Tell me about a time you dealt with competing priorities

Last updated: April 2, 2026

Quick Overview

Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Goldman Sachs, your actions, and measurable outcomes.

Goldman Sachs
Behavioral & Leadership
Software Engineer
Goldman Sachs
April 2, 2026
Software Engineer
Behavioral Round
Behavioral & Leadership
Easy

217

14

848 solved


Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Goldman Sachs, your actions, and measurable outcomes.

Behavioral questions at Goldman Sachs are weighted heavily in the hiring decision. This question appears in the Behavioral Round and is designed to assess your past experiences and how they align with Goldman Sachs's leadership principles and culture.

What the Interviewer Expects
  • Provide a clear, structured response using the STAR method
  • Share a genuine example from your professional experience
  • Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn
  • Show how the experience shaped your current approach
Key Topics to Cover
STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Conflict resolution and difficult conversations
Cross-functional collaboration
Growth mindset and learning from failure
How to Approach This
  1. Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  2. Be specific about YOUR actions, not just the team outcome.
  3. Quantify your impact whenever possible (e.g., "reduced latency by 40%").
  4. Prepare stories for: conflict, failure, ambiguity, leadership, and technical trade-offs.
  5. Show growth mindset. Explain what you learned and how you changed your approach.
Possible Follow-up Questions
  • What was the most challenging part of this experience?
  • How did you support your team through this situation?
  • What would you do differently if you faced this situation again?
  • How did you measure the success of your actions?
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Sample Answer
How to Structure Your Response

Use the STAR method to structure a clear, compelling answer: **Situation** (2-3 sentences): Set the context. What was the project, team, and stakes? ...

Example Answer Framework

"At my previous company, we were building [specific product/feature] and faced [the specific challenge from the question]. The team was [size] and the...


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