Talk about your most important business principles and how they align with Goldman Sachs.
This question is a test to determine how well you've prepared for your interview and is designed to determine whether you feel aligned with the key pillars of their culture. Only those who have done their homework on Goldman Sachs will be familiar with their 14 business principles. How you answer should inform them of your fit, whether you will be able to live up to their expectations, and how your professional principles align with theirs.
Before your interview, take some time to learn more about Goldman Sachs' 14 Business Principles. It's essential to study and understand these principles so that you can showcase the precise alignment between you and the company's culture. Yet, not all of these principles can be applied to any one individual, relating more so to their business, or to the group. So do your best to study all the principles, and memorize those, if you have the time, which you relate to the most.
Choose 2-3 business principles that feel most appropriate and relatable to you, and be prepared to discuss them. Share sincere and relatable examples where you put these beliefs into practice. Such as, "We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client's problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry." And, "The dedication of our people to the firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success."
"I have taken the time to study Goldman Sach's 14 Business Principles. I appreciate all 14 principles, yet there are 3 that stand out the most to me as aligning with my professional values. The first is taking great pride in my professional work. My leaders consistently comment on the high quality of my work and that I can always be relied upon to deliver work free of errors. I also resonate with Goldman Sach's statement that integrity and honesty must be at the heart of everything we do. Honesty is at the core of who I am and the decisions that I make. I take pride in knowing that my integrity in this industry has never been compromised or questioned. Last, my clients always come first, as do the clients at Goldman Sachs. I make myself readily available to my clients and actively make decisions in their best interests. Should Goldman Sachs choose to hire me, I will wholeheartedly embody the organization's business principles and live out these promises to my clients every day."
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