How Many Applications to Goldman Sachs: Navigating the Toughest Hiring Landscape
Hey there, aspiring finance professional! Are you dreaming of a career at a prestigious firm like Goldman Sachs? If so, you're not alone. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of individuals globally share that same ambition. But have you ever wondered just how many people you're up against? The answer might surprise you and truly emphasize the competitive nature of securing a role at this financial giant.
Goldman Sachs is consistently one of the most sought-after employers in the world, attracting an astounding volume of applications each year. For instance, in 2022, the firm received over one million applications globally for various roles. For its highly coveted summer internship programs, the numbers are equally staggering, with over 360,000 applications for the 2025 internship class alone, marking a significant increase from previous years. This level of competition means that fewer than 1% of applicants are typically accepted for internships, making it even more competitive than gaining admission to an Ivy League university like Harvard.
So, if you're serious about joining Goldman Sachs, you need to understand that simply submitting an application isn't enough. You need a strategic, well-researched, and impeccably executed approach. This guide will walk you through the journey, step-by-step, helping you understand the process and maximize your chances.
Step 1: Understanding the Landscape and Your "Why Goldman Sachs?"
Before you even think about clicking "apply," let's get one thing straight: Why Goldman Sachs? This isn't just a generic interview question; it's the core of your motivation. Goldman Sachs looks for candidates who not only possess exceptional skills but also deeply resonate with their culture and values.
Sub-heading: Researching the Firm's Core Values and Business Units
Goldman Sachs prides itself on its core values: Partnership, Integrity, Client Service, and Excellence. Take the time to genuinely understand what these mean in practice. Explore their annual reports, read news about their recent deals, and delve into their various business units (Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, Engineering, etc.). Which areas genuinely excite you? How do your skills and aspirations align with their mission and current initiatives?
For example, if you're passionate about sustainable finance, research Goldman Sachs's efforts in ESG investing and how your background could contribute. This deep dive will not only help you articulate your "why" but also inform your networking efforts and interview responses.
Step 2: Crafting an Impeccable Application - Your First Impression
Your online application is your initial handshake with Goldman Sachs. With hundreds of thousands of applications, it's crucial to make yours stand out from the crowd.
Sub-heading: Tailoring Your Resume/CV
Forget generic resumes. Your resume for Goldman Sachs needs to be meticulously tailored to the specific role you're applying for.
Keywords are King: Analyze the job description and incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your experience and skills sections.
Quantify Your Achievements: Instead of saying "managed projects," say "managed 5 projects, resulting in a 15% increase in efficiency and a $10,000 cost saving." Numbers speak volumes.
Conciseness and Clarity: Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds looking at a resume. Ensure it's easy to read, uses a clean format, and is limited to one page if possible (especially for entry-level roles).
No Errors Allowed: Proofread, proofread, and then proofread again. Grammatical errors or typos are immediate red flags.
Sub-heading: The Power of a Compelling Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your opportunity to tell a story that your resume can't. It's not just a rehash of your CV.
Personalize It: Address it to a specific person if possible (though often difficult for large firms). Even a general but well-researched opening about why this specific role at Goldman Sachs is better than a boilerplate.
Connect the Dots: Clearly articulate how your experiences, skills, and aspirations align with the role and Goldman Sachs's values.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of claiming "strong leadership skills," provide a brief, impactful example of a time you demonstrated leadership.
Keep it Concise: A maximum of 300 words is often recommended. Get straight to the point and make every word count.
Step 3: Conquering the Online Assessments
Many Goldman Sachs applications, particularly for entry-level and engineering roles, involve online assessments. These are designed to evaluate your aptitude, problem-solving skills, and sometimes technical knowledge.
Sub-heading: Types of Assessments You Might Encounter
Numerical Reasoning Tests: These assess your ability to interpret and analyze numerical data, often presented in graphs and tables.
Verbal Reasoning Tests: These measure your comprehension and critical thinking skills by evaluating your ability to draw logical conclusions from written passages.
HackerRank (for Engineering Roles): If you're applying for an engineering or technology role, be prepared for coding challenges that test your programming skills and algorithmic thinking.
Situational Judgment Tests: These present you with hypothetical workplace scenarios and ask you to choose the most appropriate course of action, assessing your judgment and alignment with the firm's culture.
Sub-heading: Preparation is Key
Practice Makes Perfect: Utilize online practice tests. Many platforms offer free or paid resources specifically designed for investment bank assessments.
Time Management: These tests are often timed, so practice working quickly and accurately.
Understand the Format: Familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the platform used.
Step 4: Acing the Video Interview (HireVue)
The video interview, often conducted via platforms like HireVue, is a crucial screening stage. You'll typically have a limited time to prepare and respond to pre-recorded questions.
Sub-heading: Mastering the Art of the Pre-Recorded Interview
Practice, Practice, Practice: Record yourself answering common interview questions. This helps you refine your delivery, body language, and pacing.
STAR Method: For behavioral questions, always use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This ensures you provide concise, impactful examples.
