http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-critical-thinking-questions-2014-10

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The article above briefly outlines some of the questions that are asked to candidates during their interviews for employment at Goldman Sachs. The firm’s global head of recruiting, Michael Desmarais says that a common interview question would be to evaluate a company’s market valuation or to provide a stock pitch. In addition to this, the company blog indicates that it attempts to use the interview process to judge an individual’s creativity and problem-solving abilities. They do this by asking prospective employees to describe a procedure that can be used to figure out how many manhole covers there are in New York City, or similar thought provoking questions.

This evolution of this company’s interview process is indicative of the fact that they are trying to optimize their ability to find intra-preneurs. As discussed in a recent COMM 101 class, large multinational corporations are seeking employees that will be able to think quickly on their feet, and outside the box, therefore demonstrating problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Goldman Sachs has recognized the benefits of hiring corporate innovators – people who possess the creative qualities typically associated with entrepreneurship, but utilize them within a large company. Employing the skills of such individuals is imperative to the growth and success of any firm and I believe that more companies will begin to ask similar brain teasing questions during interviews in order to help them find ideal employees.