The good news is that if you’ve received an invitation to a Goldman Sachs superday, then you’ve made it a significant amount of the way through the process, as it’s the final stage of recruitment for the investment banking division’s summer analyst program.
On the other hand, you’ll really need to put your best foot forward at the superday, as typically only about 25% to 35% of candidates who participate in one receive an offer.
Here is everything you need to know to make the most of your opportunity at a Goldman Sachs superday and get hired as a fall intern or summer analyst, which often leads to a full-time offer after you graduate.
Goldman’s recruitment funnel
While Goldman Sachs used to interview students over the phone or in person on campus at select universities for first-round interviews, now applicants who are selected for first-round interviews for the bank’s summer analyst program are asked to participate ina prerecorded video interview via HireVue.
The summer analyst candidates who Goldman selects based on theirprerecorded interviews to continue the process are invited to come into one of the bank’s offices for a series of in-person interviews known as a superday.
“The recruiting teampartners with our investment bankers to hire our summer analyst class, which ultimately becomes our full-time investment banking analyst class,” said Annie Yearwood, vice president and head of Americas investment banking campus recruiting at Goldman Sachs. “We initially start speaking to students [at target universities] during their freshman and sophom*ore yearsto introduce them to opportunities at the firm. The interview process, including the superday, is primarily for college sophom*ores or juniors applying to our summer analyst program.
“For investment banking, we do hire for full-time graduate roles as well, but it’s quite small, only if there are still openings after we’ve made offers to our [summer analyst] interns, who make up most of our sourcing for each full-time analyst class,” she said.
Goldman Sachs superday schedule
Goldman hosts superdays from August to December, typically every other week.
Superdays range in size, usually 24 to 32 candidates in New York, where the majority of summer analyst candidates are interviewing for either the Americas financing group or the classic coverage group.
There are also internship opportunities at regional offices, which host superdays with somewhere between eight and 16 candidates. These include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Houston and Irving, Texas, as well as Toronto and Calgary in Canada.
Goldman pays for superday participants’ airfare and hotel room. Those who arrive early have an opportunity to contactemployees they’ve been in contact with, typically those who share the same alma mater. There is a candidate lounge at each office where candidates have the opportunity to relax and prepare for the interview. There's complimentary WiFi, in case you're wondering, and recruiters are on hand to answer any questions they may have.
Each candidate will have three 30-minute interviews with two investment banking executives conducing each one, meaning they will ultimately meet with a total of six bankers, primarily vice presidents and managing directors, over the course of the superday.
The interviews consist of structured questions designed to gauge candidates’ core competencies and technical questions geared toward testknowledge ofinvestment banking and the markets.
Superday participants typically hear back from Goldman, one way or the other, within 24-48 hours. On average, candidates who receive offers get back to the bank with an answer within a week or two.
Goldman invites many of those who accept an offer to come into the office in February or March.
“It’s an opportunity for candidates to come in once they’ve accepted their offers and meet with bankers in different groups prior to their summer analyst program,” Yearwood said.
After the 10-week summer analyst program, Goldman typically extends full-time offers the following week.
Keys to superday success
Summer analyst candidates can and should prepare prior to the day-long series of interviews.
“Preparation is incredibly important here – I don’t think a candidate can ever over-prepare for a superday,” Yearwood said. “They can take advantage of various sources: leverage the internet, reach out to their alumni network and upper classmen who interned in investment banksand have them speak to the opportunities and coach them.
When it comes to the actual superday interviews, it is important for candidates to be able to share their story and describe their resume in a concise yet compelling way without embellishing, Yearwood said.
“We want to hire candidates from all different backgrounds, and it’s important for us to understand why investment banking appeals tothem, so they can talk about a particular M&A deal in the marketplace that interests them, or share something that demonstrates their understanding of various basic valuation methodologies,” she said.
Yearwood said that Goldman is not just looking for candidates with finance majors or previous finance internships. The bank is looking for qualitative characteristics such as leadership and communication skills, hard work, self-motivation and a passion for learning finance.
“As college students, they can demonstrate those skills through extracurricular activities, course work and work, from an internship to a job on campus,” Yearwood said. “They need to understand what the investment banking role entails and why their skill set is transferable and makes them a good fit for the role.”
Those excellent students with a first in economics and ten internships? They’re referred to as “plug and play” and not the ideal, according to a former Goldman recruiter. He says the firm really wants people with unusual profiles – it’s all about trying to attract a diverse group of applicants who’ve studied history, English literature or another fascinating subject instead of just finance.
