50 Amazon Interview Questions & Answers

Table of Contents

1. Accomplishment Questions
2. Ask The Interviewer Questions
3. Behavioral Questions
4. Career Goals Questions
5. Compatibility Questions
6. Competency Questions
7. Creative Thinking Questions
8. Customer Service Questions
9. Direct Questions
10. Discovery Questions
11. Diversity Questions
12. Education Questions
13. EQ Questions
14. Experience Questions
15. Leadership Questions
16. Operational Questions
17. Problem Solving Questions
18. Teamwork Questions

Accomplishment

1. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

What You Need to Know

When sharing your most significant accomplishment, tailor your answer to your audience. According to Jeff Bezos, a valuable lesson he learned while building Amazon was "the path to success is anything but straight. Success can come through iteration: invent, launch, reinvent, relaunch, start over, rinse, repeat, again and again." So when sharing the story of your greatest accomplishment, let them know why this particular success was so significant, and describe the determination it took to get there.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating from university as an honors student while working full-time in a related field. I was at the top of my class and working full-time. This accomplishment showed me that I could dedicate myself to my career and reach the goals I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Entry Level Example

"It may sound cliche, but reaching this level of accomplishment in my career and feeling prepared for this opportunity is the greatest accomplishment of my career. And tomorrow will bring my next greatest accomplishment, as will the day after that. I am very competitive with myself, always trying to beat my previous best. My parents taught me at an early age to map out my goals and develop a plan. This later evolved into developing a career plan, and as a result, I have a strong track record for accomplishing my goals."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Experienced Example

"I have many accomplishments of which I am proud. Overall, I would say that my greatest work accomplishment is my positive reputation in the software development industry. Tech is a large industry, with many professionals fighting to find their voice. I'm so proud to have carved a distinct career path for myself despite the challenges."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"One of the big car companies in Canada asked us to create an online customization ad that used the map API. The challenge was that our ad template solution did not support the key use case. It would require an enhancement to the existing template functionality. Given the importance of the revenue stream, I felt compelled to deeply research how the map API worked within the ad template. When I had a way to implement a solution, I immediately ran a test, and our first demo was sent out within three weeks, and the campaign went live with the solution I suggested. The client was very impressed and decided to add 30% more budget to run the ad for a longer time."

Rachelle's Feedback

This achievement sounds like something you should be very proud of - nice work, and great use of the STAR framework when forming your reply (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

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Anonymous Answer

"I am proud of many of my accomplishments. One is establishing a complete development center for our parent company. When I joined a startup, we worked in a make-shift arrangement as a small team in India. Given our quality of work and commitment, I convinced my bosses to establish a full-fledged development center in India as a separate entity under the parent company. Given the quality of our resources and our future potential, my CEO agreed, and we had a complete business set up in India under my leadership. I am very much proud of being a person who is committed to goals. In March, I decided to use my time to learn AWS services and achieve certification as a Solution Architect Associate."

Rachelle's Feedback

Terrific! You should be very proud of your accomplishments. At the end of your reply, you may also want to include a qualifying statement of how you will continue these accomplishments should you be hired into this new role.

Anonymous Answer

"My greatest accomplishment was during my first Internship while I was completing my Master's degree. I was working full-time and graduating at the same time. I learned so many things during that time. It made me feel confident that I could achieve my goals by using good multi-tasking skills and working hard."

Rachelle's Feedback

This would have been a demanding yet exciting time, indeed! To help bring your experience to life, I suggest discussing in more detail what you learned during that time.

Anonymous Answer

"I was asked to be part of an acquisition team as NA Channel Manager. We seemed to be constrained by limited deployment resources. Most implementations were around ERP or CRM ISV solutions. I needed more deployment arms and legs quickly trained to get POC's completed so we could meet our expected $25M sales target. I rolled out a simple channel activation model with five existing IBM ERP/CRM partners. I needed their full attention, so I chose the smart and hungry ERP RSIs. I led the effort to roll out a quickstart partner enablement. Within four months, 4 of 5 partners had two or more POC's complete and were onto implementation. Over the next 18 months, revenue grew to $170M."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response! You do an excellent job of quantifying your impact and showing how you contributed to revenue growth.

Anonymous Answer

"I believe it's the reputation I have built so far in my current job, during those past 4 years as a Recruiter, where clients feel they can trust me, they know who to call whenever they have a need or an issue (and they know they would get help from me too), which is also reflected in the appreciation I receive from candidates - who most of the times become colleagues or new hiring managers/clients."

Amanda's Feedback

Great! Building a solid reputation as a customer-focused problem-solver is certainly an admirable achievement. You can make the response more impactful by telling the interviewer how many clients or recruiting projects you handle simultaneously, or how many candidates you're able to place monthly or quarterly while troubleshooting issues. Providing specific numbers helps to quantify your accomplishments and give better insight into your level of expertise.

Anonymous Answer

Amanda's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"15 years ago, I took on the challenge of co-founding a startup to solve the problem of drive-off fuel thefts in Australia. This required me to pitch to venture capitalists, develop AI-powered image-processing software, control network cameras, read serial data from legacy hardware, and develop the go-to-market plan. At the time this was all new to me. But with a learning mindset and a lot of dedication and hard work I was able to take a world-leading product to market in 2009."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow; that's amazing! This is definitely an accomplishment worth mentioning, and the interviewer will undoubtedly be impressed. Why would you say it's your greatest accomplishment, though? Because of its magnitude? Because of the learning curve? Because of how much it impacted others? Consider clarifying this; otherwise, excellent job!

Anonymous Answer

"I have so many accomplishments in my career that I am proud of. I would say my greatest achievement is being recognized by the North American executive leadership as a leader. Where my last 2 roles put me in management positions to create winning teams. And when I was at a user group in NOLA in April I came in contact with the CEO of _____. The first words and last words he said before he left were I want you back on the team. All my individual and team contributions and hard work paid off."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that the CEO of the company you worked for recognized you verbally. Can you clarify why you were no longer on the team at that point? Also, did he remark on anything you had done or say why he was impressed with your work? Make sure to emphasize the skills you used to build your teams and show how they are transferable to this new role. Good job!

Ask The Interviewer

2. What questions do you have for me?

What You Need to Know

Come prepared with questions for your interviewer, but be sure to ask the right questions. If you have any questions at the outset, try to answer them yourself before your interview. This will indicate how serious you are about pursuing this opportunity and will ensure you don't ask any questions you could have answered for yourself. The more thoroughly you prepare for your interview, the more you learn and the more questions you'll have. As Jeff Bezos says, asking 'why' is equally as important as asking 'why not.'

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I am interested in growing my career from within Amazon and applying my current and future skills within the company. I am curious how often you promote from within and whether there are any Amazon employees currently in consideration for the position I am interviewing for."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"I would like to ask if there is anything in my background you need me to clarify. Also, after our discussion today, is there any particular reason I would not be the best fit for this executive assistant role?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Experienced Example

"I appreciate you opening the floor for questions. What is your timeline for a decision about this opening? Also, what was the biggest struggle the last developer encountered in this role?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I live in Istanbul and Amazon is just starting to expand here compared to many European countries. I'm very curious about the reason for this and I would be really glad if you would enlighten me about it.

I'm also very curious about the workflow in Amazon. The companies in Istanbul always try to find the best employee and try to get that employee to do all the work by paying more. For example, I had to manage almost more than 30 people. I am very curious about the workflow here."

Amanda's Feedback

Having a question or two ready to ask makes it clear that you've given thought to how you would fit with the company you're applying to. I appreciate the question about their recent expansion into your country; however, I think you can clarify your workflow question further. Rather than talking about other companies paying more to get work done, consider focusing your question on productivity and efficiency by saving something like, "I've worked for companies with various workflows. How does Amazon balance workloads so that workflows are efficient and productive?"

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Anonymous Answer

"You've been at this company for a while. What keeps you motivated? How do you deliver negative feedback?"

Rachelle's Feedback

These are very insightful questions! Great work.

Anonymous Answer

"I saw your profile on LinkedIn and was amazed by your growth. You've been working in this company for a while, and I want to know how your journey was throughout the process? And what do you like the most working in this company?"

Rachelle's Feedback

Wonderful! This question/statement shows a high level of interest and engagement. And - people love to talk about themselves, so this is a smart approach :)

Anonymous Answer

"What is a typical position that I would need to search for candidates if I am selected for this role? What sort of sources do recruiters use, besides LinkedIn Recruiter Seat?"

Amanda's Feedback

Good! Having a few questions ready shows the interviewer that you've truly thought about the role's requirements and how you see yourself fitting into the position.

Anonymous Answer

"What are the top 3 business challenges in this role? What is your advice about how to best meet those challenges?"

Marcie's Feedback

These are great questions that show your interest in learning more about the role. Perfect!

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, is there any reason I would not be a good fit for this position?"

Marcie's Feedback

Good question! Consider having at least one or two other questions in mind so you can show the interviewer that you're thoughtful, interested, and engaged.

Anonymous Answer

"What do you love most about your work at AWS?

What are your fondest memories of when you began working at AWS? What impressed you?

What do you wish you had done differently during your first 3 months?"

Marcie's Feedback

These are great questions, and you have just the right number of them. (Asking around three is perfect.) Your questions are effective because they involve the interviewer and their personal opinions, memories, and preferences. This is a great way to engage the interviewer and leave a lasting impression. Good job!

Behavioral

3. Can you discuss a time you had to be frugal in the workplace?

What You Need to Know

One of Amazon's Leadership Principles is 'Frugality;' they believe you can accomplish more with less. As Jeff Bezos puts it, "I think frugality drives innovation, just like other constraints do. One of the few ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out." Show your interviewer how your values already align with theirs by sharing some instances where you accomplished more with less in the workplace.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I'd consider myself incurably frugal. But I don't look at frugality solely from a financial perspective but from every angle. I am frugal regarding time, effort, and how many people should work on a project or team. Whatever the cost, I am frugal and try to find the simplest way of doing everything. The way I see it, if people take shortcuts to do their work, the system or method is flawed. If taking shortcuts is necessary, we should be looking at how to make the shortcut the right way to do the job correctly. Because of that, I would say yes, I am very frugal in everything I do."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"My previous employer had a strict operating budget and decreased our office expenses by 50%. I used to send faxes through our fax machine, and we developed a paper and ink cartridge shortage when costs were cut. I started using a virtual fax system, which cut costs by 75%. That was only one way I was frugal, but it was the most cost-effective."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Several years ago, we were doing a lot of analysis and finance work in Excel. There were tight deadlines at the end of each quarter because it was a listed company and the results were required for market disclosure reports. Each quarter someone would manually update the spreadsheets, adding extra rows and copying and pasting formulas. It took 4 people 3 days to update them, and then we had to check that the updating didn't break the calculations. But as the business expanded the workload grew and we were struggling to meet the deadlines. I decided that during our quieter time between quarters we should write a VBA macro that automatically adds the rows and the formulas. This was wildly successful, reducing 12 man-days of quarterly work to less than 10 minutes of elapsed time, with no more human error."

Marcie's Feedback

While your example here is impressive and shows how you took the initiative to save time and work, this question does ask about frugality which usually refers to not spending a lot of money (or something not having a large economic cost). Do you have an example that you can cite that shows your ability to be cost-conscious in the workplace? If so, that might be more applicable in terms of the way this question is worded. Or perhaps include more information about how your VBA macro helped to save the company money? Just some food for thought!

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Anonymous Answer

"I had to do more with less staff. I was unable to hire a head count so I used the little budget I had to hire contractors in Malaysia to write the content I needed at a reduced cost. It accomplished 2 things. I got the work I needed to be done at a reduced rate and it was done overnight so when I came to work in the morning it was complete."

Marcie's Feedback

Why did you not have enough staff? Can you go into more detail about that? Also, what was your task? Otherwise, you've done a good job using the STAR method to outline the situation, your role in it, and what the result was. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"Frugality requires an open mind to alternatives and other opportunities. My employer tightened its belt on training expenses, so I decided that I would take the opportunity to shift focus away from external certifications that require expenditure to company internal certifications. The belt-tightening would not be forever, and when one door closes another opens. There is more than one way to grow."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will appreciate that you've provided an example of a time when you were frugal in the workplace. How did the internal certifications work out? Can you explain more about why your employer had to tighten its belt in the first place? Giving additional details will make your answer even more memorable to the interviewer. Nice job!

