Goldman Sachs: Applications Flood In

Goldman Sachs is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company. It is the second-largest investment bank in the world by revenue and is ranked 55th on the Fortune 500 list of the largest US corporations by total revenue.

The company is a desirable place to work, with every open job receiving 300 applicants on average. For example, in 2023, Goldman Sachs' internship program received 236,000 applicants for just 3,000 open roles. In another instance, a job posting for an industrials analyst role in London received nearly 900 applicants.

The number of applicants per role

Goldman Sachs is a highly sought-after employer, with a large number of applicants competing for each available role. The investment bank has a special pull according to one headhunter, and this is reflected in the high volume of applications they receive.

In 2023, it was reported that every open job at Goldman Sachs received 300 applicants, indicating a very competitive selection process with a low chance of success for the average applicant. This number may have increased, as a more recent job posting for an investment banking analyst role in London attracted nearly 900 applicants on LinkedIn alone.

The high number of applicants per role at Goldman Sachs is not unique to a specific position or location. For example, in 2023, the bank's internship program received 236,000 applicants for just 3,000 open roles, resulting in an extremely competitive acceptance rate of 1.27%.

The intense competition for roles at Goldman Sachs is further highlighted by the experiences of recruiters and headhunters. One headhunter shared that they received hundreds and hundreds of applicants for a junior banking job posted for only four to five hours. Another headhunter described the surge in interest as overwhelming and attributed it to the current state of the investment banking jobs market, with many people seeking new opportunities due to cuts in advisory staff and junior roles at other banks.

The high number of applicants per role at Goldman Sachs underscores the company's reputation and desirability as an employer, but it also means that securing a position at the firm is highly competitive and challenging.

The acceptance rate for internships

Goldman Sachs is one of the most sought-after internship programs, and the recruitment process is extremely rigorous. The firm receives hundreds of thousands of applications for a limited number of internship positions each summer. The acceptance rate is lower than that of Ivy League universities, making it a challenging endeavour for aspiring interns.

The internship program at Goldman Sachs is a nine to ten-week summer internship for undergraduate students. It offers students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the company's day-to-day activities and gain valuable experience in the financial industry. The program includes orientation, training, and real-world responsibilities alongside fellow interns and employees.

To increase their chances of acceptance, candidates should demonstrate a strong sense of ambition, a willingness to work hard, and invest significant time in preparation. Networking is also crucial, as building connections within the company can improve an applicant's chances of being hired.

The recruitment process at Goldman Sachs involves multiple interview rounds, including "Super Days," which are competitive and rapid-fire sequences of interviews conducted by senior bankers. Applicants should be prepared to meet and impress multiple company leaders during these intensive interview days.

Overall, the acceptance rate for internships at Goldman Sachs is extremely low, and candidates should be well-prepared and dedicated to have a chance at securing an internship offer.

The required experience for roles

Goldman Sachs is looking for candidates who can thrive in a dynamic environment, with excellent multitasking and time management skills. For a role in investment banking, you should be comfortable working with numbers and be a strong analytical thinker. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also needed to work successfully with clients and team members.

Goldman Sachs is looking for diverse candidates with interesting backgrounds who can bring something different to the table. Work experience and community service are important, showing that you can handle multiple responsibilities and work collaboratively. An internship with Goldman Sachs is highly beneficial, and the company aims to turn interns into employees.

For engineering roles, a degree in Computer Science, System/Computer Engineering, Cyber Security, or Information Security is required. For software engineering roles, a degree in Computer Science, a Master of Science, or a degree in Financial Engineering is required. For data analytics and business intelligence analyst roles, a Master of Science in a relevant field and 5+ years of experience in technical roles with a focus on application security are needed.

The popularity of roles on LinkedIn

Goldman Sachs is a prestigious firm, and its roles are highly sought-after on LinkedIn. The company has a special pull for applicants, and its positions are highly competitive, with around 300 applicants per role. For example, a recent job posting for an industrials analyst role in London received nearly 900 applicants on LinkedIn alone.

The popularity of Goldman Sachs roles on LinkedIn is not surprising given the company's reputation as a leading global investment bank and financial services provider. The firm is the second-largest investment bank in the world by revenue and is ranked 55th on the Fortune 500 list of the largest US corporations.

The high number of applicants per role on LinkedIn reflects the challenging job market for investment banking. Recruiters report that there is a "huge backlog" of candidates just waiting for new positions to be advertised. This is partly due to Big Four firms cutting advisory staff and banks cutting junior roles.

The popularity of Goldman Sachs roles on LinkedIn is also influenced by the company's efforts to attract diverse talent. The firm has expressed its commitment to providing a highly dynamic, meritocratic, diverse, and rewarding workplace.

Overall, the popularity of roles at Goldman Sachs on LinkedIn is a testament to the company's reputation and the challenging job market for investment banking professionals. Candidates seeking to increase their chances of being hired by Goldman Sachs should focus on building a strong CV and gaining relevant experience through internships and other programmes.

The number of applicants per role in 2016

In 2016, Goldman Sachs received 250,000 applicants for its job openings. This means that, assuming the number of applicants per role remained consistent throughout the year, each role received approximately 300 applicants. This is based on the assumption that Goldman Sachs had around 833 open positions in 2016, considering the bank received 300 applicants per open position in 2023.

The high number of applicants per role at Goldman Sachs reflects the competitiveness of the investment banking job market. The bank's reputation and prestige attract a large number of candidates, resulting in a low acceptance rate. In fact, recruiters have noted that the surge in candidate interest is due to the current state of the investment banking jobs market, with many people seeking new opportunities or facing cuts in their current positions.

For example, in 2024, a job posting for a new investment banking analyst role in London received nearly 900 applicants on LinkedIn alone. This high number of applicants is not uncommon, especially for positions at Goldman Sachs, which has a "special pull" according to recruiters. However, it is important to note that not all applicants may be suitable for the role, as recruiters have mentioned that many applications, especially on LinkedIn, are often unrelated or lack the required qualifications.

The competition for roles at Goldman Sachs is further highlighted by the acceptance rate for its internship program. In 2022, the bank received 236,000 applicants for just 3,000 open internship roles, resulting in an acceptance rate of only 1.27%.

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