The guide to getting a job at Goldman Sachs
Landing a role at Goldman Sachs isn’t just competitive—it’s a full-scale challenge that requires more than ambition. It demands preparation, precision, and a mindset built for high performance. Goldman isn’t looking for candidates who simply want a job in finance. They want people who understand their business, who can think clearly under pressure, and who bring a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and team-oriented behavior. This guide breaks down how to approach each step of the process in a way that aligns with what Goldman truly values.
Apply with purpose
Before you even click “Submit” on your application, you need to be clear about what Goldman Sachs does, where you fit into that structure, and how your background supports your application. Your resume and cover letter are not checkboxes. They are your first pitch.
Your resume must show impact, not activity. Instead of “Worked on a project for the finance team,” write, “Built a 3-statement financial model that supported strategic review of a $15M acquisition.” Recruiters want evidence you can do the job now, not just that you watched someone else do it.
Each bullet should reflect clear ownership and outcomes. Begin each line with a strong verb, include numbers to show scale or impact, and avoid vague jargon.
Follow a structured format—one page, reverse chronological, professional font, and bullet points that quantify results. No inconsistencies. No typos. Attention to detail is table stakes.
What they’re looking for:
- Demonstrated interest in investment banking (IB) through internships, courses, or side projects
- Structured and quantified experiences
- A career story that connects past experiences with future goals
For instance, saying “Worked on financial analysis” is vague. Instead, write something like, “Built a three-statement financial model that supported a $40M capital raise and presented insights to senior leadership.” Quantifying achievements adds credibility and shows the real-world value of your work.
Your resume should follow a strict format: one page, reverse chronological order, and clear section headings. Begin with education, especially if you’re a student or recent graduate. List university, major, graduation year, and GPA if it’s competitive. Include coursework like Corporate Finance or Financial Accounting only if relevant.
How to structure your resume:
- Header: Name, contact info, LinkedIn (professional username only)
- Education: University, major, GPA, relevant courses (e.g., Corporate Finance, Valuation)
- Experience: Chronological, with quantifiable bullet points. Start each bullet with a strong verb: built, analyzed, led, streamlined.
- Leadership and Activities: Finance clubs, case competitions, relevant volunteering
- Skills & Certifications: Excel, PowerPoint, Bloomberg, CFA Level I (if applicable)
Under work experience, focus on bullet points that start with strong action verbs. Use numbers to indicate scope: revenue analyzed, size of deals supported, or results achieved. If you were in a finance club or took part in a case competition, highlight leadership, teamwork, and analytical thinking.
In your cover letter, go beyond the buzzwords. Goldman Sachs has a distinct culture and you need to speak to it directly. Referencing one of their landmark deals or digital transformation efforts is a strong signal that you’re paying attention. If they launched a green bond initiative, talk about what that means in the context of ESG trends and client strategy.
The cover letter must complement, not repeat, the resume. Begin by stating the specific role you’re applying for and why Goldman Sachs stands out to you. Mention something specific—perhaps a deal the firm advised on or an innovation in its digital banking platform. Then, explain why your background fits the team. Link your skills, values, and goals to theirs.
Cover letter tips:
- Be specific. If Goldman Sachs recent role in an EV-sector IPO excites you, explain why.
- Tell a story. Highlight a key moment that shaped your decision to go into IB.
- Reflect their language: use terms like “client exposure,” “deal execution,” or “financial modeling.”
A good cover letter is like a pitch. It should:
- Show you understand the firm’s DNA
- Explain why you’re a fit, beyond the resume
- Prove you’ve already taken initiative to learn about IB
Finish by summarizing your fit and expressing enthusiasm to discuss further. Keep it clear and professional, but let your personality come through. Banks want people who are motivated and curious, not just polished.
Break down online assessments
Once your resume passes the screen, the online assessments start. These are not gimmicks. They are a crucial filter for assessing how you process information, solve problems, and make decisions under stress.
Numerical Reasoning: Expect complex tables, financial statements, and ratio problems. You might be asked to calculate operating margins or adjust net income for tax changes. Time pressure is real. The point isn’t just whether you can calculate—it’s whether you can calculate quickly and accurately.
Verbal Reasoning: Can you distill key points from dense texts? You’ll read a few paragraphs about a corporate event or regulation, then answer logic-based questions. It tests business comprehension and clarity of thought.
Situational Judgment: These questions explore your response to real-world workplace issues. Think about how you’d navigate two conflicting deadlines or handle a team member taking credit for your work. Goldman Sachs wants maturity, accountability, and high ethical standards.
The theory advises: “Approach each scenario from the standpoint of a junior banker who understands client trust, team dynamics, and long-term firm reputation.” Always anchor decisions in professionalism.
Prepare with intent for the HireVue interview
The HireVue isn’t just about recording good answers. It’s about demonstrating you can think on your feet and articulate complex ideas in simple language. You have one shot per question, which means your structure must be bulletproof.
Prepare 8–10 stories using the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Choose stories that cover leadership, failure, conflict resolution, collaboration, and initiative. Practice until you can deliver them conversationally.
Know the firm’s current focus. If they’ve published a report on blockchain or led a major SPAC deal, be ready to discuss it. Use their own words and frameworks where appropriate.