Behavioral

4. Do you think it is important to have fun at work?

What You Need to Know

Amazon strives to be "Earth's best employer." They've even made this mission one of their leadership principles and encouraged their leaders to lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. It is not only essential to perform research before your interview but also to rehearse and be able to recall what you learn for your interview. Explain how you identify with this leadership principle, why you think it is important to have fun at work, and how this has allowed you to be an effective and productive employee. As Jeff Bezos puts it, "Work hard. Have fun. Make history. That's going to make it easier for you to make that choice to work hard."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I'd say it's important to have fun everywhere - at work, home, on your commute. They say life is a flexibility test. But it is also a constant attitude test. It's important to approach everything in life with the right attitude, and if you are not having fun, then you have to adjust some things until you are."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I think it is imperative to have fun at work. That's not to say that work is all fun and games, but if employees are happy, they tend to have better morale and are more productive. In my last job, we had Nerf guns that our CEO bought for us. When we wanted to get a coworker's attention in a cubicle, we would shoot a dart over the cubicle, which always got a laugh. That was one of the most fun jobs I have ever had."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Absolutely. Having fun helps us get up in the morning."

Amanda's Feedback

It sounds like you really want to enjoy your work so that you look forward to it every day. If you value having fun at work, you can strengthen this answer by explaining what the benefits to you are such as lowering stress levels, encouraging productivity or creativity, and helping you feel more engaged.

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Anonymous Answer

"Work without meaning is empty motion. Thus, in the past, I've learned to incorporate a positive attitude and this helps me enjoy my work. I take pride in what I do and the work I perform. If I'm unhappy or not having fun it will show."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is an excellent start, but I suggest developing your response a bit more. Can you provide an example of a time when you had fun at work? How did that impact your motivation and ability to meet outcomes? Providing a specific example and tying it to outcomes will improve the impact of your answer.

Anonymous Answer

"I think it is imperative to have fun at work. Not to say that work is all fun and games, but if employees are happy, they tend to have better morale and are more productive. In my current job, we have e-meetings for cooking classes. The chef was showing how to make delicious food (e.g: pancakes), and the others follow the video to make the food, then posted the picture on the slack channel. It is pretty fun. All of us relaxed and became familiar with each other through the funny cooking class. That was one of the most fun jobs that I have ever had."

Amanda's Feedback

Well done! This is a great example of a way to build fun into your workplace. Consider strengthening this answer further by explaining how activities like this encourage a strong team dynamic. Do they help you learn more about one another's personalities and strengths? Does having fun build collaborative teamwork skills?

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I think it is important that you get along with your colleagues and have fun while working with them."

Amanda's Feedback

Fun at work is a key element of employee happiness. You can enhance this answer by sharing that fun can help employees to maintain a more positive mindset, enjoy greater well-being, and improve mental health, which ultimately reduces employee absenteeism and work-related errors.

Anonymous Answer

"I've found that having fun makes me more productive, especially more creatively solving problems and having a bias for action. For example, there was a time I was tasked with creating a product demo specifically to wow journalists. I was brainstorming with colleagues and we were joking around about some of the crazy political stories that the software was analyzing, and then I realized that I could build a dashboard that showed why some stories were going viral and others were not. Then we built a dashboard showing which words and phrases were driving the outcomes and I presented to journalists about how they could use the tool to fine-tune their stories to have the broadest readership."

Marcie's Feedback

This is a great example to use; it really makes your response interesting and memorable. Excellent response! You've made a strong case for having fun at work!

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I think it is very important to have fun at work. I like the term hard fun. I think it is important to ensure you deliver results while learning and being curious and ensuring putting the customer first.

I was in France for a week putting together a demo for a customer when V6 first came out, before 3DEXPRIENCE. Those were long days and nights. We were exhausted. And we knew it was just the beginning. The following week was the real work when we were traveling to the US and Canada to the customer's sites for the demos.

You know how it is. Late nights. Not regular meals. Whenever someone would get irritable we would play the video of a '60s song which was in French we didn't understand most of it but the chorus repeated the name of the customer so we would all laugh and sing. It really brought us together as a team.

We did win. That was in 2009. And occasionally, we still bring that video up and laugh."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you think it's important to have fun at work. Can you explain more what you mean by the term 'hard fun'? Do you believe that having fun on the job makes you more productive and a harder worker? Can you talk about a time when you worked in a fun atmosphere and explain how this helped you to be a better employee?

Anonymous Answer

"It is wonderful to jump out of bed in the morning knowing that you will spend another day laughing and enjoying the company of customers and colleagues. Feedback from both customers and project managers is that I bring fun to a project as well as deep technical skills and a can-do attitude. I enjoy approaching a project with humility and transparency. Whilst competent in my role, I do not pretend to know everything and as such approach work with a playful curiosity which I share with the client. For an infrastructure upgrade project, I arrived without having prior experience in the specific software stack. However, combining upfront preparation and demonstrable organizational skills, I created an environment where the customer and I could solve the problems together and have a laugh whilst doing so. Although my role was the subject matter expert, we worked as a team. The project was a great success. The customer later requested me for a subsequent project because they said they had so much fun working with me the first time. Where there is trust, there can be fun - so if you are having fun in your work with your customer, you know you are doing something right."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Your answer is extremely thorough and comes across as genuine. It's great that you give an example that supports your assertions. The only place where you might offer a bit more of an explanation is - how exactly did you create an environment with the customer that enabled both problem-solving and fun? Did you use humor in your conversations? Did you use a particular tone of voice? Adding some more details around this would be great. Otherwise, outstanding response!

Behavioral

5. What makes you a good fit for Amazon?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos states, "Many people have unique skills, interests, and perspectives that enrich the work environment for all of us. It's often something that's not even related to their jobs." Bezos has often described his best employees as "mavericks" and a "bit radical, a bit of a rebel." As one of Amazon's leadership principles states, "Leaders think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers." So consider how you fit this mold. What makes you a maverick or a pioneer? Try to define what is peculiar to your unique approach or the lens through which you view the world. Hone in on that and use it to illustrate what sets you apart from the herd.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"My incurable curiosity. If I go for a walk or a drive, and I look down a road that seems interesting, I will make that turn, not knowing where it will take me. My mind is in constant discovery mode."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I've always viewed myself as an adventurer with a restless spirit. If someone tells me something is impossible or can't be done, I want to defy that. If someone says to me, 'I could never climb Everest,' or 'I could never write a book,' I will always think to myself, why not? The only thing holding anyone back is themselves. And I never hold myself back."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Behavioral

6. Do you consider yourself a calculated risk-taker?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos has built Amazon's culture around calculated risk-taking. This is built on the principle that many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. As Jeff Bezos puts it, "I can guarantee you that none of these ideas are guaranteed to work. All of them are gigantic investments and they're all risks. The only way to get above-average returns is to take risks and many won't pay off. Our whole history as a company is about taking risks, many of which have failed and many of which will fail, but we'll continue to take big risks." This is a large part of the culture of Amazon.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Perform research on yourself and examine how you fit this mold. Give an example where you took a calculated risk and describe the result. If it failed, detail what you learned from it and what that failure contributed to your future success.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I think life is all about taking risks. But I am not a gambler. I don't lean too heavily on chance. When you recognize an opportunity and realize you have more than just a chance to succeed, you have to take the time to weigh the odds and examine what you stand to gain and what is leaning in your favor. That's where it becomes a calculated risk. Sure, it might not work out, but if you approach it intelligently, recognize the odds of failure, and determine whether that failure could lead to learning and future success, then it feels like less of a risk as long as something stands to be gained. So in this regard, I would consider myself a calculated risk-taker."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I do consider myself a calculated risk-taker. In a previous job, I led a small team of developers creating a new Android app. Our team knew three competitors were working on a similar release, and we were racing against the clock. We had a few setbacks when two developers became ill, and one of the competitors had a larger marketing and PR budget. If they released their app first, our company would not make it. I decided to skip the beta-testing phase and release the app with an aggressive PR and marketing campaign. My risk paid off, and the company made $400,000 on the release."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I take calculated risks both in my professional and personal lives. The trick is to sensibly manage the risk without becoming paralyzed by too many what-if scenarios. For example, a new customer demanded that I guarantee a sevenfold productivity improvement. The customer relationship was still new and it was a big account, so I agreed, relying on our product and the strength of my colleagues. The first version only doubled productivity, but we brainstormed and iterated a few times, and in a month we achieved the target. If I hadn't taken that risk, we could easily have lost an important referenceable account."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! We can assume that the interviewer is looking for you to say that you are a calculated risk-taker so it's good that consider yourself to be one! Your example supports your assertion and shows you in a good light. Perfect.

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Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I look at all of the data and make a decision based on the information I have. It is something I do every day. If we have all the data for every project we would never make any decision. So, now in my new role, we plan a campaign. We decide the tactics for the customer. We look at the metrics. If the MCR or NCOP isn't increasing we pivot and try new metrics. You change until you find the right answer."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It's great that you consider yourself a calculated risk-taker. What type of campaign did you plan? What kind of tactics did you decide to use? What metrics did you monitor? What risk did you take? Make your example more specific to strengthen your answer. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I consider myself a calculated risk-taker as nothing can be 100% certain.

Being a risk taker however does not mean that I do not exercise due diligence when approaching a task for which I do not feel 100% prepared. Exercising due diligence is a sign of humility and respect that one does not take the responsibilities and trust that come with them lightly. For example, although I may have the experience to be able to show up at a customer engagement without prior preparation, I will perform some demonstrable preparation and/or research beforehand so the customer has evidence that I arrive invested in engagement outcome. Taking risks results from the fact that there is never enough time or resources to account for all the potential variables, the best we can do is to prepare ourselves so that those risks are based upon intelligence and due diligence. Demonstrating intelligent, due diligence is an avenue to gaining customer trust."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! The interviewer will appreciate that while you're open to taking risks, you also perform due diligence so you're as prepared as you can be. Including an example in your response (particularly one that shows your dedication to clients) makes it even more meaningful and memorable. Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"I am cautious when it comes to taking risks, and I calculate risk very carefully by doing the risk assessment outlining the pros and cons. If the benefits of taking the risks outweigh the risks, and the decision is a two-way door, then I will. if the decision is a one-way door, then I will open up a larger discussion to decide on taking that risk collectively as a group."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great answer! Assessing a situation and weighing the potential outcomes is a good strategy to share.

Behavioral

7. Tell me about someone you admire and why you admire them.

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos has said, "I've always tried hard to work only with people I admire. If you think about people you've admired in your life, they are probably people you've been able to learn from or take an example from. The smartest people are constantly revising their understanding, reconsidering a problem they thought they'd already solved. They're open to new points of view, new information, new ideas, contradictions, and challenges to their own way of thinking."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

This question is a little different from asking who your role model is. Admiring someone doesn't mean you necessarily model yourself after them. Instead, admiring someone means that you respect and approve of their approach. Amazon prides themselves in recruiting innovators and collaborative thinkers who aren't afraid to be challenged or proven wrong. They are looking for that level of emotional intelligence and consider it to be the recipe for success. This question aims to assess how like-minded you are in this regard.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I admire Jeff Bezos and his approach to leadership, innovation, and the impact he has had on the world and the future. I also admire him for the same reasons I admire Warren Buffett. These are two wise individuals whose intentions seem pure. They are also self-made from humble beginnings."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"I admire Gretta Thunberg. She has made a huge impact campaigning for the environment globally and hasn't slowed down one bit. That's a kind of relentless determination you don't see that often."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Behavioral

8. When have you had to change a major component of your project due to new information?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos is known to be stubborn about vision and flexible on the details. He advocates for patience, adaptability, and willingness to take a more difficult path toward success. He says you must be firm on where you want to go but flexible on how to get there. "Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Your interviewer is curious about what your answer will say about you as a candidate. When sharing your example, exhibit the attitude and flexibility they are looking for in their ideal candidates. Your answer should indicate emotional intelligence, confidence, and leadership potential.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"My thesis was on the homeless crisis on the West Coast of the United States. As I examined the potential root causes - systemic issues, the opioid crisis, climate, etcetera - a new piece of evidence surfaced that caused me to rethink my entire approach. Someone who had spent significant time on the streets now assisted at-risk youth, trying to get them off the streets before they were institutionalized into that way of life. They'd also created a program designed to reintroduce those who were institutionalized to society. Additionally, they educated me on their personal history and how, since the days of the hippies of the 1960s and the Grateful Dead generation and the 'Dead Heads' who followed them, living that nomadic lifestyle, a system of graffiti tagging was generated to inform those who were used to squatting in abandoned buildings which of those buildings were vacant and were considered safe to squat. I took this information and all the other information I'd already compiled and started my thesis over from scratch. In the end, my thesis was hailed by my professors, and I graduated at the top of my class."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I had a large project last month that was nearly complete when the client called to say that the specs provided were incorrect. Because of this, our team had to redo the entire proposal. It took us an additional four days of work, but, in the end, the client was delighted with our work, and it resulted in new opportunities with them."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

I would say that being in the software and technology business means changing major components of projects regularly. I am accustomed to changing gears at a moment's notice and can adapt very well.

