Securing a position at a prestigious firm like Goldman Sachs is a highly competitive endeavor, and the waiting game after submitting your application can feel like an eternity. If you've just hit "submit" on your dream role at GS, you're likely wondering, "How long will it actually take to hear back?"
Well, let's dive into the fascinating, albeit sometimes frustrating, world of Goldman Sachs's recruitment timelines!
First things first: congratulations on taking the leap! Applying to Goldman Sachs is a significant step, and whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced professional, the anticipation is real. The truth is, there's no single, definitive answer to how long it takes to hear back, as it can vary significantly based on several factors. However, we can equip you with a detailed understanding of the process and what to expect.
The Goldman Sachs Application Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
The Goldman Sachs hiring process is known for its thoroughness, which naturally impacts the timeline. Here's a breakdown of the typical stages and the approximate timeframes you might encounter:
Step 1: The Online Application – The Initial Dive
Your First Impression: This is where you lay the groundwork. You'll fill in your personal details, academic history, GPA, and often submit a personal statement or cover letter tailoring your interest to Goldman Sachs and the specific role. You'll also upload your CV.
Timeframe: Submitting your application is instantaneous, but the initial review by recruiters can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. During peak recruiting seasons (e.g., campus hiring for internships or graduate programs), this phase might be slightly longer due to the sheer volume of applications. Don't be disheartened if you don't hear back immediately – it's standard practice.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
Step 2: Online Assessments – Testing Your Mettle
The First Filter: Many Goldman Sachs roles, especially for entry-level and engineering positions, involve online assessments. These can include:
Numerical Reasoning Tests: To assess your ability to interpret data and perform calculations.
Verbal Reasoning Tests: To evaluate your comprehension and logical reasoning from written information.
HackerRank Technical Assessments (for engineering roles): These involve coding challenges to test your technical skills, problem-solving, and algorithmic knowledge.
When to Expect Them: If your initial application is deemed suitable, you'll typically receive an invitation for these assessments within 1-3 weeks of applying.
Hearing Back After Assessments: The results of these tests are often processed relatively quickly. You might hear back regarding the next steps (or a polite "thanks, but no thanks") within a few days to a week after completing them. These tests are known to sift out a significant percentage of candidates, so passing them is a crucial milestone.
Step 3: Video Interview (HireVue) – Your Virtual Audition
Beyond the Resume: For many roles, particularly early careers, Goldman Sachs utilizes HireVue, a pre-recorded video interview platform. You'll typically be given a set amount of time to prepare (e.g., 30 seconds) and respond (e.g., 2 minutes) to a series of behavioral and sometimes role-specific questions.
When You'll Get the Invite: If you pass the online assessments, you can expect an invitation for the HireVue interview within 1-2 weeks.
Waiting for Feedback: Reviewing these video interviews takes time. You might hear back within 1-3 weeks after submitting your HireVue responses. This stage often focuses on assessing your communication skills, cultural fit, and initial understanding of the firm.
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
Step 4: Superday / On-Site Interviews – The Grand Finale (or Near It!)
The Big Day: The "Superday" is a series of back-to-back interviews, often held on-site at a Goldman Sachs office (though increasingly, they can be virtual). This is typically the final interview stage for campus hires and a significant hurdle for experienced professionals. You'll likely face multiple rounds with various professionals, from associates to managing directors.
What to Expect: These interviews delve deeper into:
Behavioral Questions: Using the STAR method is crucial here to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
Technical Questions: Specific to the role (e.g., finance concepts for investment banking, data structures and algorithms for engineering).
Case Studies: For certain roles, you might be given a business problem to solve.
When You'll Get the Invite: If you've successfully navigated the previous stages, an invitation for a Superday can come 1-4 weeks after your video interview.
The Post-Superday Wait: This is often the most nerve-wracking wait. For summer analyst roles, candidates sometimes hear back within 24-48 hours after a Superday. For other roles, it can range from a few days to 1-2 weeks, or even longer. It's not uncommon for some candidates to wait up to a month or more for a definitive answer after their final interviews. The firm is meticulously evaluating candidates, often comparing multiple strong contenders.
Step 5: Offer or Regret – The Final Word
The Moment of Truth: If you're successful, you'll typically receive a verbal offer from a recruiter, followed by a formal offer letter. This might involve a discussion around compensation and other details.
If You Don't Get the Offer: Goldman Sachs, like many large firms, may send out automated rejection emails. While it's disappointing, remember the highly competitive nature of their hiring.
