Goldman Sachs First-Round Interview

Question

Hi everyone,
I have a first-round interview coming up with Goldman Sachs IBD and I’m a bit unsure how to balance technical and behavioral prep. I’ve heard from some people that GS focuses heavily on “explain the intuition” rather than drilling candidates on hardcore math, while others say they got a full set of valuation and accounting follow-ups that were quite tough.
For those who interviewed there recently, how deep did they go on things like DCF sensitivities, working capital adjustments, or Enterprise Value bridges? And did you feel that the behavioral part (leadership, teamwork, resilience) mattered just as much? I want to make sure I’m not over-prepping the wrong side.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Getting invited to a first-round interview at Goldman Sachs usually means they already like your profile on paper. At this stage, the interview is often about confirming that you have the basics and that you make sense as a candidate.

You can expect a mix of fit and technical questions. On the technical side, they typically focus on fundamentals rather than very advanced topics. Be comfortable walking through valuation concepts, basic accounting links, and simple deal logic. You should be able to explain your thinking clearly, not just give the right answer. On the fit side, they care a lot about motivation, so be ready to explain why investment banking, why Goldman Sachs, and why now.

One thing that often helps is treating the interview like a conversation rather than an exam. Goldman interviewers usually probe deeper if they sense you understand the basics, so staying calm and structured when they push you matters more than memorising niche details.

If you’ve made it to this round, you’re already doing a lot right. Focus on clarity, fundamentals, and telling your story confidently. That combination goes a long way at this stage.