Goldman Sachs superday pitfalls to avoid
There are various pitfalls that unsuccessful superday candidates have fallen into, effectively taking themselves out of the running. Here are four of the most common, according to Yearwood:
- Focusing on “I” not “we.” Teamwork is incredibly important for summer analysts, so not having specific examples of how you’ve approached team dynamics can hurt your candidacy.
- Lacking sufficient preparation.Expect a mix of technical, cultural-fit and behavioral questions. Candidates need to be able to articulate why they want to work in investment banking specifically at Goldman. If you can’t do so convincingly and demonstrate knowledge of the firm, recruiters will question whether you’re really interested in the job. If you’re interested, we have a full list of every conceivable question you could be asked at a Goldman Sachs interview here. That said, there is such a thing as over-preparing, especially if it means that you come into the superday exhausted.
- Speaking to an article or interview but only knowing the headline. The investment bankers who conduct superday interviews are trained to ask follow-up questions, so making a surface-level observation or reference without the ability to back it up or go deeper could backfire.
- Lacking presence. Not being able to build a rapport with the people conducting an interview is a death knell for your chances of landing a summer analyst position.
Photo credit: Tony Tremblay/GettyImages
FAQs
While Superday is the final step in the interview process, it isn't a time to relax. Considering that Goldman Sachs is reported to have a 1.5% acceptance rate into its internship programs, and JPMorgan only had around 400 openings for nearly 50,000 applicants in 2021, landing a spot at a major bank is no easy feat.
What percentage of Superday candidates get offers? ›
Regardless if it's a JPM Superday or a UBS Superday, firms aim to hire around 25%-50% of the candidates interviewed. Of course, it completely depends on the firm and the pool of candidates at the Superday.
How long does Goldman Sachs take to reply after Superday? ›
Superday participants typically hear back from Goldman, one way or the other, within 24-48 hours. On average, candidates who receive offers get back to the bank with an answer within a week or two.
What to expect from Goldman Sachs Superday? ›
Superdays typically evaluate candidates by having three individuals interview candidates, each 30 minutes maximum. These interviews can include individuals such as Analysts, Associates, and often Vice-Presidents asking candidates questions on their motivations for application.
What percentage of people get hired Goldman Sachs? ›
Among the revelations is the fact that every open job at the bank receives 300 applicants, a number suggesting that the average person applying to work at the bank has only a 0.33% chance of being successful. The good news is that it's easier to get any job at Goldman than an internship in particular.
Who gets paid the most at Goldman Sachs? ›
Does everyone get invited to Superday? ›
A Superday is the final stage in the recruitment process for analyst and associate level positions in investment banking. Only the top candidates who have demonstrated best performance during the initial rounds and assessments are invited.
How do you stand out on a superday? ›
Superday: Success Tips
- Know the technicals, but also market yourself.
- Make a personal connection with the person interviewing you. ...
- Review answers to all the common questions.
- Research the firm and know what separates them in the market.
- Prepare questions on the firm.
- Know your personal story inside out.
The term “Superday” is used in the finance industry to denote the final round of interviews in the investment banking recruiting process. This day consists of back-to-back interviews with various bankers at the firm. It is common to interview with bankers of different seniority within different industry groups.
How long does it take to make a VP at Goldman Sachs? ›
Promotion Time: If you perform well, it might take 3-4 years to reach the next level of Vice President.
Once Goldman Sachs says that you're selected , they now won't backout from their words. Usually they'll take a month to discuss the salary and then a week or two to finally give you offer letter.
Do you get a call or email after superday? ›
Following stressful hours at Superday, the offer letters could come into your email within one to two days. If not, it can take longer, around one to two weeks depending on each firm.
Is it prestigious to work for Goldman Sachs? ›
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Goldman Sachs is widely known as the most prestigious investment bank on Wall Street. The bank's interns receive phenomenal training, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to rotate across many groups and desks.
How do you ace a superday interview? ›
Top tips for a successful Superday
- Make sure you prepare for tackling the “Why” questions. ...
- Practice financial modeling and technical concepts. ...
- Practice and rehearse the most commonly asked interview questions. ...
- Study the bank that you are interviewing for. ...
- Research the culture of the bank. ...
- Be cool (and normal).
If your application is under consideration, Goldman Sachs recruiting will invite you to complete a video interview. Learn more about video interviewing best practices.
Is it harder to get into Goldman Sachs than Harvard? ›
Bagging a job at Goldman Sachs (GS)' is a phenomenon rarer than receiving an acceptance letter from Harvard University.
Which college does Goldman Sachs hire from most? ›
Top Schools
- The University of Pennsylvania is one of the top schools for Goldman Sachs, Citigroup (C), and Credit Suisse (CS). ...
