Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Goldman Sachs, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I got pulled into a CoderPad-style problem-solving round for a Java developer role. It was a timed coding interview with two questions focused purely on getting working solutions right there. The first prompt was exactly the “High five” problem from LeetCode, and the second question was also listed as “High five.” The biggest thing I remember was the expectation that my solution had to be fully running and pass additional test cases, not just the sample checks.
My process started with HackerRank. I had two coding questions in that first assessment, and after clearing it, I reached a live interview round where I was hit with a LeetCode hard-style problem. The goal was essentially to perform at a level similar to maximizing score on a hard prompt, and I just couldn’t get there.
Candidates typically start with an online assessment featuring two coding problems, often derived from LeetCode, which may include a mix of easy to medium difficulty questions. This stage serves as a screening before moving to live interviews.
The technical interviews often utilize CoderPad, where candidates face timed coding problems that require not only correct solutions but also an understanding of time and space complexity. Interviewers may ask follow-up questions to gauge depth of knowledge.
Candidates participate in a superday consisting of multiple back-to-back interviews covering a range of topics, including data structures, system design, and behavioral questions. This format emphasizes both technical skills and cultural fit.
Throughout the interview process, candidates are evaluated on various aspects, including coding proficiency, system design understanding, and behavioral fit, which can lead to a more comprehensive assessment of their capabilities.
Candidates report a high level of difficulty, particularly during live coding sessions where time constraints can significantly impact performance. Many felt that the pressure to deliver under time limits was a critical factor in their outcomes.
Several candidates expressed frustration with the lack of follow-up or feedback after interviews, which contributed to a feeling of uncertainty and disorganization in the overall process. Clear communication is often noted as a missing element.