Timeframe for Offer: After your final interview (Superday), a verbal offer could come within a few days to a week. The official offer letter might then follow within 1-2 weeks after the verbal confirmation and any necessary background checks or compensation discussions. However, it can sometimes take up to 2 months or even longer from the initial application to receiving an offer.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
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| How Long To Hear Back From Goldman Sachs After Application |
Factors Influencing the Timeline
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Several elements can impact how long you wait to hear back from Goldman Sachs:
Role Seniority: Junior roles (analyst, associate) often have more structured and potentially faster timelines due to larger hiring batches. More senior or specialized roles might involve a longer, more bespoke interview process.
Department/Division: Different divisions within Goldman Sachs (e.g., Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, Engineering) may have slightly different recruitment schedules and internal processes.
Volume of Applicants: During peak recruiting seasons or for highly sought-after roles, the sheer volume of applications can naturally extend review periods.
Internal Team Schedules: The availability of hiring managers, interviewers, and HR professionals can also play a role. Sometimes, key decision-makers might be traveling or occupied, leading to slight delays.
Recruiting Cycle: Goldman Sachs often hires in "batches" or cycles, especially for campus recruitment. If you apply outside these cycles, the process might be more ad-hoc and potentially longer.
Background Checks: Once an offer is extended, background checks commence. The duration of this phase can vary depending on your professional history and location, and while it doesn't impact when you "hear back" with an offer, it does impact your official start date.
Tips While You Wait
Patience is a Virtue: This cannot be stressed enough. Goldman Sachs is renowned for its thorough and sometimes lengthy hiring process.
Resist the Urge to Over-Communicate: While a polite follow-up email to your recruiter after a reasonable waiting period (e.g., a week after an interview if you haven't heard) is acceptable, avoid inundating them with emails or calls.
Keep Your Options Open: Continue to apply for other roles and pursue other opportunities. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Reflect and Prepare: Use the waiting time to reflect on your interviews. What went well? What could you improve? This can be valuable for future interviews, even if not with Goldman Sachs.
Check Your Application Status (if possible): Some firms offer online portals where you can track your application status. While it might not always provide detailed real-time updates, it can give you a general idea.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to hearing back from Goldman Sachs after an application, with quick answers:
How to check my application status for Goldman Sachs?
You can usually log into the Goldman Sachs careers portal where you submitted your application to see the current status. While it may not provide detailed information, it will indicate if your application is "under review," "interviewing," "interview complete," or "application turndown."
How to follow up with Goldman Sachs after an interview?
Send a polite thank-you email to each interviewer within 24 hours of your interview, reiterating your interest and briefly mentioning something specific you discussed. For a general status update, you can follow up with your recruiter a week to 10 days after your last interview if you haven't heard anything.
How to interpret a long wait time from Goldman Sachs?
A long wait time generally indicates one of three things: the firm is still interviewing other candidates, they are processing internal approvals (which can be lengthy), or they are holding your application as a strong backup. It doesn't necessarily mean rejection.
How to know if I've been rejected by Goldman Sachs?
You will typically receive a formal rejection email. Sometimes, the status on your online application portal will change to "application turndown." Goldman Sachs usually communicates rejections, though the timing can vary.
How to handle a competing offer while waiting for Goldman Sachs?
Politely inform your Goldman Sachs recruiter that you have received another offer and are looking for an update on your application. This can sometimes expedite their decision-making process.
How to prepare for the next steps while waiting to hear back?
Review your interview notes, research the division and team further, and continue practicing relevant technical and behavioral questions. Being prepared ensures you're ready if they reach out.
How to ask for feedback if rejected by Goldman Sachs?
While firms like Goldman Sachs often have policies against providing specific feedback due to the high volume of applications, you can politely ask your recruiter if there's any feedback they can share that would be helpful for your future career development. Don't expect a detailed critique, but sometimes general guidance might be offered.
How to stay positive during the waiting period?
Focus on what you can control: continuing your job search, networking, and enhancing your skills. Engage in activities you enjoy to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook.
How to contact a Goldman Sachs recruiter?
If you've been in communication with a recruiter, use their direct email address. If not, avoid cold-calling general firm numbers. Networking through LinkedIn might help you connect with a recruiter if you don't already have a direct contact.
How to understand the "Superday" concept at Goldman Sachs?
A Superday is an intensive, often full-day, interview event where candidates go through multiple rounds of interviews with various professionals from the firm. It's usually the final stage for campus hires and a critical step for experienced professionals, allowing the firm to assess candidates thoroughly in a compressed timeframe.
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