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"We were working on an audit report with different types of questions, but the initial requirement was for MCQs only. We then received an additional requirement that would allow users to answer other kinds of questions. We needed to make significant changes to the code as a result."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a nice start! When answering 'when have you...' questions, it's best to provide a full story-based example. The STAR framework may be helpful for you here (Situation, Task, Action, Result). If you'd like to learn more, we have a guide here: Master Behavioral-Based Interviews Using The Star Method If you want to re-work the response, I am here to help :)

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Anonymous Answer

"At the beginning of a big project, I worked with raw data provided by the client. I was finalizing the system's data when the client realized that the data they provided us had the wrong IDs and was mixed up with other data. As a result, I had to work on the data again, which took a few more days to complete. In the end, the client was thrilled with our work and gave us more projects."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a good start! I recommend closely following the STAR framework and adding details to your story to set the stage more fully. If you are not familiar with STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result), we have a guide that you can access here: Master Behavioral-Based Interviews Using The Star Method

Anonymous Answer

"In February 2019, I was the project leader of the IT graduates recruitment. We started off the project with the goal to recruit 38 IT graduates and I have set the entire recruitment planning based on that number. A couple of months later, senior management decided to increase that number to 47, and I had to readjust the planning, resources, and organizational details (such as room availability for interviews, etc). By September 2019, we ended up recruiting 49 new joiners."

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific response! You've provided a clear workplace example of a change that illustrates your ability to adapt, overcome the challenge, and facilitate a positive outcome. You can enhance your response by providing more detail about the skills you used to adapt such as attention to detail, problem-solving, strategic planning, teamwork, etc. to keep the project moving forward.

Anonymous Answer

"When we were user-testing an intelligent security system, we received negative feedback from the installers. The software setup processing had too many frictions. In particular, they didn't like having to spend an hour iteratively fine-tuning the camera settings, each time waiting to check whether the new settings produced adequate image quality. I needed more information, so I arranged to watch as my cofounder followed the installation instructions. The process was unnecessarily complex, time-consuming, and unintuitive. We had built a minimum viable product when we needed a minimum delightful product. I then prioritized adding an automated camera setup wizard to the product, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you were able to recognize the product's failings and heed the negative user feedback because, in the end, you helped to dramatically improve the product. The interviewer will appreciate your flexibility and openness to making adjustments to increase customer satisfaction. Great response!

Anonymous Answer

"Everyday! One thing I can count on over the past 16 years is change is constant. I am challenged all the time to think differently. I was recently giving a presentation to corporate management via zoom. While giving the presentation management gave new info. My mgr gave me a nudge. In the middle of the presentation, I had to figure out hand gestures and pivot the talk track."

Marcie's Feedback

The interviewer will be happy to hear that you're adaptable and able to handle unexpected changes. Can you give more details about the example you cite? For example, what kind of presentation were you giving? What kind of new information were you presented with? How exactly did you pivot successfully in the midst of the presentation? Including more details will make your answer even more impactful.

Anonymous Answer

"My current project has had several delays due to frequent changes in partner applications just before we were going to start development. We had to do something different to meet target dates or not be more than 2 weeks late. We work with two partner applications to let them know what assumptions we can make to start, knowing small changes may occur later. Worked with Product owners to reduce scope. With these adjustments, we are on track."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! It sounds like you frequently deal with project changes. Can you talk more about the specifics of this project? Why are there so many changes to the partner applications? Adding some more details will further strengthen your response. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"When automating the deployment of private cloud clusters for a client, I learned after the project had begun that the PowerShell code would need to be orchestrated as part of a _____ Pipeline.

I did not have prior experience or knowledge of _____ Pipeline. I asked the customer for examples from other projects to get a better idea of expectations. Using the provided examples as a guide, I modified the project so that the code could be called from _____ Pipeline stages allowing for an audit trail to be generated and thus satisfying the customer requirement. In hindsight, we should have invested more time brainstorming, collecting, and documenting compliance requirements with the client because although a project may seem straightforward to begin with, said project is going to need to comply with pre-existing standards that the customer may forget to mention because it is assumed that the project already knows about these standards."

Marcie's Feedback

You've done a great job here using the STAR (situation, task, action, response) method to answer this question. In addition, this example is a good one to cite because it clearly shows a time when you had to make project changes based on new information. To further strengthen your response, talk more about the end result of the project. Was the client ultimately satisfied? Nice job!

Behavioral

9. Culture fit is important to us at Amazon. How would you describe your personality?

What You Need to Know

Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has called Amazon "the best place in the world to fail." As Amazon states on their website, "Building the future is inspiring and fun, but it's not easy. Amazon employees aren't just encouraged to come up with the next big idea, they're empowered to own and build it. Being a builder comes with an appetite for risk taking." They also refer to themselves as 'peculiar,' saying, "we don't mind being called peculiar. We have our own way of doing things. We're obsessed with customers, we see beauty in simplifying the complex, and we're comfortable being misunderstood. That might sound unorthodox, but our unusual approach and our culture - focused on removing obstacles so builders can build."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Perform as much research as possible to get a firm grasp on their work culture and the kinds of employees they are looking to hire. Explore their blog, where they cover this very topic on occasion. Then closely examine yourself and your professional career and map out how well you are already aligned with their work culture. Amazon prides themselves on finding passionate 'builders' with leadership potential and emotional maturity. These are people who aren't afraid of hard work. Jeff Bezos says they are always looking for builders, and those who are passionate about their work are hard workers who go the distance.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I'd say that I am an oddball that marches to the beat of my own drum. I always look at things sideways or upside down, trying to view things from every angle. I'm not afraid to fail. I count on failing most of the time until I don't, and I live for that 'aha' moment. I am driven, determined, and have a unique perspective that drives my success."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I would describe myself as a customer-obsessed do-er. I like to give and receive feedback, which I implement immediately. I am adaptable and not stuck on particular rules. I believe in flexibility and creativity while remaining considerate to my employer and coworkers."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

"I believe my personality will fit well with the Amazon culture since I am an independent decision-maker who widely accepts and implements feedback."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Being a curious, organized, and passionate about technology individual, I like to build ideas for the future and not for the present. I always think about what I'm doing right now and then scale it multiple times. My creativity helps me think out of the box, and to do that, I usually push my boundaries. I feel that I can bring my voice to your team and embrace its challenges."

Rachelle's Feedback

The fact that you look at scaling multiple times is an excellent touch that a company like Amazon would certainly appreciate. You do a great job explaining why you are a fit for the Amazon culture!

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Anonymous Answer

"I believe in giving and taking feedback. I see myself as a fit in the culture because I always tend to improve based on feedback. Feedback can come from peers, managers, or customers."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's wonderful that you are ready and willing to take feedback! Besides this, to dig in even deeper, are you able to describe your personality traits and how they fit into Amazon's culture?

Anonymous Answer

"I am a do-er with a great focus on my client (either those would be internal or external to the company), with strong stakeholder management skills who remain flexible to adapt to their needs. I like leveraging technology and being creative on my day-to-day as a way of always seeking improvement."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a positive start! It shows that you can take initiative and have developed strong customer-focused skills. Make this answer even stronger by telling the interviewer how you use technology or creativity to drive continuous improvement in your daily workflow and by sharing what personality traits inspire you to do so, such as openness, resilience, kindness, optimism, etc.

Anonymous Answer

"Being customer-obsessed, curious, and passionate, I like to give and receive feedback. My creativity helps me think out of the box, and to do that, I usually push my boundaries. I like to brainstorm and I never start anything without a plan. I have the feeling that I can bring my voice to your team and accept its challenges."

Amanda's Feedback

Your response makes it clear that you thrive in collaborative environments. You can strengthen your answer even more by talking about a time when these characteristics - creativity, openness to feedback, strategic thinking, customer focus - benefited your work team or a specific project. Share how leveraging these characteristics helped you or your team achieve a positive result.

Anonymous Answer

"I tend to be fairly reserved initially. But I am project-driven. Give me a project that needs to get done, I'll give it my all."

Amanda's Feedback

Interviewers ask this question because your personality can be a strong indicator of how well you'll get along with other company members. Your answer reflects that you're a dedicated employee with a very strong work ethic, but there is typically much more to your personality than just your work ethic. Consider giving the interviewer more insight into what motivates and inspires you by mentioning the qualities you feel best represent you and of which you are proudest. You can also review the job description or posting to pull out the required soft skills or qualities that align with your personality, which makes you a more valuable candidate.

Anonymous Answer

"I would describe myself as a customer and user focus designer. I like to give and receive feedback, which I implement immediately. I am adaptable and not stuck on particular responsibilities. I believe in flexibility and creativity while remaining considerate to my manager and my colleagues."

Chad's Feedback

It is great to see that you found the Mock Questions answer example useful as a framework for your response, yet were able to revise it slightly to ensure it is true to your personality. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I would say my most relevant features are ownership, getting things done, creativity and learning. A big thinker and team player that does not have other ambition than to get the job done with the highest standards."

Stephanie's Feedback

These are excellent personality traits! To take your response up a notch, I suggest providing a specific example (or two) of how these qualities show up in your work. For example, you mention being creative. How does your creativity present at work? Can you provide a specific example?

Anonymous Answer

"I'm not a business-as-usual person. I'm always looking for ways to improve what exists and I question the unspoken assumptions in what we do. I have a bias to act. Sometimes this could mean an incremental change, such as adding coloring to the problematic section of a diagnostic plot. But other times it's inventing and simplifying, such as when I designed and added a bias metrics wizard to the product because users were too confused to make a choice from a drop-down list."

Marcie's Feedback

Have you researched the company culture at Amazon? If so, make sure your response includes aspects of your personality that align with the company's culture so the interviewer recognizes that you'll fit in well. Otherwise, your response shows that you're an out-of-the-box thinker who likes to act, which is awesome. The examples you include definitely strengthen your answer as well. Great job!

Behavioral

10. When starting at a new position, how do you earn your coworkers' trust?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos says, "The way you earn trust, the way you develop a reputation, is by doing hard things well over and over again. It really is that simple. It's also that complicated. Because in order to do hard things well, you must have integrity and competence. That means doing what you said you were going to do, and delivering. I want to live in a place where people can disagree and can still work together. I don't want to lose that." Examine the reputation you have built up for yourself as a professional and how your sense of integrity earned the trust of your teams.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Whether I deliver a strong interview or not, and whether I get hired for this position or not, I'll still have to prove myself - to you and to my teams. Despite what I share about myself, personally or professionally, my actions will reveal who I am and how trustworthy I am. So I would earn that trust, for it must be earned, by living up to my promises, working smarter, working harder, sharing, collaborating, and giving my all. I would do this consistently and prove myself to be dependable, reliable, and trustworthy."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I feel that earning trust is the foundation of any relationship, personal or professional. When starting a new position, I like to get to know my coworkers more personally. I believe asking about a coworker's family shows compassion and kindness. I earn trust by keeping my word and doing what I say I will do. I am dependable and do not call in sick or show up late to work, adding stress to my team. I never talk badly about people behind their backs or participate in office gossip, which is bullying. I think you can earn someone's trust pretty quickly by being an honest, friendly person."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I think that the most important pathway to trust in a new team is to show respect for my colleagues' skills and experience, showing my ability to learn and be curious, by listening to them and responding with questions."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent. Being respectful, curious, eager to learn, and an active listener are all great ways to build trust with new coworkers. You might also mention that you've done this successfully before and include a brief example to bolster your assertions.

