An Update on our Recruiting Approach During the Coronavirus Crisis

31 MAR 2020

The impacts of the novel coronavirus are being felt around the world, and it can be difficult to know how to navigate something like a job search in these uncertain times. We connected with our global head of campus recruiting, Vicki Tung, and our head of Asia Pacific recruiting, Claire Beardsworth, to understand the latest on the firm's recruiting practices, their advice for students and jobseekers, and how they and their colleagues are adjusting to new ways of living and working.

What changes to the hiring process should candidates expect?

Claire: Like many other companies, we’ve postponed all in-person events for the near future and are developing ways to engage virtually.

For experienced professionals specifically, you should continue to apply online as usual, and it’s likely that most if not all of your interviews will take place over video.

Vicki: For students, applications for our 2021 summer programs will open as planned on July 1st. We understand that many students are navigating challenging circumstances as classes are cancelled or moved to remote learning. We want to underscore there is no need to do anything but apply to be considered. But for those interested in learning more about our opportunities, stay tuned for digital events taking place over the next few months and let us know if there is a topic or format you’d be especially interested in.


What advice do you have for candidates during this time?

Claire: Stay connected to recruiters about what opportunities we have and consider how interviewing via video is different than in person (watch our recruiter advice videos for best practices and be on the lookout for more tips from our team in the coming weeks). 

If you’re interviewing, you can visit GS.com to understand more about how we are navigating the current environment and the firm’s precautionary measures.

Vicki: We know this is a stressful time for everyone – so, just like we’d say to our own colleagues and teams, stay healthy and take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. We want to accommodate however we can, so please don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter if you have a unique scheduling need or there is anything else we can do to be helpful.

Make sure to keep an eye out for emails from the recruiting team and check our website often as we’ll share updates – this is new and uncharted territory for all of us, but we’re as focused as ever on connecting with talented people around the world.


What have the last few weeks looked like for you and your teams, both professionally and personally?

Vicki: We’ve been connected with Claire and all our colleagues in Asia since the beginning of the year, and stayed close to how they have navigated recruiting and integrating new hires. Over the past few weeks as it’s developed we have been able to scale these approaches to the rest of the world.  It’s been important for us to stay close to universities and our colleagues at other companies to share best practices and try to keep as consistent an approach as possible.

Personally, it’s important to stay resilient and connected not just at work but also at home. Every day, I go on long walks or bike rides (with the appropriate social distancing!) with my kids to recharge. And almost every day, I have a video call to catch up with one of my friends.

Claire: Since we’ve been dealing with this for a few months now in Hong Kong and in Asia more broadly, we’re in a bit of a different phase than our colleagues in Europe and the States and feel fortunate to be able to share advice on everything from the recruiting landscape to making the transition to working remotely. On a personal level, it’s been very eye opening – the biggest takeaway for me is that in the past we’ve taken for granted the ability to control the degree of separation between our work and home lives – now they’re intersecting in a new way we’ve never seen before, with families all working from home and in some cases, home schooling their children. I am enjoying having meal times together and exercising!


Hear our recruiters’ advice on video interviewing and explore our upcoming virtual events.