Dress Professionally: Treat it like an in-person interview. Dress in business attire.
Find a Quiet, Well-Lit Space: Minimize distractions and ensure good lighting.
Maintain Eye Contact: Look directly at the camera to simulate eye contact with an interviewer.
Be Authentic and Enthusiastic: Let your personality shine through. Enthusiasm for the role and the firm is vital.
Step 5: Excelling at the Superday
If you make it to the Superday, congratulations! You're among a very select group. This is typically a full day of intensive interviews, either in person or virtually.
Sub-heading: What to Expect on Superday
Multiple Rounds of Interviews: You'll likely have several back-to-back interviews with professionals from different levels within the firm (analysts, associates, vice presidents, even managing directors).
Mix of Question Types: Expect a blend of behavioral, technical, and potentially case study questions.
Behavioral Questions: These delve deeper into your past experiences, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and resilience. Examples: "Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it." "Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member."
Technical Questions (Finance Roles): For finance roles, you'll be tested on concepts like financial modeling, valuation techniques (DCF, comparable company analysis), accounting principles, and market knowledge. Be prepared to discuss current market events and your perspective on them.
Case Studies: Some roles may involve case studies, requiring you to analyze a business scenario and propose solutions. This tests your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in a practical context.
Brainteasers: While less common than in the past, some interviews might still include brainteasers to assess your critical thinking and ability to approach unconventional problems.
Sub-heading: Strategies for Success
Deep Dive into Your Resume: Be able to speak confidently and in detail about every single point on your resume. Don't just list experiences; explain the impact you made.
Know Your Technicals Cold: For finance roles, review all relevant financial concepts. Practice explaining them clearly and concisely.
Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Always have insightful questions prepared to ask your interviewers. This demonstrates genuine interest and engagement. Ask about their experiences, the team culture, specific projects, or career development opportunities.
Networking, Even on Superday: Be polite and engaging with everyone you meet, from administrative staff to senior professionals.
Show Your Passion and Fit: Beyond technical skills, interviewers are looking for individuals who will be a good cultural fit and genuinely excited about working at Goldman Sachs.
Step 6: The Waiting Game and Beyond
After the Superday, there's often a period of waiting. This can be nerve-wracking, but it's important to remain patient and professional.
Sub-heading: Sending Thank-You Notes
Timely Follow-Up: Send a personalized thank-you email to each interviewer within 24 hours of your Superday.
Reference Specifics: Briefly mention something specific you discussed with them to make your note stand out and demonstrate you were engaged.
Reiterate Your Interest: Clearly restate your strong interest in the role and the firm.
Sub-heading: If You Don't Get an Offer This Time...
The competition at Goldman Sachs is incredibly intense. If you don't receive an offer, it's not a reflection of your potential or worth. Many highly qualified individuals apply.
Seek Feedback (if possible): While firms rarely provide detailed feedback, if there's an opportunity to ask for general areas of improvement, take it.
Continue to Develop: Identify areas where you can strengthen your skills, experiences, or knowledge.
Don't Give Up: Many successful professionals had to apply multiple times to their dream firms. Use it as a learning experience and reapply when you're ready.
Explore Other Opportunities: There are many fantastic career paths in finance and beyond.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to stand out in the Goldman Sachs application process?
Tailor your resume and cover letter with quantifiable achievements, network effectively, thoroughly research the firm, and practice extensively for all assessment stages.
How to prepare for Goldman Sachs online assessments?
Utilize online practice platforms for numerical, verbal, and situational judgment tests. For engineering roles, practice coding challenges on HackerRank or similar platforms.
How to ace the Goldman Sachs HireVue interview?
Practice answering behavioral questions using the STAR method, ensure a professional setting and appearance, maintain eye contact with the camera, and be authentic and enthusiastic.
How to answer "Why Goldman Sachs?" in an interview?
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the firm's values, culture, and specific business units, and clearly articulate how your skills and aspirations align with their mission.
How to prepare for technical questions in a Goldman Sachs interview?
Review fundamental financial concepts, accounting principles, valuation techniques, and be prepared to discuss current market events and your perspectives on them.
How to handle brainteasers in a Goldman Sachs interview?
Approach them logically, explain your thought process clearly, and don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions. The process is often more important than the "right" answer.
How to network effectively for Goldman Sachs?
Leverage LinkedIn and alumni networks, attend campus events, build genuine relationships, and always follow up with thoughtful thank-you notes.
How to follow up after a Goldman Sachs interview?
Send personalized thank-you emails to each interviewer within 24 hours, briefly referencing a specific point of discussion and reiterating your strong interest.
How to improve your chances of getting a Goldman Sachs internship?
Apply early, maintain a strong academic record, gain relevant internship or extracurricular experience, and demonstrate a genuine passion for finance and the firm.
How to deal with rejection from Goldman Sachs?
View it as a learning opportunity, seek general feedback if available, identify areas for improvement, continue to develop your skills, and don't let it deter you from pursuing future opportunities.