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Anonymous Answer

"By listening and earning trust. Deep diving into the role - learning, being curious. Then when and where I can, when I am ready, I will invent and simplify. But that will come in time.

I am not a gossiper. I also believe in consistency, openness, and giving credit to the person/people who deserve it."

Marcie's Feedback

Listening and learning about the role will definitely help you earn the trust of your coworkers because then you'll become knowledgeable and someone they can rely on. You can also be friendly, avoid gossiping, share information with them, be consistent, and give credit to others when it's due. These are all ways you can gain the respect and trust of your coworkers.

Anonymous Answer

"Trust can be built by demonstrating you can be dependable, and able to work with coworkers to help resolve impediments, even if it is not your responsibility, tackle this as our problem to solve, compared to your problem."

Marcie's Feedback

It's definitely a good idea to show that you're dependable and collaborative when trying to earn the trust of your coworkers. What else? Do you try to be communicative and an active listener? How about honesty and transparency? Do you stick to your word and admit when you're wrong? Also, can you talk about a time when you earned the trust of someone else? Explain to the interviewer exactly how you did this. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"Every project represents a new opportunity to build relationships and trust with colleagues. Being too focused on immediate results rather than establishing rapport can make people feel unvalued. I approach my colleagues by being curious about their challenges, then humbly offering help so they do not feel alone in their efforts. I think that follow-through is very important when establishing trust. It is too easy to simply demonstrate a passing interest in someone else's issues, but to pick up the pickaxe and work side-by-side with them that is how to build trust. Then, in exchange, when vulnerable, I let others help me. Having each other's back is important to building trust. Also helping others is an excellent way to expose yourself to new learning opportunities."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Being willing to both give and receive help is definitely one way to build trust with colleagues. Following through and showing that you're trustworthy is another. Other ways you can build trust include being honest, transparent, and a strong communicator, being willing to take accountability for mistakes, honoring your commitments, being an active listener, and responding with constructive feedback. Also, if you can talk about a time when you earned someone's trust, that will make your answer even more meaningful. Good job!

Career Goals

11. We seek to hire highly ambitious people. Where would you like your career with Amazon to take you?

What You Need to Know

Your interviewer expects you to have some vision or trajectory of where you would like to take your career if you are hired for this position. Before your interview, research all the potential opportunities a career at Amazon could offer you and revise your long-term career goals accordingly. Jeff Bezos is a visionary who promotes a culture of visionaries focused on their long-term goals and being adaptable in how to accomplish those goals. "Willingness to be long-term oriented and willingness to be misunderstood, willingness to fail, those cultural traits are important contributors to what we have built at Amazon." Talk to the interviewer about your career ambitions specifically related to this role and their organization.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I would like to work my way up through management, preferable into Human Resources, perhaps in the Cloud Division. There seem to be some great people who work there, and they seem to be doing some amazing things there. It is where Amazon's current CEO came from, after all."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"One of the reasons I was so excited to interview with Amazon is because of the endless growth opportunities you offer your high-performing employees. My biggest ambition is to be awarded a management role in the next three to five years. I am happy to begin at the Tech U level and work my way up until your team believes I am ready."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"What interests me most about your company is that there are so many options for career growth. Ideally, I would like to earn my way into a team lead role, then a division manager position in the software development department. Of course, I understand that this will take many years of dedication and hard work."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"What interests me most about your company is that there are so many options for career growth. Ideally, I would like to earn my way into a software development manager role, then to a next-level position in the software development department. Of course, I understand that this will take many years of dedication and hard work."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good personalization! What will it take, specifically, for you to earn this promotion? (i.e., additional coursework?)

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Anonymous Answer

"I see enormous opportunities for growth at Amazon, which hires the best people in the industry. I want to reach a technical leadership level within two to three years. I understand that it will take a lot of learning and effort, but I am ready to apply my efforts to reach the goal."

Rachelle's Feedback

This answer is a great start! When it comes to the additional learning and efforts you will need to reach this goal, I recommend including a few specifics. Including more detail will show the interviewer that you have put significant thought into achieving this career growth with Amazon.

Anonymous Answer

"One of the reasons I am so excited to interview you is the endless growth opportunities Amazon offers its high-performing employees. I want to be a team lead soon, and my biggest ambition is to be a manager. I am happy to begin in a Business Analyst role and work my way up until the team believes that I am ready. I understand that this will take many years of dedication and hard work, but I want to grow with the company."

Rachelle's Feedback

Great use of the Mock Questions example answers! I like how you have personalized these to make them your own.

Anonymous Answer

"I am targeting a management role in recruitment within the next 5 years. After that, I would like to transition into a senior role in HR. I am also open to relocation, as discovering multiple cultures is one of my drives."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a solid start to this response. You've laid out a clear timeline, demonstrating that you've truly considered your career path. You can further strengthen your response by telling the interviewer about the leadership expertise or HR management skills you hope to gain from each role as you grow in expertise.

Anonymous Answer

"One of the reasons I was so excited to interview with Amazon is because of the endless growth opportunities that you offer your high-performing employees. My biggest ambition is to be awarded a management role in the next 3-5 years. I am happy to begin at the level I applied for and work my way up until your team believes that I am ready."

Amanda's Feedback

Wonderful response! You've related why you want to work for Amazon and how you see yourself progressing. Make your response even stronger by talking about the skills you have that will help you progress along this path such as strong team leadership, communication, or problem-solving, and how you plan to improve those skills along the way.

Anonymous Answer

"What interests me about Amazon is that its operations in the APAC region are large enough to be managed locally. I want to become one of the region's strategic leaders within AWS."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you've pinpointed a clear goal that you'd like to achieve at Amazon. Why does the role of a regional strategic leader interest you? Can you talk a bit about how you plan to reach this level? Emphasize your desire to be ambitious since this is what the interviewer will be seeking.

Anonymous Answer

"I realize I need to learn the role first. In a couple of years I would like to be a team lead."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Why do you aspire to become a team lead? Have you enjoyed managing others in the past and look forward to doing this again? If so, mention this. The goal in answering this question is to show your passion for the industry and that you're motivated and ambitious to grow within the company. Do this by providing more details and an explanation of why you aspire to be a team lead one day. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I'm honored that colleagues approach me for advice on personal matters as well as work. Many tell me in private that when I speak out at a team meeting that I'm expressing the same thoughts that they themselves have but hold back from saying. I think with these attributes and once proven myself to Amazon and my colleagues my value as a customer-focused team player, I would explore a career path that would allow me to lead and mentor the upcoming generation of Amazonians. The managers and leaders whom I have most respected led by example, and I would like to honor them by becoming one of those leaders myself and carrying on the tradition of passing on the torch."

Marcie's Feedback

Fantastic. Wanting to move up into positions where you can lead and mentor others is great, and the interviewer will no doubt be impressed by your desire to help others and be a voice for them. This is a strong response. Excellent job!

Career Goals

12. What are your professional goals for the next five years?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos once hired an employee he was interviewing after only asking her two questions. One of the questions he asked was what her career goals were. She answered that she wanted to be surrounded by ambitious and passionate people to learn from. One of Amazon's Leadership Principles is to 'Learn and Be Curious.' Leaders are never done learning and consistently seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. Describe your professional goals in the next five years, including educational advancement, leadership development, and personal development.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I would like to move through the rank in management, being provided many opportunities to showcase my talents and hopefully catch the eye of senior management. I would eventually like to be on a first-name basis with Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"My professional goals over the next five years include obtaining my master's degree in innovative leadership and putting the new skills I will learn to use with your company. After I gain a few years of experience within the company, I would like to advance to the Senior Continuous Improvement Expert position."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am focused on improving my leadership skills so I could grow into a Lead / Manager position in the next couple of years. On the education side, I am looking into specializing even further on HR Management topics throughout a Master's program at a Belgian University."

Amanda's Feedback

I see where you're going here. Make your response even clearer by talking about the specific actions you're taking to improve your leadership skills such as advanced training, mentoring others, or taking on new responsibilities or challenges. If possible, you can also share the timeline for starting and/or completing the HR management master's program.

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Anonymous Answer

"Five years is a very long time period and the world is in a very rapid process of change, so it would not be right for me to give a clear answer to this question, but I would like to see myself as a respected manager in the next five years."

Amanda's Feedback

Employers often ask this question auto gain a clearer insight into your future goals and how those goals match up with the position you're applying for. While you may not know exactly where you see yourself in 5 years, can help ensure a productive interview. However, it doesn't mean you have to name a particular role you want to be in. It could be as simple as naming skills you want to gain, the path you see yourself taking to becoming a respected manager (Is there another role you need to advance to first?), naming a particular committee or project you'd like to work on, or talking about any additional training or certifications you'd like to earn that would help further your career. Where possible, draw connections between your career goals and the skills or traits required by the job description for the role you're applying to.

Anonymous Answer

"I want to further polish my go-to-market (GTM) skills and progress to become the GTM leader for the APAC region."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome. Can you talk more about why this is your goal? What about becoming the GTM leader for the APAC region appeals to you? What do you enjoy about being involved in the GTM aspect of a business? Also, don't forget to reiterate why you can only achieve this goal of yours at Amazon (and not at another company).

Anonymous Answer

"To expand my horizons. To learn and be curious. To think big and expand my ecosystem. Become a leader again."

Marcie's Feedback

While your goals sound neat, they sound a bit rhetorical. Can you also include some goals that are more concrete by nature? Like, what job title are you aspiring to within the next five years? Do you have the goal of growing within the same company during the next five years? Are you planning to take any specific courses in order to expand your horizons and learn? Do you want to manage a large team again and why? Avoid sounding vague. Being specific will show the interviewer that you're truly dedicated to these goals. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"Over the next five years, I would like to see myself develop as a successful technical leader with a track record of building long-term trust relationships, leading by example (principles), and giving back to the community. Measurable achievements could include number of public speaking engagements, number of customer contract renewals, happy memories, and friendships."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! These are great professional goals that you have set for yourself, and the interviewer will no doubt be impressed. Mentioning relationship building, leading by example, and giving back to the community are all positives, as is listing the ways in which you plan to measure your progress in this area. Great answer!

Compatibility

13. Do you have a Prime account? Name two benefits of having an Amazon Prime account.

What You Need to Know

To be an effective representative of Amazon, you'll first need to be a loyal customer. Amazon prides itself on being customer obsessed. So to be obsessed with your customers at Amazon, you also need to be a customer. Therefore, your interviewer wants to know how familiar you are with the full suite of offerings as an Amazon Prime Member. This is where you will not only showcase your familiarity with the perks Amazon Prime offers with shipping, shopping, streaming through Amazon Prime Video, reading through kindle, along with numerous other benefits. How you answer could tell them whether you are looking for any job anywhere or if you specifically want to work for them.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I've been a Prime Member for eight years now. Free shipping is an outstanding perk, especially when it arrives the same day or the next day. Also, the biggest benefit for me is access to Amazon Prime Video. I'm a huge 'Rings of Power' fan. That show is Amazing, as so much of their original programming has proven to be."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I have been an Amazon Prime member for the past four months. I order a lot from Amazon, and the free shipping feature will save me a lot of money this year. I also often listen to music at home, so the music streaming service is fantastic, too."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"Amazon Prime Video and also the Prime Reading feature are the two benefits that sold me on my membership last year. The fact that I can borrow books from the Prime Reading catalog and read them on my e-reader is amazing. I know there are dozens of benefits to a Prime membership; however, those two are the ones I use most."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have been an Amazon Prime member for the past nine months. I order a lot from Amazon, from small daily stuff to new devices. The free next-day shipping feature in the UK has saved me a lot of money and mostly time during these months. I have also used the Prime Wardrobe a couple of times. I'm a regular shopper, and I like the fact that I can try on any new item for my wardrobe at the convenience of my home and later pay for only the items I will keep."

Rachelle's Feedback

You certainly do have experience with Amazon Prime! Great answer. It's very helpful and genuine.

