This interview process is for an Analyst-level Software Engineer position at Goldman Sachs. It is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the firm.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·1 - 3 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000
Interview time·120 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice 2-3 problems daily.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Dynamic Programming, Recursion). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Solve at least 2-3 problems per day.
Phase 02 of 04
Week 3: System Design basics. Focus on scalability, databases, caching.
Week 3: Dive into System Design concepts. Study topics like scalability, reliability, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching, load balancing, and API design. Review common system design interview questions.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 4: Behavioral preparation using STAR method. Research firm values.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Reflect on projects, teamwork, challenges, and leadership experiences. Research Goldman Sachs's values and mission.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 5: Mock interviews and final review.
Week 5: Mock interviews. Practice coding problems under timed conditions and simulate behavioral interviews. Get feedback from peers or mentors. Review any areas you feel weak in.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Technical Interview - Data Structures And Algorithms · 45 min · Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer
This round typically involves a coding challenge, often presented as a problem to solve on a shared online editor or whiteboard. The interviewer will assess your ability to translate a problem into code, your understanding of data structures and algorithms, and your approach to testing and optimizing your solution. Expect to discuss the time and space complexity of your code.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
Reverse a linked list.
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview - System Design · 45 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round assesses your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be given a high-level problem (e.g., design Twitter's feed, design a URL shortener) and expected to break it down, discuss requirements, propose a high-level design, and then dive deeper into specific components. Focus on scalability, reliability, and trade-offs.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a rate limiter.
Design a distributed cache.
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 30 min · Hiring Manager / Recruiter
This round focuses on your past experiences, motivations, and how you align with Goldman Sachs's culture. You'll be asked behavioral questions that require you to provide specific examples from your career. Be prepared to discuss your strengths, weaknesses, career goals, and why you are interested in this specific role and company.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member.
Describe a project where you took initiative.
What are your long-term career goals?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Goldman Sachs loops
Other guides
