Cracking the Goldman Sachs Frontend Interview: A Complete Guide

If you're aiming for a frontend role at Goldman Sachs or other top tech firms, this article will help you understand the interview process. Inspired by Abhay Goel’s experience shared on Akshay Saini's YouTube channel, let’s break down the key takeaways from his interview journey.

Watch the full video here

Interview Process Overview

Goldman Sachs' frontend interview consists of up to five rounds:

1. Phone Screen: Basic HR questions about your current role, relocation preferences, etc.

2. DSA CoderPad Round: Algorithm and data structure coding challenges.

3. Technical Round: In-depth questions on JavaScript and React.

4. Software Engineering Practices: Evaluation of coding best practices and testing knowledge.

5. System Design & Managerial Round: Covers frontend system design, project experience, and hiring manager expectations.

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1. CoderPad Round (DSA)

• Prefer JavaScript for solving problems; Java is the second-best option.

• Problem Examples:

  • Find the second largest element in an array.

  • Compute the average of values in an object using map, filter, and reduce.

  • Sort key-value pairs in an object.

  • Discuss sorting algorithms, their efficiency, and optimal approaches.

• Key Strategy: Explain your thought process. Communication is more important than just solving the problem.

2. Technical Round

• Core Topics: JavaScript, React, and frontend concepts.

• Helpful Resources: Chirag Goel’s frontend and system design videos.

• Example Questions:

  • Infinite scrolling design.

  • Handling millions of API requests efficiently.

  • Concepts like debouncing and throttling.

3. Software Engineering Practices (A Crucial Round)

• This is Goldman Sachs’ favorite round, often intense and in-depth.

• Mostly verbal but may include coding.

• Topics Covered:

  • Best development practices.

  • Testing strategies.

  • Be honest, keep speaking, and never say "I don’t know" — instead, express a willingness to learn.

4. System Design Round

• Discussion on past projects and feature modifications.

• Example question: Design WhatsApp’s architecture.

• Example Topics Covered:

  • Image optimization.

  • Efficient API call handling (polling, batching, etc.).

  • Follow-up questions on scalability and performance.

5. Managerial Round

• In-depth technical discussions beyond soft skills.

• Topics covered:

  • Docker, AWS, backend communication.

  • Why React over Angular or Vue?

  • Backend language preference.

  • SOLID principles and security practices.

• Key Advice: Present yourself as a problem solver. Never say you lack backend knowledge; instead, say you have a basic understanding but would love to dive deeper.

Additional Key Points

• Even for a frontend role, understanding backend interactions is essential.

• Salary Expectations: Freshers can expect 18-24 LPA with good negotiation skills.

• The entire interview process takes around one month, and the offer may take up to two more months.

• Important Point: Have patience, but never wait or rely upon a single offer. Keep applying to other companies, and keep trying, always.

Final Thoughts

Goldman Sachs’ frontend interview is intense, but with strong fundamentals in JavaScript, React, system design, and best coding practices, you can crack it. Be confident, communicate well, and showcase your ability to solve problems effectively.