Goldman Sachs

New York

Total Offices: 31

67,118 Total Employees

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What's It Like to Work at Goldman Sachs?

Updated on September 08, 2026

This page summarizes recurring themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Goldman Sachs and has not been reviewed or approved by Goldman Sachs.

What's it like to work at Goldman Sachs?

Strengths in career growth, accelerated learning, and competitive compensation are accompanied by persistent challenges in workload intensity, cultural friction, and uneven advancement trajectories. Together, these dynamics suggest a high-reward, high-demand employer that suits those prioritizing rapid development and brand prestige while requiring trade-offs in balance and environment.

Key Insight for Candidates

Office-first apprenticeship-for-brand tradeoff: Goldman prioritizes in-person mentorship and high-output culture to deliver elite training, deal exposure, and powerful career capital, but this means sustained long hours, strict return-to-office expectations, and higher burnout risk. Candidates should decide if accelerated growth and prestige outweigh flexibility and work-life balance.

Evidence in Action

Office-First Apprenticeship Model — A five-days-in-office policy anchors the firm's apprenticeship culture and Goldman Sachs University learning. Employees gain faster coaching and access to leaders, but experience reduced flexibility, shaping perceptions of a demanding, in-person employer.
High-Intensity Hours Expectation — Protected Saturday guidelines coexist with recurring internal feedback of 80–100-hour weeks in banking teams. This cadence builds rapid deal exposure and career capital while driving stress, attrition risk, and perceptions of an exacting culture.

Positive Themes About Goldman Sachs

Career Growth: The brand and exposure to high-profile deals are portrayed as strong resume builders that open doors across finance and beyond. Advancement pathways and exit opportunities are frequently highlighted as standout advantages.
Learning & Development: An apprenticeship culture with on-the-job coaching and access to experienced leaders accelerates learning. Structured programs and steep, hands-on experience are described as rapidly building skills.
Compensation: Pay is considered competitive with strong total rewards. Benefits are described as comprehensive, supporting health, retirement, and time off.

Considerations About Goldman Sachs

Workload & Burnout: Long and unpredictable hours, especially in certain divisions, are associated with high stress and burnout. The pace and expectations are often described as intense and demanding.
Toxic Culture: Elements of a hierarchical, competitive, and at times elitist environment are cited, including micromanagement and internal politics. Unspoken expectations around after-hours socializing can add pressure.
Career Stagnation: Progression can slow beyond certain levels or in specific functions, with some roles reporting limited advancement over time. Team differences and internal dynamics can hinder upward mobility.

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These insights are generated using AI and may not reflect internal data or verified company information. They are intended solely for general informational purposes and should not be considered a definitive assessment of the company’s reputation. If you are a representative of this company, and would like this page to be removed, you may contact us via this form.