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Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I have a Prime account and have had it for the last three years. Initially, I bought it for faster deliveries, but it also became a source of entertainment for my whole family. My kids loved watching the Amazon original series for kids and some movies, too."

Rachelle's Feedback

Great enthusiasm! You do a nice job showing the interviewer that you are in-the-know with Amazon's wide range of services.

Anonymous Answer

"I have been an Amazon Prime member for the past four years. I order a lot from Amazon, and the free shipping feature will save me a lot of money this year. I can literally buy and find anything on Amazon."

Rachelle's Feedback

You are an excellent advocate for Amazon Prime!

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I do have a Prime account which helps me to have my order quickly in free shipping and have an unlimited reading with Kindle."

Rachelle's Feedback

These are great perks, indeed! Simpler questions like this may be asked as a conversation starter or warm-up. Your answer shows that you are familiar with the Amazon Prime offering.

Anonymous Answer

"I like the Twitch subscription benefit. While my wife likes the shipping."

Amanda's Feedback

With this question, the interviewer is trying to confirm what you know or enjoy about Prime. Consider making this response more impactful by explaining what you like about the Twitch subscription. Do you get to play new games sooner? Is it cheaper? You can also explain what you like likes about the shipping aspect such as the fact that shipping is free for Prime items and typically takes only a couple of days.

Anonymous Answer

"I order a lot from Amazon, from small daily stuff to books and toys for my daughter. I have a Prime account because free shipping is my favorite feature and saves a lot of money. In addition, it's also great to get access to Amazon Lightning Deals 30 minutes before other customers. It makes you decide to buy the item before it is out of stock."

Marcie's Feedback

Fast and free shipping is definitely a perk of the Amazon Prime subscription as is getting access to Lightning Deals. The interviewer will be happy to hear that you have a Prime account and that you're familiar with these benefits. Tie things up at the end of your response by mentioning how excited you are to be a part of the company that offers these amazing benefits to its customers.

Anonymous Answer

"I have a prime account. I am eligible for free or upgraded shipping and have access to music, books, and movies with my account that I might not have otherwise."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great start, but I suggest that you imagine you've been tasked with selling an Amazon prime account to a friend who doesn't have one and is unconvinced as to how affordable and convenient it is. What aspects would you highlight the most? How has your Amazon Prime account improved your daily quality of life? A few extra details here will make your response more memorable and convincing.

Anonymous Answer

"I have been an Amazon Prime member for many years. I like the free shipping feature since it saves me a lot of money this year. I also like Prime Video. It has a lot of wonderful free movies there. I enjoy the moment with my family to watch the Prime video during the weekend. Amazon Prime provides a wonderful service for customers."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a great start! You've illustrated that you use Amazon Prime and named two of the primary features most people really appreciate. You can make it more specific to you by talking about something you recently watched on Prime Video that you enjoyed or naming a product you always utilize prime shipping to order or that you repeatedly purchase via Subscribe & Save.

Compatibility

14. Describe a situation where you had to make a decision without data.

What You Need to Know

"Be resourceful, and navigate through ambiguity." Jeff Bezos has said that he's aimed to recruit candidates who strengthen the organization. "We want to fight entropy. The bar has to continuously go up. I ask people to visualize the company five years from now. At that point, each of us should look around and say, The standards are so high now, boy, I'm glad I got in when I did!" When Amazon interviews candidates, they are known to examine how each candidate would enhance their culture and raise the bar. They assess how each individual measures up to their leadership principles and how well their answers align with their corporate philosophy.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

One of their leadership principles is 'Bias for Action,' which states, "Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk-taking." So think about your career and where you have demonstrated that you already embrace this principle. The more you can exemplify that you are already guided by these and embody these qualities, the more successful your interview will be.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"In a past position, a client with a project we hadn't started yet suddenly needed it fast-tracked, and we needed a mock-up by the end of the day. The supervisor who had all the client data wasn't going to be in for an hour, and our team needed to know whether we should start on the project now without the necessary data on hand or wait until that supervisor came in and risk missing the deadline. So I made the call to get started now. I knew the basics of the presentation and the type of charts and spreadsheets we needed to create, so I tasked the team with building the foundation for everything. This way, when this supervisor came in, they only had to populate the data. We got moving, and when everything was finally built out, it took three hours before our supervisor arrived. They were super impressed and distributed the data. The team populated it, and we sent off the mock-up to the client hours early."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Compatibility

15. What is Amazon's company mission, and what does it mean to you?

What You Need to Know

Early on, Jeff Bezos committed to making Amazon "Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices." Over the recent years, Amazon has won a multitude of customer service awards, including:

- #1 in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years (ForeSee Experience Index: US Retail Edition)

- #1 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2010 through 2017

- #1 on the Harris poll 2016, 2017, and 2018

- #1 UK Customer Satisfaction Index 2018

- LinkedIn's Top Companies: #1 in the 2018 Top Company US Edition

Amazon describes themselves as being 'customer obsessed.' Before your interview, explore what this means, and find examples where you fit this mold. Discuss what this mission means to you and how you'll serve as an active participant should you be fortunate enough to be the chosen candidate.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I think it is important how Amazon repeatedly places value on Earth when being guided by their principles. Like so many things, there are subtle perspective shifts in how they approach things. Customer obsession rather than competitor focus. Recognizing that invention should be approached with passion. Being committed to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. But most importantly, how Amazon strives to be 'Earth's' most customer-centric company, 'Earth's' best employer, and 'Earth's' safest place to work. Earth is unifying, this approaches things from the perspective of our planet and our humanity. That's what their mission means to me."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"Amazon's mission is to be Earth's most customer-centric company. To me, this means always being a few steps ahead of your customers, delivering more than they expect, and doing so out of pure joy rather than a 'have-to' mentality. This customer-centric mentality also means creating an online experience that they respond to and makes their lives easier every time they visit."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"To be Earth's most customer-centric company is the mission of Amazon. Being customer-centric means that every decision I make here needs to be based on the customer first. I need to think a few steps ahead of their anticipated needs and deliver answers before they know what the question is!"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon's mission is to be Earth's most customer-centric company. Being customer-centric means that every decision I make needs to be based on the customer first. From small decisions, like prioritizing my daily tasks, to big decisions, like strategic moves or new innovative ideas. I want to think a few steps ahead of their anticipated needs and help them make the best decisions that would improve their lives or make them more fun!"

Rachelle's Feedback

Excellent response! You truly understand the mission of Amazon and showcase exactly how you will uphold their mission, should you be the successful candidate.

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Anonymous Answer

"Amazon's mission is to become the world's best customer-centric company and has lots of awards that show how it's reaching that goal. To me, it simply means that all my actions need to be made with the customer in mind, including the customer's needs and experience. I'll always think about how the customer will react to a feature and think like a customer."

Rachelle's Feedback

Excellent reply! It's great how you took the company's mission and then described how your mindset and actions align with that mission. Very well done.

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon's mission is to be Earth's most customer-centric company. Being the most customer-centric company means thinking about every small thing from the customer's perspective. Think big such as to provide services to the clients in an almost impossible way. Make shopping as easiest as possible for the customers and save them time."

Rachelle's Feedback

Excellent - It's evident that you understand what Amazon is looking to accomplish, and it seems that your way of thinking aligns nicely.

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon's mission is to be the most customer-centric company on Earth. Recently, Jeff Bezos announced he also wants Amazon to be the best employer on earth and the most protective of the Earth. These goals sound lofty, but along with the leadership principles, they allow the entire organization to look for ways to improve and innovate every day."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; this shows that you've done your research and have an understanding of Amazon's mission and values.

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon's mission has been 'to be Earth's most customer-centric company.' For me, that means taking responsibility for my customer experience, proactively identifying my concerns and needs, and proactively trying to solve them. For example, if an item isn't available by the planned time, Amazon reaches out and checks whether I am OK with the delay, and offers me alternatives."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you're familiar with the company's mission. Why do you want to be part of a company that is so focused on being customer-centric? Explaining why this matters to you will add even more depth to your response.

Anonymous Answer

"To be the world's most customer-centric company. To be customer-centric is to look at the world through the customer's eyes and to use your expertise and knowledge to make the customer experience as enjoyable and positive as possible - making yourself a trusted advisor in the process."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! You're clearly knowledgeable about the company's mission, which the interviewer will appreciate. Can you discuss in further detail why being customer-centric matters to you? Also, why do you want to work for a company with this mission? Use this opportunity to show how passionate you are about the company and what it does. Great job!

Compatibility

16. Amazon has 16 Leadership Principles. Name three of them and explain how you embody those principles.

What You Need to Know

Amazon's leadership principles have been developed over the last 20+ years. Jeff Bezos stated Amazon's mission was "to be Earth's most customer-centric company" in his first shareholder letter in 1997. Until 2021, there were 14 leadership principles, but two more were recently added, making 16. Familiarize yourself with each principle and how they define each one, as these are considered "an integral part of the fabric of Amazon's culture."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

When answering this question, try to go above and beyond by sharing more than three, showcasing your familiarity with what defines each principle. As they say on their site, "We use our Leadership Principles every day, whether we're discussing ideas for new projects or deciding on the best approach to solving a problem. It is just one of the things that makes Amazon peculiar." The leadership principles are Customer Obsession, Ownership, Invent and Simplify, Are Right a Lot, Learn and Be Curious, Hire and Develop the Best, Insist on the Highest Standards, Think Big, Bias for Action, Frugality, Earn Trust, Dive Deep, Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit, Deliver Results, Strive to be Earth's Best Employer, & Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"Ownership is the first one I readily identify with, as I have a lot of integrity, and take ownership over my responsibilities, my mistakes, all of it. Also, Hire and Develop the Best. I earned the nickname of coach early on, because I am always coaching others and helping them along. Developing my peers and my teams is something that comes naturally to me. Also, Dive Deep resonates with me. If I need answers, I will find them. If there is work to be done, I will set the pace. I love participating, and enjoy getting my hands dirty."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I have read through Amazon's leadership principles, and the ones that resonated with me most were earning trust, having a backbone, and delivering results. I wholeheartedly agree that a good leader will treat others respectfully, despite a difference of opinion. I am sure to see setbacks as challenges versus roadblocks. Lastly, I am unafraid to challenge a decision respectfully if I feel passionate about it."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I was pleased to see that Amazon has such solid leadership principles that are so well laid out. The three that stood out to me the most were customer obsession, ownership, and frugality. As a former business owner, I understand the importance of working with tight resources, even if they are not. This practice can encourage a lot of creativity. Customers are everything, so being obsessed with earning their trust will always work out in your favor. Lastly, I agree that a leader should act like an owner in every single way. Long-term thinking is important, as is jumping in wherever needed rather than acting as though it's not your job. Leaders are never above a task."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I was pleased to explore Amazon's 14 leadership principles. The three most related to me are Customer Obsession, Ownership, and Learn & Be Curious. Being customer-obsessed, I believe customers are the most important for the success of any company. Other than that, leaders should have Ownership. I have done so many different tasks within the different departments of the company. I believe ownership plays a vital role in learning and developing yourself. In the end, leaders are always learning new things and are curious about innovations. That's the crucial step to be successful."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a good start! I did notice that the part about how you embody these principles is generally missing. It seems you pivoted into giving more of an overall lesson (i.e., in the end, leaders are always learning...). Try to keep your response personal to you and your experiences. I have created a starter for you below.

"I was pleased to explore Amazon's 14 Leadership Principles. The three most related to me are Customer Obsession, Ownership, and Learn & Be Curious. I believe customers are the most important factor in any company's success. (Describe how you exude Customer Obsession. You could include a brief story of a time when you showed this trait). When it comes to Ownership, I have shown this trait during various tasks within different departments of my company... (such as? Remember, an interviewer wants to hear measurable results and actions). I commit to continual learning, and I am curious about innovations. For instance, I...(discuss how you have displayed learning and curiosity over the recent few months)."

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Anonymous Answer

"My 3 favorite leadership principles are:

1) Invent and simply: When I was at _______, I invented new demos and redesigned existing ones to reduce complexity and simplify the messaging, resulting in intuitive and engaging demos that shortened sales cycles.

