Breaking Into Goldman Sachs: My Summer Analyst Journey

Landing a summer analyst position at Goldman Sachs was nerve-wracking, but ultimately rewarding. Here's the real story of how I navigated their rigorous application process, from HackerRank to offer letter.

The Application Timeline

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Here's how my 2.5-month journey unfolded:

• 10 August 2024: Applied for Summer Analyst Internship 2025
• 12 August 2024: HackerRank Challenge - Programming-focused assessment (120 minutes, 3-4 problems)
• 4 October 2024: HireVue Video Interview - Behavioural questions + one technical explanation challenge
• 15 October 2024: HR Confirmation - Resume details verification
• 23 October 2024: Superday - Two 45-minute in-person interviews
• 31 October 2024: Offer Received! (One week post-interview)

Stage 1: The HackerRank Hurdle

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I chose the programming track over math + programming since I wasn't targeting quant roles. The challenge included 3-4 data structure problems ranging from easy to medium difficulty.

Key tip: Manage your time wisely - 120 minutes sounds generous until you're debugging edge cases!

Stage 2: HireVue

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After nearly 1.5 months of radio silence, the HireVue invitation arrived. This one-way video interview was make-or-break as no retakes are allowed. The behavioural questions were standard, but the technical question caught my attention: "Explain a complex technical concept to someone without a tech background."

Pro tip: Speak slower than you think you need to. When cameras are rolling, we naturally speed up and lose clarity.

Stage 3: Engineering Superday

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The superday format was intense but fair: two 45-minute interviews comprising of one behavioural and one technical. Both conducted in-person with two interviewers each.

Behavioural Round

This wasn't your typical "tell me about yourself" session. They dug deep into situational responses and my tech internship experiences. The question that stuck with me: "How would you explain what you do to your parents?" - clearly a recurring theme about simplifying complexity.

They wrapped up with the classic: "Why should we choose you among other candidates?"

Technical Round

After a brief 5-minute breather, it was time for the technical round. Here's what they threw at me:

• SQL Challenge: Medium-difficulty problem involving JOINs and aggregate functions (whiteboard setting)
• Data Structures: Knowledge check on fundamentals
• Algorithm Problem: Medium LeetCode-style question (whiteboard setting)
• System Design: Simple scenario-based question
• Testing Discussion: How I approach code testing
• Unique Project: I presented my machine unlearning research

The whiteboard setting added pressure, but talking through my thought process helped both me and the interviewers follow my logic.

Post Interview

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I left feeling cautiously optimistic but tried not to get my hopes up. My first in-person interview experience was nerve-wracking, but I felt I'd given my best effort.

Just one week later, the offer email arrived. The relief was overwhelming as my months of preparation had finally paid off.

Three Key Takeaways for Aspiring Candidates

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1. Master Your Data Structures Fundamentals

Know when to use each one and understand their trade-offs inside and out. It is truly understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.

2. Communication is Everything

Maintain eye contact, verbalise your thought process before coding, and practice explaining complex concepts simply. The recurring theme of "breaking down complex problems into simpler tasks" should tell you everything about what they value.

3. Technical Skills Get You to the Table, Soft Skills Get You the Job

Goldman Sachs values candidates who can bridge the gap between complex technology and business impact. I feel that being technically excellent isn't enough. More importantly, your soft skills will carry you through the interview process.

Coming up next: My 10-week experience as a Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst - the projects, the culture, and the lessons learned. Stay tuned!