- New York University (NYU) is right with the University of Pennsylvania in terms of where investment banks most frequently recruit new employees.
The average age at Goldman Sachs is 28: youthful promotions are an inevitability. Meanwhile, Goldman's giant MD class, which is skewed towards trading, has a message of its own: that Goldman has promoted so many people suggests it's working hard to retain them after a difficult year.
Does Goldman Sachs pay better than JP Morgan? ›
Salaries. Of the top 3 common jobs between the two companies, J.P. Morgan salaries averaged $5,938 higher than Goldman Sachs.
Does Goldman Sachs pay more than JP Morgan? ›
Key Takeaways. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) has outperformed Goldman Sachs (GS) slightly over the last five years in terms of stock price. JPM does pay a higher dividend yield at 2.2%, versus the 1.4% paid by GS. Market cap-wise, JPM is over 3.5 times the size of GS.
Total value of sign-on bonuses paid during 2020: Goldman Sachs International made eight sign-on payments to material risk takers in 2020, worth a combined $2.5m. The highest individual award was $840k.
Should I wear a tie to a Superday? ›
Men should wear a dress shirt, slacks, dress shoes and properly matching accessories, such as a tie and belt and a suit or blazer with dark, muted colours. Women should stick with a suit — slacks or a skirt on the bottom, a blouse and a blazer on top.
Should you send thank you emails after superday? ›
Sending a Thank You Email After a Super Day Interview
The decision to hire you was probably made before you left the room. Even though, you will likely gain nothing from sending a thank you email (even a reply) you should it anyway. The motive here when sending this email is to mitigate risk.
How do I pass an investment banking Superday? ›
Top 10 tips for a successful Superday
Rehearse your answers to the most common investment banking interview questions. Research the bank and understand what makes them unique, the deals they've worked on, and their culture. Network with professionals at the bank before and during the event as much as possible.
How many candidates make it to the final interview stage? ›
You may wonder how many candidates make it to the final interview, but the number usually varies depending on the company. On average, about two to four candidates make it to the final interview. For the final interview, employers usually invite individuals who performed well in previous interviews.
What is the final round of interview at Goldman Sachs? ›
Superday (Final Round Interview)
The superday at Goldman Sachs and similar banks typically consists of 3-4 back-to-back interviews. These interviews will likely contain a mix of behavioral and technical finance questions.
Is getting a final interview good? ›
A final interview is one of your last chances to make a positive impression on a hiring manager or supervisor, and excellent responses to their questions could increase your chances of receiving a job offer.
How much does VP 1 at Goldman Sachs make? ›
Average Goldman Sachs Vice President yearly pay in New York is approximately $157,939, which is 7% above the national average.
How much is a bonus for VP in Goldman Sachs? ›
That's despite the fact that at Goldman, VPs scored as much as $565,000 on their base of $250,000, taking their 2021 paycheck to $815,000, according to Litquidity. The information provided by Litquidity only includes numbers where the data points were confirmed by multiple sources.
Who is the youngest VP at Goldman Sachs? ›
Wajih Ahmed joined Goldman Sachs' London office in 2016 when he was just 18 years old.
Among investment banks, Goldman Sachs picked undergraduates most heavily from nearby New York University. Goldman Sachs prefers Ivy League schools, with Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia ranking third through fifth among employees with bachelor's degrees.
Does Goldman ask for GPA? ›
Your cumulative grade / GPA as recognized by the university in which you are currently enrolled. Your motivation for applying in 300 words or less. Information regarding your proficiency of other languages. A current CV / resume in one of the following formats, Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format, Text or PDF.
Why is Goldman Sachs declining? ›
Goldman Sachs (GS) shares slipped close to 2% after reporting declining earnings stemming from losses in its consumer loans division as well as lower demand for investment banking. Goldman Sachs' revenue fell to $12.22 billion, down from $12.93 billion a year ago and lower than the projections of $12.8 billion.
How do you follow up after a superday interview? ›
After going through the superday experience and meeting both analysts and senior bankers, I am convinced that [FIRM_NAME] offers an unparalleled cultural and professional experience. I look forward to hearing from the firm regarding next steps and would love to stay in touch. I hope you enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Why do hiring managers call instead of email? ›
Calls allow you to show your authority
By calling your candidate personally rather than sending them an email, you are emphasizing how much you care about the candidate and their job search. Once they realize that you're taking the process as seriously as they are, they will not want to work with any other recruiters.
Does Evercore pay more than Goldman Sachs? ›
Earlier this month, Evercore hiked starting salaries for first year analysts to $120k, $10k more than Goldman Sachs and $20k more than most other banks.
