Goldman Sachs HireVue Mock Interview
Practice 30 Goldman Sachs HireVue questions covering video responses, behavioral scenarios, and financial thinking.
Question 21 of 30
When facing a difficult situation, how do you react? Describe your approach and the course of action you would take.
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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Goldman Sachs wants to know if you react decisively to problems, and if your response to such situations reflects maturity and professionalism. Within their business principles, they state, "We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest." So, the goal of your response is to show the hiring managers that the way you react in difficult situations is in alignment with their team and the company's values.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
The hiring managers at Goldman Sachs look for candidates who can avoid feeling defeated in challenging situations. You can show the interviewer that you have tenacity and excellent problem-solving abilities by discussing how you approach and overcome complex problems.
Because this question asks, "What would you do if...," you can respond hypothetically. The Situation, Solution, and Benefit formula is helpful in this instance.
Step 1) Situation: Express your understanding of the hypothetical situation.
Step 2) Solution: Outline the solution you would introduce in this hypothetical situation.
Step 3) Benefit: Highlight how your approach to resolving the customer conflict will benefit the hiring company.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"(Situation) I understand that encountering difficult situations in the workplace is common, especially in an industry where regulation and compliance are so strict and constantly evolving. (Solution) When a difficult situation arises, my first instinct is to take a step back and absorb what just happened. I then go into 'brainstorm' mode, jotting down potential ways to resolve the situation. I might use a pros and cons list to determine the best course of action for a fast and amicable resolution. (Benefit) I read that one of Goldman Sach's core values is taking pride in the professional quality of the company's work. Rest assured, should Goldman Sachs hire me, I will take pride in every aspect of my work. Even in difficult situations, I will maintain an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything I undertake. I appreciate that Goldman Sachs would rather be the best than the biggest. Part of being the best is carefully assessing and finding solutions to difficult situations."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
To guarantee a higher proficiency rating from HireVue's assessment models, consider your work history and document your past strategies for approaching challenges you've faced, both mentally and procedurally. Describe how you direct your focus, objectify most situations, handle your emotions, and prevent stress from controlling your behavior while reacting decisively. Detail your systematic approach and your contributions to the positive morale of your teams. Make sure you can confidently explain how you handled difficult situations in the past and your confidence in handling them in the future.
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