From the theory: “Rehearse answers aloud, record yourself, and analyze your tone and structure. Employers are testing for presence, not just content.”
Master Superday interviews
Superday: the final gate
If you make it through to Superday, you’re in the top tier of candidates. But this is where the real scrutiny begins. You’ll face multiple interviews back-to-back with analysts, associates, and sometimes VPs or MDs. The day is intense because the job is intense.
Technical interviews: You might be asked to build a DCF from scratch, explain why one valuation method is better than another, or comment on the impact of interest rate changes on company valuation. Know how the three financial statements flow together. Know how depreciation affects the cash flow statement. Know what unlevered free cash flow is.
For technicals, you should be ready to:
- Build or walk through a DCF model from memory
- Discuss how working capital impacts free cash flow
- Compare valuation techniques (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions)
- Analyze the pros and cons of a recent acquisition
Sample question: “When walking through technicals, don’t recite definitions. Demonstrate fluency by applying concepts to realistic scenarios.”
Behavioral questions often go deeper than the surface. If you say you handled conflict in a team, they might ask what you would do differently next time. If you mention a leadership experience, they may ask how you delegated responsibility or how you measured success.
Live scenarios: You may be asked to advise a fictional client or analyze a pitchbook in real time. Expect to be interrupted. Expect follow-ups. They’re looking at how you think, not just what you say. For instance: “A private equity client is considering a minority investment in a high-growth e-commerce firm. What factors would you evaluate?” Your response should show structured thinking, business logic, and an understanding of risk.
Deepen your technical toolkit
This is where candidates with surface-level prep fall short. You need to understand financial statements, yes. But also how to manipulate them to evaluate a company’s performance.
Learn how to:
- Adjust for non-recurring items
- Normalize EBITDA
- Calculate working capital impacts
- Forecast capital expenditures and understand CapEx intensity
Know the nuances of valuation. From the theory: “Use a mix of DCF, trading comps, and precedent transactions. Each method has context-specific pros and cons. Choose based on industry maturity, deal type, and available data.”
Be fluent in LBO basics. Know why IRR matters, how leverage affects returns, and how to think about exit multiples. Even if you’re not interviewing for a PE-focused role, it shows holistic understanding.
Read the markets like a banker
Goldman Sachs doesn’t operate in a vacuum. They are closely tied to macro trends, capital flows, and regulatory decisions. You should be too.
If inflation is rising, what happens to valuations? If M&A slows in one sector, what might be heating up in another? Track equity and debt markets, read sell-side equity research, and follow Goldman Sachs’ own publications.
From the theory: “Use frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces or SWOT when analyzing deals. They show structured thinking and strategic awareness.”
Go deeper on major deals. Don’t just name them—analyze them. Why was a merger accretive or dilutive? How would you defend that logic in front of a client?
Network with strategy, not spam
Networking is not an afterthought. It’s a multiplier. Most offers are extended to candidates who were on someone’s radar before interviews began.
Reach out to alumni and employees with thoughtful messages. Ask what surprised them in the role. Reference specific deals or news that shows you did your research.
Attend firm events and follow up with substance. A message that says, “Thank you for explaining your group’s focus on cross-border M&A. I looked into the Fiat-Chrysler deal you mentioned—fascinating use of reverse merger structure,” gets remembered.
From the theory: “Networking is not about extraction. It’s about credibility. Show that you took action based on their advice.”
Control your brand and voice
Your online presence matters. Recruiters and interviewers will Google you. Make sure what they find aligns with the professional image you want to convey.
Optimize your LinkedIn profile. Highlight financial modeling, deal experience, and sector interests. Share insights or comment on industry developments to show you’re engaged.
Clean up anything questionable across other platforms. Unprofessional usernames, public rants, or outdated bios are red flags. This is a trust business.
Build the mindset of a top performer
Interviews aren’t performances. They’re pressure tests. The best candidates prepare like athletes. That means:
- Practicing under realistic conditions
- Journaling after interviews to extract lessons
- Managing stress through breathing or mindfulness
From the theory: “You don’t rise to the occasion. You fall to your level of preparation.”
Learn the structure of the firm
You can’t speak Goldman’s language if you don’t understand the architecture. The firm includes:
- Investment Banking Division (IBD): Capital raising, M&A, strategic advisory
- Global Markets: Trading, risk management, liquidity provision
- Asset Management: Investment solutions for institutions and individuals
- Consumer & Wealth Management: Financial planning, Marcus platform, private banking
Know what each division does and where you want to be. Tailor your prep to that lane.
Break in from anywhere
Non-target background? You can still make it. But your prep has to be airtight. The theory emphasizes: “Your resume becomes your story, your network becomes your edge, and your effort becomes your differentiator.”
Get involved in finance clubs, do real projects, and win competitions. Don’t just say you’re interested in IB—prove it.
Are You Ready for a Career a Top Company?
Answer three questions and get a personalized breakdown.
Final thoughts: bringing it all together
Getting into Goldman Sachs isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, structure, and stamina.
You need to be sharp on paper, insightful in person, and steady under pressure. That takes more than prep. It takes perspective.
The process is long, and rejection is common. But everything you do in preparation makes you better. Better communicator. Better analyst. Better teammate.
The ones who make it are the ones who don’t stop.