2) Hire and develop the best: I built two new teams at _______, hiring primarily for raw talent, then mentoring them to polish their skills. Some of my team members subsequently won global awards for their performance.

3) Earn trust: A key part of trust is shared goals. Life isn't a zero-sum game. So I primarily use a "giver" approach at work, helping others to be successful, even when it isn't my job or doesn't directly benefit me. For example, I helped a colleague unblock a project with a local bank. Some of the bank employees were blocking progress. My colleague came to me because I had helped him previously, even though it wasn't my job. Then I had to build trust with the bank employees, by listening as they described their problems, honestly accepting responsibility, and then committing to actions that would delight them. That project subsequently won an industry award, and a senior executive at the bank publicly thanked me for my contributions."

Marcie's Feedback

You have done an excellent job explaining how you embody three of Amazon's leadership principles. The examples you provide for each bolster your assertions that these principles matter to you. In addition, your 'giver' approach is interesting and really shows the type of person you are (a true leader who cares!), which will definitely impress the interviewer. Great response!

Anonymous Answer

"The 16 leadership principles resonated with me and are clearly an important part of the AWS culture. Customer obsession, learning and being curious, and hiring and developing the best talent. Customer obsession - customers are at the heart of any business. Learn and be curious - never stop learning. and last, hiring and developing the best talent is critical to every successful organization."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that those three leadership principles resonate with you, but can you talk more about how you embody them? Are you obsessed with making sure customers are satisfied? Do you always strive to learn new things? Have you hired and developed talent in the past that led to a great team? And then can you back up your claims with examples that show you're customer-obsessed, curious, and an advocate of hiring good people? Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"The principles of Customer Obsession, Ownership, and Trust stand out to me because these three principles drive my behaviour when engaging with others. Customers can be anyone. When you help a colleague internally, they are an internal customer of your services. Being obsessed with customers requires humility and a willingness to serve in the best interest of others; by making the challenges of others your own and demonstrating a commitment to help to the best of your ability builds trust and respect and repeat business. You become the trusted advisor/trusted colleague. It's a great feeling."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent. You've done a wonderful job of explaining why the Customer Obsession principle resonates with you. Can you also delve deeper into why the Ownership and Trust principles speak to you? Nice job!

Competency

17. Who is the CEO of Amazon?

What You Need to Know

Andy Jassy is the current CEO of Amazon. On May 26th, 2021, at Amazon's annual shareholder meeting, Jeff Bezos announced he would officially step down as CEO on July 5th and move into the position of Executive Chair, where he could focus more efforts on philanthropy and his space company Blue Origin. He chose July 5th because it was the anniversary of Amazon when it was incorporation in 1994.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

This question is designed to test how current your knowledge of the company is. Amazon and Jeff Bezos are both household names, and most people are aware of both. However, many people may have taken for granted his role in Amazon and not paid attention to Andy Jassy's promotion to CEO. Before his role as CEO, he was the head of the cloud division at Amazon. Learn what you can about Andy Jassy, what Jeff Bezos is up to today, and where they both feel Amazon is heading in the near future.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"The current CEO of Amazon is Andy Jassy."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"In 2020, Andy Jassy replaced Jeff Bezos as the Chief Executive Officer of Amazon. Prior, Jassy served as the CEO of Amazon Web Services. Jeff Bezos still serves on the board and as Executive Chair of Amazon."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Competency

18. This role with Amazon is highly technical. What is your understanding of this position and the responsibilities that come with it?

What You Need to Know

Assure the interviewer that you understand the technical requirements attached to this particular job. Research the role and thoroughly consume the information provided in its job posting/job description. Keep your answer to the point.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Based on the description and the responsibilities, this role feels very similar to my current position and in the range of my professional experience. I am capable of performing the duties described, and I feel my resume can attest to that. I am primarily interested in the growth opportunities such a position will present within the company shortly. I was attracted to the position and would consider leaving my current position partly because of the growth opportunities and Amazon's company culture, which feels more suited to my personality."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"From our previous conversation, the job description, and the information I found regarding the role online, I feel that the job is best described as a project leader focused on algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented design. The technical requirements that you would like to see are Java and C/C++ in a Linux environment. I am well versed in the tasks and programs you are asking for and am confident that I meet the strict requirements to perform in this role successfully."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

"I understand you seek a candidate with expert-level skills in C/C++ and Java in a Linux environment who can train junior employees. I am an expert user in these areas. Do you have any questions about my technical expertise?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Understanding the job description, I think you are looking for people that meet the technical requirements of knowing SQL and Tableau. You would also like people with some knowledge of Python. I am good at using SQL and Tableau, and I understand that you'd like me to develop better Python skills. Regarding the responsibilities, I have worked on similar duties in the past, so I am confident that I successfully meet the strict requirements to perform in this role well."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good start! Just a touch more detail in some areas, and you will have a very compelling response. I have offered a few suggestions below.

"Understanding the job description, I think the technical requirements Amazon would like to see are SQL and Tableau, as well as some knowledge of Python. I am highly skilled in SQL and Tableau, and I am developing myself in Python. Regarding the responsibilities, I have worked on similar kinds of responsibilities previously (Such as? Try to include measurable statements), so I am confident that I meet the strict requirements to perform in this role successfully."

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Anonymous Answer

"I have read the job description multiple times and understand that the job requires a deep understanding of software engineering principles, OOPs concepts, and the skill to manage and lead teams. I have the skills to manage and lead teams with a strong understanding of the concepts needed for the job. I will be able to perform according to company standards."

Rachelle's Feedback

You have clearly read through the responsibilities of the role, which is good! If you have examples of recent work where you have deployed these skills, try to offer examples of how you have applied them in your current position (software engineering principles, OOPs concepts, and the skills to manage and lead the teams).

Anonymous Answer

"I think the role I'm applying for is not highly technical. I applied for a Brand Specialist role."

Amanda's Feedback

This may simply be a matter of perspective. If you do not view the role as technical, share your understanding of the role's requirements with the interviewer and how you have the skills, experience, and capability to fulfill the demands of the role. Then, ask the interviewer if there are any additional technical proficiencies you've overlooked. If the interviewer relates additional technical aspects, then share how your qualifications align with those needs.

Anonymous Answer

"This is a "go to market" (GTM) role, driving AI/ML sales and marketing operations. The responsibilities include building and leading AWS' business development efforts for its AI/ML products, including customer engagements. I note that AWS is looking for a candidate with both business and machine learning experience, and I believe that I am a unique match due to my decades of experience as a business leader who has led successful ML projects. For example, I was called to help unblock a project with a financial services enterprise in Europe when one of the C-Suite didn't trust machine learning. I had the gravitas to speak to him as an equal, and, using my understanding of people and business to speak to him in terms he understood, was able to nudge him toward a decision to approve system deployment."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent response. You explain the intricacies of the role perfectly as well as why you're perfectly suited for it. The example you include strengthens your answer. Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"The role of Solutions Architect requires an intimate knowledge of cloud design patterns and how to apply them using AWS offerings to meet customer requirements. The ideal candidate needs to be a good listener, focused on the customer's success rather than selling the product. The role requires intellectual curiosity and the ability to dive deep into technical discussions that yield real-world results for the client."

Marcie's Feedback

And are you all of these things? A good listener? Customer-focused? Intellectually curious, and so on? Make sure to connect your description of the position and its requirements to yourself and what you have to offer.

Creative Thinking

19. We encourage innovation at Amazon. What does innovation mean to you?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos said, "To invent, you have to experiment, and if you know in advance that it's going to work, it's not an experiment. Failure and invention are inseparable twins. That resourcefulness of trying new things, figuring things out, it pays off in everything." Amazon frequently references innovation. 'Invent and Simplify' is one of their leadership principles, touching on leaders needing to expect and require innovation and invention from their teams. Amazon believes that being innovative includes an awareness of new ideas and never being limited by the 'we don't do that here' mentality. Share how you embody this mindset to display yourself as a strong fit for the company.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Innovation is making a macro scale improvement to the way something was previously done. Conversely, kaizen is making small improvements that can collectively produce large results. For something to be innovative, it takes an original approach that has never been tried or done before."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"In my previous role, I was fortunate enough to introduce my company to the idea of a gold-level service which added service options to our general customer service. Our customer base responded positively, and we kept the program running for a few years. To me, innovation is creating new products and services that are useful to customers and also help my company stand out further in their space."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

"I fully agree with Amazon that innovation means being someone who thrives on change and remains nimble in their work. Innovation can mean creating a new and powerful idea, and it can also mean simplifying an existing one."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Innovation means to invent new ideas or new products. Innovation makes either our work or daily routine easier."

Rachelle's Feedback

Could you expand on these thoughts a bit further? Amazon places a lot of importance on 'invent and simplify,' so I suggest using more of their language when delivering your interview answers. For instance, you could incorporate thoughts from this clip taken from the Amazon careers site: "Invent and Simplify Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by "not invented here." As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time."

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Anonymous Answer

"Innovation is about making sure you're always looking for better, always looking to improve things, either that would be through inventing something new and generating new ideas, or through changing your processes and making improvements so they always look faster, cheaper, and better in some way."

Amanda's Feedback

I can see your intention in this response. However, you can improve it by focusing on the impact of improving processes, workflows, or ideas for the customer or for your team members. See the revised response provided.

"Innovation is all about making improvements to processes, workflows, products, or services that help people work more efficiently, meet an emerging customer need, enhance the customer experience, or positively impact the work environment."

Anonymous Answer

Amanda's Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In one of my previous roles, I was fortunate enough to introduce my company to the idea of virtual showrooms, but they did not find my idea very attractive so I continued my way with a company that was open to such innovative ideas. After the pandemic, like most sectors in the world, digitalization has rapidly gained importance in the textile industry, and the company I used to work for heard that we sold products with the collections we prepared in digital environments, without customers visiting us and my previous senior called to learn more about it. At that time, I confirmed how important innovation is and how right my decision was by running after it. As you can see I even changed my work for innovation so it does mean a lot to me."

Amanda's Feedback

You've shared a strong example that shows how you innovated in a previous role, but you can make this response more impactful by talking about why innovation is important to you. Does innovation mean solving problems strategically or using techniques to save time or money? Consider also talking about how innovation helps a company or employee stay competitive or grow.

Anonymous Answer

"Innovation means questioning the status quo and inventing better ways to achieve a goal. My favorite innovations are those that simplify the customer experience and remove friction. For example, several years ago I discovered Amazon EC2 instances, with their intuitive wizards to set up a virtual computer on the cloud. That solved my problem of occasional requirements for more powerful hardware, without requiring me to be an engineer."

Marcie's Feedback

You provide an excellent definition of innovation, and the interviewer will be happy to hear that you like to innovate with the customer and their experience in mind. While the discovery of Amazon EC2 instances made things easier for you, is it possible to cite an example of a time when you yourself were innovative or thought outside the box?

Anonymous Answer

"Innovation means a few things. It could mean creating something new - FOAK like I did at ______ when we combined MBSE with MODSIM composites for a large A&D OEM - which was a totally think big project. Or it could be taking an existing project and simplifying it like moving from PDF to project planning so it is easily editable."

Marcie's Feedback

Be careful using lots of acronyms and jargon in your answers - you might confuse the interviewer. Otherwise, you've provided some good definitions of innovation and backed them up with examples - great! Just make sure to clearly explain your examples and pick ones that show your innovative thinking. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"To me, innovation is finding a new way of doing things rather than relying upon what has worked in the past. It is not simply following an age-old process, but questioning whether that process can be done better. Jeff Bezos, found of Amazon, is adamant that Amazon must remain a Day 1 company. Day 1 companies are always looking for ways to look around corners and anticipate what the customer requires to have an even better experience tomorrow than they did today. To do this requires a mindset that doesn't settle for good enough, but for what might be possible. As soon as you settle for good enough, your company has become Day 2 and is on its way out - maybe not tomorrow but eventually.

To keep fresh and engaged, requires an innovative mindset that looks for new ways to delight and satisfy the customer."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! It's clear that you fully understand what it means to be innovative. Plus, mentioning the company's founder and how Amazon always strives to be innovative is very effective because it shows you're knowledgeable about the company and truly understand its mindset. Fantastic answer!