What are all the salaries at Goldman Sachs? ›
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Jobs by Salary
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|
| Job Title:Software Engineer | Range:$76k - $144k | Average:$106,217 |
| Vice President (VP), Operations | Range:$70k - $168k | Average:$111,986 |
| Financial Analyst | Range:$49k - $86k | Average:$64,620 |
| Operations Analyst | Range:$45k - $69k | Average:$55,933 |
3 more rowsBankers continue to regard Goldman Sachs as the world's most prestigious bank, followed (as always) by Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. Credit Suisse and UBS lost the most ground in 2022 while LionTree Advisors' reputation improved the most in the eyes of bankers.
How hard is it to get a Goldman Superday? ›
While Superday is the final step in the interview process, it isn't a time to relax. Considering that Goldman Sachs is reported to have a 1.5% acceptance rate into its internship programs, and JPMorgan only had around 400 openings for nearly 50,000 applicants in 2021, landing a spot at a major bank is no easy feat.
How many people pass Superday? ›
Regardless if it's a JPM Superday or a UBS Superday, firms aim to hire around 25%-50% of the candidates interviewed. Of course, it completely depends on the firm and the pool of candidates at the Superday.
If I had to give a specific range, I would say the average Superday has a 30-40% offer rate and a 20-30% hire rate. The exact rate will differ from office to office, but it would be very odd for more than 50% of candidates to receive offers or less than 10% to receive offers.
What is the acceptance rate at Goldman Sachs? ›
Among the revelations is the fact that every open job at the bank receives 300 applicants, a number suggesting that the average person applying to work at the bank has only a 0.33% chance of being successful. The good news is that it's easier to get any job at Goldman than an internship in particular.
How long does Goldman Sachs take to hire? ›
Every round will last for 30 to 60 minutes. The entire Goldman Sachs interview process takes up to 54 days on average, according to research by Glassdoor. According to a poll by Indeed: 39% reported that the Goldman Sachs interview process takes over one month.
How long does it take to get offer from Goldman Sachs? ›
It found that the typical duration is 27 days. In investment banking, however, it's 45 days. And at Goldman Sachs it's 54 days.
Is it easy to crack Goldman Sachs interview? ›
Is it easy to crack a Goldman Sachs interview? Interviews at Goldman Sach are quite similar to other good tech companies. It is not that difficult to crack. The interviewer only checks that you have the skills to solve challenges.
How hard is it to get an investment banking internship at Goldman Sachs? ›
What are my chances of getting in? Hilariously low. Goldman Sachs received 236,000 applications for 3,000 internships in 2022 – an acceptance rate of 1.27%. That's easier to get into than the bank as a whole, which has 300 applicants for each open role.
How long does it take to offer superday? ›
If the firm has decided to extend an offer, you tend to hear back from them rather quickly, which can range from a couple of hours to within 24 hours after the Superday (and two days maximum).
What is the average age of a Goldman Sachs employee? ›
The average age at Goldman Sachs is 28: youthful promotions are an inevitability. Meanwhile, Goldman's giant MD class, which is skewed towards trading, has a message of its own: that Goldman has promoted so many people suggests it's working hard to retain them after a difficult year.
Is working at Goldman Sachs stressful? ›
The analysts rated their job satisfaction as two out of 10 and said they were unlikely to stay at Goldman in six months if working conditions remained the same. In addition to the long hours, the analysts cited unrealistic deadlines, being ignored in meetings and micromanagement as major sources of stress.
Which interview is hardest to crack? ›
In some places you must have read that it is the toughest one. In fact, the candidates who appear in this interview also second this opinion, that SSB is India's toughest interview. So we decided to dig into this point even more and thus this article talks about why SSB is India's toughest interview.
How much does Goldman Sachs in the United States pay? The average Goldman Sachs salary ranges from approximately $40,000 per year for Technical Support to $192,700 per year for Vice President of Human Resources.
What is the average Intern salary at Goldman Sachs? ›
The estimated total pay for a Intern at Goldman Sachs is $91,236 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $70,446 per year.
What GPA do you need for Goldman Sachs? ›
Do you have a GPA of more than 3.72 (out of four)? U.S. students joining Goldman Sachs and JPM, may not be the very, very brightest, but they're still incredibly bright. The average GPA at each firm was at least 3.72 (93%).
How many Goldman Sachs interns get offers? ›
According to CNBC's source, the acceptance rate of Goldman internships is only 1.5%. Last year, Goldman Sachs accepted 2,900 students to their internship program.
