Aryaman Biyani ’24 has worked with the Financial Services, Consulting, and Business Community for the past three years. Throughout the summer of 2023, he served as an intern at Goldman Sachs. He will be returning to his team on a full-time basis in 2024! Below, Aryaman shares about the internship process. If you are someone who is interested in the field of finance and wants to learn more about the application process and best ways to crack your next internship, this article is for you.
- Application Process: The application process for the majority of internships in the banking and finance field begins 12-18 months prior to the internship start date. Typically, for most bulge bracket(top tier and most recognized) banks the recruiting process has three stages.
- Resume screening: This is the first stage of the application process. In this stage you apply to the bank via their website by uploading your resume and answering some questions about yourself. These questions relate to your GPA, work authorization status, to name a few. Second, as part of this stage some banks also require you to submit an online assessment. This assessment has questions to assess your critical thinking, and personality in general, and help them determine you would be a good fit for their organization’s culture.Hirevue: This is the second stage of the application process. If selected after the resume screen, you will receive a request to complete your Hirevue interview. A Hirevue interview is a pre-recorded video interview. You will be presented with 3-5 pre-determined questions and will typically have 1-3 minutes to respond to each. The recorded interview will then be sent to the hiring team.
- Final Round interviews/ Superday’s: This is the third stage of the application process. If you are selected to move forward after your hirevue, you will receive an invite to participate in final round interviews. These are called superdays. They consist of 3-5 back-to-back interviews with members of the team you have applied for your internship and usually last for about 90 minutes based on the company. It is important to note that these interviews are typically a mix of behavioral, fit, and technical questions. After your superday, candidates usually here back regarding the decision within 24-48 hours.
- My internship experience: My internship at Goldman Sachs was an eye-opening experience. I was genuinely surprised by the sheer volume of work accomplished collaboratively within the team. It underscored the vital role of effective communication skills in ensuring seamless operations and fostering a culture of teamwork. Additionally, I quickly recognized the significance of networking in the financial industry, as it allowed for knowledge sharing and professional growth. Overall, my internship provided me with valuable insights into the dynamic and interconnected nature of the finance sector, reinforcing the importance of both technical competence and soft skills in achieving success in this field. Furthermore, I will be joining the firm as a full-time financial analyst alongside the same team!
- Advice: I would offer the following advice to help you crack your next finance internship. First and foremost, networking is absolutely crucial. Tap into industry connections, especially alumni networks within your target companies, to gain insights and access potential openings. Secondly, tailor your resume for each application; it shows your dedication and understanding of the specific role and organization in addition to being super helpful when trying to get pass the first stage of the application process. Thirdly, build a strong foundation in essential skills like financial modeling, Excel, and PowerPoint – these are invaluable for data analysis and effective communication. Additionally, they shall help you be better prepared for interviews and for the job in general. Lastly, stay informed about financial market developments to impress employers and be well-prepared for interviews by practicing with mock interviews. These steps collectively enhance your chances of securing that sought-after finance internship.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
