Preparing for a JPM interview after a GS rejection in Superday

Question

Hi everyone,

I recently interviewed at Goldman Sachs for an IBD Analyst role and made it all the way to the Superday. Unfortunately, by the last interview, I was completely drained, and it showed. My technicals were fine, but I struggled with the more open-ended valuation and market questions. In the feedback call, I was told that I need to work on structuring my answers more clearly and demonstrating stronger commercial judgment. I was encouraged to reapply next year.

The rejection hit me hard, especially after months of technical prep and mock interviews. I can walk through a DCF or an LBO smoothly, yet I seem to trip on broader thinking and real-world deal logic when the pressure is high.

Now, I have a J.P. Morgan interview in around three months, and I want to approach this round of preparation differently so I feel more in control.

How should I adjust my prep after the GS experience?
How does JPM’s interview style differ from Goldman’s?
Are there specific areas that I should focus on for JPM?

Answer 1

It is completely understandable that a rejection at Superday can feel discouraging, but the fact that you made it that far at Goldman already shows that you are operating at a very high level. Many candidates never reach that stage, so you should treat the experience as proof that you can compete in top-tier processes.

When you prepare for J.P. Morgan, the main value of your GS experience is that it shows you exactly where your pressure points were. If structuring or commercial judgment felt shaky, spend some time practising open questions where you have to talk through your reasoning clearly. Take a few companies or recent deals and walk through how you would think about them, what the key drivers are and how you would assess risks. This helps you strengthen the “thinking out loud” part that banks listen for.

In terms of differences between the two banks, the style at JPM can feel slightly broader. Candidates often mention that technicals are still important, but there is more emphasis on market awareness and on explaining why certain deals or trends matter. It is useful to follow a few recent transactions and be ready to discuss what you find interesting about them.

For your upcoming interview it is worth focusing on three things: solid technical fundamentals, a clear and confident explanation of your thought process and a good understanding of current market themes. If you prepare these consistently, you will feel much more in control than last time.

And one more thing. Getting far at Goldman means you have the potential. A setback like this is frustrating, but many people only break through on their second or third attempt. Take what you learned, adjust your preparation and walk into JPM knowing you have already proven you can get very close.