Creative Thinking

20. Amazon has over 300 million active customers. How do you think we can attract an even larger customer base?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos wrote a shareholder letter in 1999 where he stated, "I constantly remind our employees to be afraid, to wake up every morning terrified. Our customers have made our business what it is, and we consider them to be loyal to us, right up until the second that someone else offers them a better service." That's why Jeff Bezos says everyone needs to come to work seeing every day as day one. He shares his philosophy of fighting complacency, and committing to "constant improvement, experimentation and innovation in every initiative." Therefore, your interviewer is curious about what kind of attitude you'll bring with you to work and how you will contribute to creating a better service.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"People work from home, shop from home, watch movies from home. Amazon delivers groceries and household goods; they've even partnered with Grubhub. Amazon finds new ways of delivering it all to your door, all while reducing global impact. I think it takes moving along the lines of finding better ways to serve your customers, such as prescription delivery. The more Amazon can do that, the more customers they'll attract."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I recently read that of Amazon's 300 million active customers, about 100 million are Amazon Prime members. I think the fastest, most effective way to gain a larger customer base is to create a fun marketing plan that encourages people to subscribe and then connect it to a reward when they refer a friend who has never subscribed. The 'send a coupon to a friend' method is often quite effective for gaining new leads and subscribers."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"The cost of shipping is a common objection for those opposed to shopping online. Offering free shipping to customers is a great way to entice people to try Amazon for the first time. I know that Amazon has done this in the past, but I imagine its effect makes it worth doing often. Also, gifting Amazon Prime memberships for a short time could be highly effective."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I recently read that of Amazon's 310 million active customers, about 100 million of those are Amazon Prime members. While The cost of shipping (internationally) is a common objection for those opposed to shopping online, I think offering free shipping to customers is a great way to entice people to try Amazon for the first time. I know that Amazon is doing this now. However, in South Africa, the cost of shipping combined with the nightmare customs clearance process ruins the whole Amazon experience. I imagine there is an opportunity to explore how Amazon can get products to its customers in Africa without getting stuck in the inefficient customs process. Also, gifting Amazon Prime memberships (for international customers) for a short time could be highly effective."

Chad's Feedback

It is great to see that you found the Mock Questions answer examples useful yet could add location-specific details to highlight an area of potential growth. Good start! I suggest rewriting the response in your own words to personalize it to you.

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Anonymous Answer

"There aren't many people who don't know what Amazon is. We joined for the free shipping. If they haven't joined yet they weren't getting value out of it.

There can be other benefits as well. Personally, I use the Twitch subscription. More benefits along those lines."

Amanda's Feedback

You're right. Amazon is a well-known company, especially for those who appreciate the online shopping option, but your answer illustrates that there are other benefits that may be less well-known such as gaming subscriptions. You can enhance your answer by explaining what kind of benefits would be attractive to you outside of shipping, such as additional gaming subscriptions.

Anonymous Answer

"Loyalty. If you honestly earn the trust of your active customers, they'll bring more."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a great start. After all, customer loyalty is a huge asset to any company. However, your response should be more specific and detailed. How exactly would Amazon increase customer loyalty? If you could contribute to decision-making in this area, what strategies would you suggest?

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon has a huge consumer base, so I think the opportunities for growth lie with expanding business customers, especially outside of the USA. For example, the Amazon store in Singapore often imports products from the USA. I think there's an opportunity to create a simple-to-use automated store-front and logistics package for locally-based suppliers and promote these suppliers on the website to encourage partisan loyalty from Singaporean consumers."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! Your response is logical and you've provided a great idea for growth. Any interviewer will undoubtedly be impressed by this response.

Anonymous Answer

"Educational institutions are very cost-sensitive customers, but also provide a great platform to influence future generations to adopt AWS. Get AWS to be an easy choice for educational institutions. I think Microsoft's market infiltration into education with student discounts makes Azure a default choice for expansion into the cloud. A potential opportunity would be to offer Amazon Outpost at a discount to universities in order to win over University IT operations to the Amazon way of doing things. With an AWS infrastructure embedded in the university, students will have more opportunities to be exposed to AWS."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! This is an excellent suggestion in terms of how the company can attract even more customers. Any interviewer would be impressed by this smart, logical, and thoughtful response. Nice!

Creative Thinking

21. Jeff Bezos walks into your office and says you can have a million dollars to launch your best entrepreneurial idea. What is it?

What You Need to Know

This is a common question Jeff Bezos has asked his candidates, and he uses it to identify his superstars. He has stated in interviews that the ideas we come up with are often ideas others have already come up with and are doing well. But those who have original innovative ideas and act on them invent and simplify. This is the core of one of their leadership principles: "Leaders are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by 'not invented here.' As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time." So this question aims to assess how in line you are with this leadership principle and how you would embrace it if given the opportunity.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"An affordable 3D printer model, where instead of having a product shipped to you, you could order it, and it would be delivered right to your 3D printer. If Amazon could offer an affordable desktop printer that was proprietary to their customers, that would be amazing, and that would be the project I would want to spearhead."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"I call it Holoview. It would be like zoom or FaceTime, but a hologram. A person would be recreated in the room with you as if they were there. The AI of the algorithm could use two cameras to make it seem as if this person was hanging out with you while you met with them. Or perhaps another approach would be the screen you were speaking with was a 3D representation of the person you were talking to, so it felt more like you were looking through a window, and the person was really in the room with you."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Customer Service

22. Amazon is known for exceptional customer service. What does excellent customer service mean to you?

What You Need to Know

Amazon believes excellent customer service goes beyond doing precisely as you're expected; it's more than having a smile on your face when the customer is looking. They view excellent customer service as actively seeking out opportunities to deliver more than the standard and thoroughly listening to your customers when they tell you what they need. As Jeff Bezos has said, 'Start with the customer and work backwards. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better. Obsessing over customer experience is the only long-term defensible competitive advantage.' Pay attention to the language of their culture and the keywords they use, and where possible, incorporate those keywords or statements you most identify with in your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"Customer service means exactly what those two words mean when you put them together. If you want someone to be a customer, that means they want to try out your brand or are loyal to it. Otherwise, they are not your customer. Service means tending to one's needs. To serve their needs. So when you put them together, you are saying that you want someone to be your customer, and their patronage is earned. To serve them is to tend to their needs and make sure all of those needs, both conscious and sub-conscience needs are both met."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Experienced Example

"I know that Amazon aims to improve every customer's day by delivering over and above their expectations. I appreciate that Amazon tweets back to every complaint, has a strong team committed to every social platform where customers might leave a comment and that you never have to wait long for a meaningful reply from a customer service agent. If I can change my customer's day for the better, I have done my job delivering exceptional customer service."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Experienced Example

"Kate Zabriskie, the author of Business Training Works, once said, 'The customers' perception is your reality.' To me, this means that if my clients think my team does not care about them, they likely do not. Excellent customer service starts with proper training and setting high standards for my team from the get-go."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Customer service is everything for any business. Being customer-obsessed, I think excellent customer service is that we provide the best deliverables to our customers beyond their expectations. Listen and analyze their feedback properly and try to make changes in our service to provide the best."

Rachelle's Feedback

These are all fantastic ways to deliver exceptional service! Here are some words from Amazon's Leadership Principles on Customer Service. You will want to consider adding in 'Amazonian' language into your responses: "Customer Obsession: Leaders start with the customer and work backward. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"It means putting customer requirements first, attending to all of the customer needs, and going the extra mile to make sure that the customer is satisfied."

Cindy's Feedback

Good! Can you show how you've put your understanding into practice?

Anonymous Answer

"I truly connect with the Customer Obsession leadership principle of Amazon. For me, paying attention to your customer's needs and focusing on how to help them is key to a business's success. In my role, a customer can be a candidate or a hiring manager, for example, and I always want to make sure they have a quick answer to their needs, besides asking questions to better understand how could I help them."

Amanda's Feedback

Good! Your answer demonstrates that you've done your research about the company's culture and values. Consider improving your response by telling the interviewer about the skills you use to consistently exceed customer expectations and go out of your way to help customers solve their problems such as active listening, critical thinking, and empathetic approach, or clear communication.

Anonymous Answer

"I know that Amazon keeps its customers on top of everything. I believe the same. In my opinion, the customer is always right, even when they may not be right. We always have to give the best service to the customer. If the customer complains about even a small thing, it means there is a problem in that supply chain and we are responsible for solving this problem. We should never conflict with the customer and always be constructive. We always have to show that we understand them and they can trust us because we are the people who will solve this problem for them and we have to make them trust us. The customers must be able to say this sentence, "there is a brand specialist who is called as HÃ¼lya at Amazon and she will definitely solve any kind of problem for us"!"

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific response! You clearly have experience and expertise working in customer service and equate service excellence with empathy, problem-solving, and constructive communication.

Anonymous Answer

"Excellent service is customer-centric rather than product-centric. It is about recognizing the customer as an individual and seeking business success via customer delight. When I go on Amazon to purchase an item, they frequently recommend other products that I hadn't thought of, and they are so good at it that I often buy more than I planned, and I'm happy to do so. I often joke that Amazon gets it right because they don't try to sell shampoo to a bald guy (me)."

Marcie's Feedback

That's a witty joke :) and true! Your observation about customer service being customer-centric instead of product-centric is right on, but be careful not to confuse savvy advertising with customer service. While seeing recommended products is helpful, you might want to talk instead about an instance when you experienced amazing service over the phone, email, or in person - when someone handled your inquiry or complaint with kindness and patience. Just something to think about!

Anonymous Answer

"Strong customer service in every aspect of the customer journey. From purchasing to delivery to use."

Marcie's Feedback

You're right that great customer service matters throughout the entire purchase journey. You might also discuss how customer service means being friendly, professional, informative, timely, and resourceful. Talk about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer to show the interviewer how much customer service means to you.

Anonymous Answer

"Exceptional customer service is built upon trust, commitment, and follow-through. My behavior as a trusted customer advisor heavily influences the customer's perception of our company as a whole. Looking for reassurance that our automation solution would work as advertised, the customer asked for a means of proof. Rather than relying upon the anecdotal 'it should work' approach, I set out to find a creative means to produce hard data because I knew the customer would need this to convince their upper management. I created a looping control script that repeatedly executed and reset our automation pipeline repeatedly so that over a 24-hour period the pipeline had been tested 24 times successfully. The customer was very happy with the results because it provided them with the hard evidence they needed and demonstrated that I would go the extra mile and put in the hard work to assure all stakeholders are happy with the project's results."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! Your response follows the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method perfectly, making it logical and easy to follow. Because of your example, the interviewer will be able to clearly see that you're capable of providing exceptional customer service and envision you doing so for their company too. Awesome response!

Customer Service

23. Have you ever had to contact Amazon customer support? If so, describe your experience.

What You Need to Know

If you are an Amazon Prime member and have talked to a customer service representative, then you have likely been thanked for being a loyal prime member. This simple appreciation for your brand loyalty can go a long way. So, whether you dealt with Amazon Logistics or one of Amazon's other customer service departments, describe your above-average customer experience, highlighting what stood out in your mind about the service you received. Keep your response positive, detailing your issue and how it was resolved, preferably ultimately exceeding your expectations. Share how this customer service model aligns with your philosophy, and detail how you are similarly customer obsessed.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"There have been several times when a package I ordered didn't arrive on time, for whatever reason. Life happens, and it isn't something I am upset about. But on those occasions, I reached out to Amazon Logistics, which has always taken care of me. Whether they refunded my account or took extra measures to get that package to me as quickly as possible, I have had nothing but gratitude for how I was treated and taken care of."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I have heard and experienced many incredible things about Amazon customer service. The wait time is usually short, and the agents are knowledgeable and energetic."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"Thankfully, my Amazon deliveries have always been early, and my expectations more than met. I like that you have various support methods, and I hear that the wait time is quite short."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, when I was sent the wrong product. Overall, the wait time was very short, and the agents were knowledgeable and energetic. I was offered a full refund and told to keep the product and was given two more free months of Prime. I was impressed, and one of the reasons I would love to work here is the lading principle of customer obsession."

Rachelle's Feedback

Excellent! Your experience was very positive, and your answer is full of enthusiasm and lots of detail :)

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Thankfully, I have all my deliveries on time, so I have never contacted Amazon Customer Support. I've heard that Amazon customer support is so quick, and the wait time is less. I want to know what kind of call center solution Amazon is using if you don't mind me asking?"

