20 Best Amazon Job Interview Preparation Tips with Practice Questions and Answers

This post provides detailed information to help you prepare effectively for a job interview with Amazon, including tips and practice questions and answers, to increase your chances of getting through the interview process successfully.

Please, read on:

Founder and CEO of Amazon said “I’d rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than hire the wrong person”.

This should give you an idea of how seriously the people of Amazon take the hiring process.

They understand the effect a wrong hire may have on an organization. Thus, it is imperative that you prepare thoroughly for an interview with Amazon.

20 Best Amazon Job Interview Preparation Tips

Here are some great tips you can use in your Amazon job interview preparation to come out successful at the end of the process:

1. Research

You should take out time to research Amazon.

Amazon’s leadership is passionate about customer service.

It is necessary to understand this and research before going for the interview.

You’re reading this post, so, you’re one step in the right direction. Keep going!

2. Prepare for different questions

Amazon’s director of MBA and university recruiting shared that they “focus on hard and soft skills to learn about candidates and how they operate in different situations.”

Candidates usually go through an online and phone screening before the physical interview takes place.

The questions asked can range from functional to behavioral.

Keep an open mind while preparing.

3. Use the STAR method

Familiarize yourself with this method.

Answer all behavior-based interview questions using this method.

The star method is defined as:

• Situation: What situations have you or your previous employer been faced with?
• Tasks: What were the tasks involved?
• Actions: What actions were taken by you?
• Results: The actions taken resulted in what?

4. Be forthcoming with details

One word answers would most likely not get your through. Give concise and detailed answers.

Don’t be afraid to go deep and explain, give specific data when it’s required.

Details are important; back up the information given, with examples.

Questions asked are the interviewers attempt on getting to know you and your abilities, giving details avails them with the opportunity to do so.

5. Be yourself

You’re one applicant out of many. The question is, how do you stand out?

One way is by being yourself.

Amplify your strengths, don’t shy away from your weaknesses and stay curious.

Be your true self!

6. Acquaint yourself with the leadership principles of Amazon

You’re being interviewed for a role in the fastest growing technology company in the world, so you have to come prepared.

These principles are utterly important to Amazon, so you must be familiar with them.

7. Talk about your failures

Don’t be afraid to talk about failures. Prepare to share instances that show your qualifications and experience, failures and innovation.

Talking about your failures and how you succeeded and grew from them may score you a few points.

8. Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand a question or you need clarity on the question asked, don’t be shy to ask.

Be confident. Also, ask thoughtful questions; the kind of questions that show you have a curious mind.

9. Give specifics

Avoid generalizations. They want to know what YOU have done and the experiences you have, not what others have done.

Avoid using “we” as much as possible. They want to know YOUR inputs on project.

10. Know why you want to work at Amazon

Have an answer to the question “why Amazon“.

11. Prepare to be interviewed multiple times

You would most likely have to meet with more than one interviewer. So, keep track of the responses you give.

12. Share lessons learned

Amazon believes that there are lessons to learn in every situation and every success can be improved upon.

So, whether the experience you’re sharing is a success or not, make sure you can draw a lesson or two from it.

13. Be prepared for improve questions

As much as you can predict and prepare for the Amazon interview questions, it would be beneficial if you’re open-minded because Amazon interviewers have been known to improvise form time to time.

14. Keep practicing

The more you practice, the more comfortable you will get during the interview.

Preparedness is key and interviewers can see how prepared you’re from the answers you give.

15. Show curiosity

Amazon is not just looking for people who would excel at the interviews but people who would excel in the Company.

Don’t hide your curiosity, let it be in display.

Let them see that you want to learn and grow in the role.

16. Understand Amazon’s culture

Amazon has a culture that is customer-centered. Knowing this before you go for an interview will help you in more ways than one.

17. Work on your writing skills

This is dependent on the role you’re interviewing for. Work on your basic writing skills before the interview because you may be asked to provide a written sample.

18. Be confident

Going into your interview, having confidence is as important as preparing to answer all the questions you’re asked. Stay confident.

19. Focus on your strengths

This would boost your confidence. Also, the interviewers are interested in seeing what you can do and what you have to offer, so let them know your strengths and how it would benefit their company.

20. Practice possible questions

You need to answer the questions asked the right way; the right way being the Amazon way.

20 Top Amazon Job Interview Practice Questions and Answers

Here are carefully selected practice questions and answers you can apply in preparing for a job interview with Amazon:

1. Tell me about yourself

Sample answer: “I am a high achiever; knowledgeable and talented, with great ability to work effectively in a team environment, with the understanding that a team can make a huge difference in a company.

Over the years, I have developed transferable skills and experience that align with the job description and with the Amazon leadership principles.

For example, I will at all times use my initiative to come up with fresh ideas for the team.

I will work and come up with new ways to save the business money by being frugal with my approach to tasks.

I will be Professional with my approach at all times.

I am aware that you’re interviewing many other people for this role, but I am confident that I am right for this job based on my passion, experience, and commitment to putting in my best in any organization I work in.”

2. Why do you want to work at Amazon?

“I want to work at Amazon because I believe it is the greatest company in the world and I am certain I will be able to learn, grow, and develop whilst working alongside other motivated people”

3 Can you tell me about your experience with a difficult customer and how you handled their needs?

“In my past job, a client was vexed that an item they requested was put on backorder startlingly after they made their buy.

They required a practical adaptation of the thing as fast as could be expected, and the likelihood that that wouldn’t occur increased their feelings of anxiety, leaving them barely short of unfriendly.

To determine their issue, I started by listening to them, rewording what was being shared, and posing explaining inquiries to guarantee my full arrangement.

I at that point consoled them that I’d work with them to solve the problem.

Together, we talked about elective items that were available that could address their issues.

When a substitute was found, we dropped the old request and started the upgraded one.

I applied a free transportation move up to facilitate conveyance, guaranteeing it would show up before the client’s deadline.

Eventually, they were completely happy with the arrangement.”

4. If your work colleague stole an item that may not be considered expensive. What would you do?

“Stealing, no matter what the item cost is illegal and against company’s policy. If I witness such an act I would report as it is the company’s policy”

Other questions that may be asked include:

5. Tell me about a time when you didn’t meet expectations. What did you do to handle the situation?
6. Do you know who the CEO of Amazon is? How do you pronounce his name?
7. Which of the Amazon leadership principle can you relate with the most?
8. Tell me about a time you had to make a fast customer service decision without any guidance? How did you decide what to do?
9. How do you drive positive change?
10. If a superior asks you to do something risky, that doesn’t align with company’s policy, what would you do?
11. Can you tell me about a time when you had to make a decision when all of the data you needed was unavailable?
12. What qualities do you have that would help you excel in Amazon?
13. Do you apologize? Tell me about the last time you apologized to somebody.
14. What steps do you take to form functional relationships with the people you work with?
15. What do you do to ensure that the customer experience is always a priority?
16. How do you make sure that safety in the workplace is a priority when you are working?
17. Can you tell me about a time when you received feedback you didn’t agree with?
18. What is your favorite thing about Amazon and what is your least favorite thing?
19. How do you receive criticism? Give me an example of when you received criticism for your work?
20. When given an unfamiliar task, how do you ensure you handle it properly?

Conclusion

Amazon interview isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but with the tips and sample questions and answers provided on this page to work with, you can be sure of a good preparation, and you can increase your chances of being hired for the job.