Rachelle's Feedback

Excellent question at the end! You show a great sense of curiosity, which an interviewer can translate as enthusiasm for the job and company.

"Thankfully, all my deliveries have arrived on time, so I have never had to contact Amazon Customer Support. I've heard that Amazon customer support is quick, and wait times are very low compared to other large organizations. I am interested to know what type of call center solution Amazon utilizes, if you don't mind me asking?"

Anonymous Answer

"Frankly, I have never had a problem with any of my orders so I did not have to contact Amazon customer support but my fiance had to, and as far as I remember he was quite satisfied with the support he got because I think he's only been shopping on Amazon for the last 5 years and he spends all his income on Amazon."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a good foundation that you can build on. I'd suggest focusing more on your long-term relationship as a customer and the fact that you haven't required customer support because the service you've received has been excellent. Consider revising your answer as follows.

"While I've been an Amazon customer for several years, I've never experienced any issues that required me to reach out to customer support. My orders have always arrived on time and without issue. However, my fiancÃ© has utilized customer support to resolve an order issue and was very satisfied with the experience."

Anonymous Answer

"Many years ago, I had to contact Amazon customer support because a book I had ordered had not arrived 3 months later. Their response was eye-opening. Instead of defaulting to denial or time-consuming bureaucracy, they simply offered to order a new copy for me for free! The new copy arrived just ten days later. It's experiences like this that have made me a loyal Amazon customer for more than 20 years."

Marcie's Feedback

Nowadays that replacement book would arrive in a day! :) It's great that you had such a positive customer service experience with Amazon. Plus, speaking highly of the company can't hurt either. Great answer!

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, chairs. excellent."

Marcie's Feedback

Build out your answer to make it memorable to the interviewer. How recently did you contact Amazon customer support? Why do you say the experience was excellent? What made it a good experience? This is a great opportunity to talk about aspects of the company that you like (which will naturally make a good impression on the interviewer).

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I contacted Amazon customer support when a package did not arrive as expected. I made contact via the webchat functionality available on the website. The representative was responsive and knowledgeable, apologizing for the situation and setting expectations on when I should receive the missing package. The use of the webchat feature was very convenient as it allowed me to maintain a record of the conversation to prevent any misunderstandings."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent. You have provided a great description of your interaction with the company's customer service - very detailed. The interviewer will appreciate this, as well as your positive comments about the experience. Good job!

Direct

24. One of Amazon's newest Leadership Principles is 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' How does this principle resonate with you?

What You Need to Know

One of the most recent additions to Amazon's Leadership Principles is, 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' This principle states, 'We started in a garage, but we're not there anymore. We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day. We must begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them.'

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

The interviewer is curious whether you identify with this principle and what it means to you. Several articles have been written about how Bezos introduced these two new principles just days before stepping down as Amazon's CEO. Read and study them. Be prepared to discuss how and why it resonates with you professionally since most of Amazon's interview questions are based on the company's Leadership Principles.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I read somewhere that Jeff Bezos is a huge Star Trek fan, which is a source of the inspiration for Blue Origin and Amazon. He is forward-looking and is participating in bringing about the kind of idealistic future Gene Roddenberry conceptualized. When I look at this leadership principle, I see it as that. If you are going to innovate and create something as big as Amazon, you need to make sure it has a positive impact in every regard, and that takes constant vigilance and responsibility."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"Amazon's Leadership Principles are the foundation on which the company makes its decisions, including hiring decisions. Knowing this, I have dedicated a lot of learning time to these principles, including one of the newest ones, 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' I interpret this principle to mean that Amazon had a humble beginning, but now Amazonians are expected to take big action and make a significant impact on the world. Although people are looking to Amazon to pave the way, every Amazonian should remain humble and consider the impact of their actions. This impact means considering the planet as a whole, including our community and future generations. I embody this principle by taking actions that I know will enrich the lives of others. I seek to give back to my community through my volunteer work and strive to make positive decisions that make myself and others proud. I look forward to joining such a thoughtful and mindful organization."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"This principle reminds me of the quote from Spiderman, "with great power comes great responsibility." I believe we should be givers, not takers, and that we should have the humility to practice servant leadership. For example, I purchase carbon offsets when I fly because my business trips shouldn't damage the world."

Marcie's Feedback

Bringing Spiderman into the conversation will probably make the interviewer smile, and they will likely be impressed by your desire to practice servant leadership. You might also talk about how such a large company wields a lot of power and makes a great impact and that you will carry this knowledge with you (and allow it to influence your decision-making) if you are hired. Nice job!

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Anonymous Answer

"The LP means that Amazon started small and is now huge, and has social and moral responsibilities at multiple levels globally, community and family. Amazonians are expected to take action that impacts the world for today and future generations. I seek to give back to my community through my volunteer work, and I strive to make positive decisions that make myself and others proud. I look forward to joining such a thoughtful and mindful organization"

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent response! It's detailed, explaining clearly what the leadership principle means to you, and also shows your enthusiasm for working for a company that embodies this principle. Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"Starting small and becoming large is no easy task, all while gaining respect. Amazon did it like no other. This resonates with me with my career as an EA because I started small too. I was a receptionist and told the CEO I wanted his EA's job when she gave notice. He gave me a chance and here I am 28 years later as a successful EA. I took that responsibility and ran with it. Anyone can achieve success if they want it."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! You have done a great job explaining what this principle means and how it resonates with you. The example you give is very effective in showing that it's okay to start small and strive to grow bigger. Consider also talking about how scaling/growing bigger brings more responsibility. What does this mean to you? What kinds of responsibilities does it bring? Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"Leaders are responsible for living by example. That responsibility increases exponentially with the leader's scope of influence. Leaders must wield power not as a right, but as a privilege. The responsibility to better serve the community and the customer base does not diminish with success but becomes all the more imperative as only through continued service to others can trust continue."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! It's clear from your response that you understand this leadership principle. To further strengthen your answer, consider mentioning a leader who embodies this principle and discuss how they have inspired you. Also, if you can tie in the company and how you think it lives out this principle, that will no doubt impress the interviewer too. Excellent job!

Direct

25. What does Amazon's Leadership Principle 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer' mean to you?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos, before retiring as CEO and transferring to the position of executive chairman, added two new Amazon Leadership Principles. The first is, 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer.' Bezos defines this principle: "Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what's next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees' personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

When competing to join a company's culture, it holds value to identify with that culture and demonstrate how you are compatible with it. There are many leadership principles, and how Amazon defines each is a lot to memorize. But it boils down to how badly you want the job and how far you are willing to go to earn it. These principles are the foundation of most Amazon interview questions, so understanding them will give you a leading edge.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"This is a great leadership principle, but it is just one part of who Amazon is, where they define themselves as striving to be 'Earth's most customer-centric company,' 'Earth's best employer,' and 'Earth's safest place to work.' So when you look at the combined humanity of these three statements, I think that is what this leadership principle is about. To treat their employees as human beings who they care about as much as they care about humanity and the planet itself. It means they treat the workforce with dignity and respect and create a platform for opportunity and success."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I have performed a lot of research on Amazon's Leadership Principles and was excited to see that Jeff Bezos added two new principles before retiring as CEO of Amazon. This principle that states, 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer,' is inspiring because it shows that Amazon strives to be an organization that puts its employees first, regardless of if their success comes from Amazon or by moving to a different organization. I appreciate that Amazon's leaders focus on their team members' growth and empowerment. This focus is critical, especially as we see employees demand a new approach to the workplace that many people are calling 'the future of work.'"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"As a leader, the most amazing thing you can do is align interests. Each leadership role has the challenge to empower employees as individuals, growing in mastery, with a purpose (not just money) that engages them. While I have taken these three principles from behavioral science research, they strongly align with what Amazon says about being the world's best employer."

Marcie's Feedback

If only every employer (boss) felt that way and acted on it! By discussing these behavioral science concepts, you give the impression that this is the way you choose to lead, which the interviewer will be happy to hear. You might also mention your desire to work for a company that abides by these concepts and strives to be a great employer.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"customer-obsessed

sustainability and the environment

employees to have a work-life balance"

Marcie's Feedback

You've touched on several things that great employers tend to be: customer-obsessed, kind to the environment, and supportive of employees having a healthy work/life balance. Nice! Do you look forward to working for this type of employer? Remind the interviewer that these same principles are important to you too.

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon aspiring to be the Earth's Best Employer tells me that Amazon appreciates and puts people and relationships first. In addition to being customer obsessed, being obsessed about the quality of your employees' everyday work experience says that Amazon can only succeed if we all succeed. That Amazon's success results from the success of not only its customers but its employees as well, and that builds loyalty, trust, and a strong feel-good factor."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! You've done a great job of explaining what this principle means and what it tells you about the company. Consider ending your response by talking about your desire and excitement to work for this company that strives to be the planet's best employer. Great job!

Direct

26. Who founded Amazon?

What You Need to Know

Before any job interview, it is vital to research the history of the company you are competing to work for. When answering straightforward questions such as this, it is worthwhile to go the extra mile and showcase your knowledge. This will demonstrate that you are taking this opportunity seriously and are invested in earning this position. Do your homework. Showcase your knowledge. Demonstrate that you are already immersed in the culture and advertise an exceptional work ethic.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Jeff Bezos founded Amazon out of his garage in Bellevue, Washington, in 1994."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"Jeffrey Preston Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 when he wanted to build a virtual bookstore. He was just 30 years old when he founded Amazon, and now he is the richest person in the world."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos back in the 1990s. I remember when it was purely a bookstore, and I became a customer back in the 1990s because it gave me access to books I couldn't otherwise purchase in Australia."

Marcie's Feedback

It's obvious you know the backstory on Amazon which the interviewer will appreciate. Have you followed Jeff Bezos' story since then? Perhaps conclude your answer with a tidbit about what he's up to now or talk briefly about when Amazon began to transition from a bookstore into what it is now. The more information you can provide, the more knowledgeable you will appear. Good job!

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Jeff Bezos"

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you know the answer to the question, but you'll want to avoid giving such short responses. What do you know about Bezos? Can you talk briefly about some things you've learned about him or admire about him? Build out your answer more to show you're engaged, thoughtful, and knowledgeable.

Anonymous Answer

"Jeff Bezos in 1994. He left working on Wall Street to take advantage of the booming Internet. He began selling books online, which led to everything online. Eventually, in 2005, he introduced Amazon Prime as a differentiator, and most importantly a company called AWS."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you've provided additional details about the founder and the company's story. The more details you can include, the better! This shows the interviewer that you are knowledgeable and interested in the company. Nice job!

Direct

27. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos views one's ability to admit when they are wrong as an indicator of emotional intelligence. He considers emotional intelligence the foundation of strong leadership and credits this to his success. It is said that he is even-keeled and aware of his limitation, surrounds himself with 'smarter people,' and considers one's self-awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses as integral to these principles.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

This question tests your emotional intelligence, your self-awareness, and how honest you are, not only with the interviewer but also yourself. If you are unhappy with your interview performance, for whatever reason, this question offers you an opportunity to reverse course and put your best foot forward. Be frank, address where you feel you fell short, and contrast that with what you have to offer.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I feel like I could have come in a little less nervous. I feel confident in my experience and abilities, and I'm normally not shy, but I feel a little shy in this interview, probably because of how badly I want the job. So, if I could change anything in this interview, it would be to show my personality and passion. Ironically, it is my passion that caused me to clam up."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I am not sure if I have been able to portray myself 100% accurately in this interview, although I am trying my best. If there is anything more I can clarify for you, I would be happy to do so."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I would rate my performance as an 8 out of 10. I am happy with how I answered most of the questions; however, I stumbled a bit when you asked me about my expertise with Java and Python. Could I further clarify that for you?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would say I am doing 8 out of 10. If I am missing anything I am happy to go back and revisit it.

Of course, I am nervous and will think of things I should have included after we hang up."

Marcie's Feedback

Giving yourself a rating of 8 out of 10 is a safe bet, and it's great that you're open to giving further information to the interviewer if they need it. If you believe you stumbled on any particular questions, consider asking if you can talk further about those topics so you can redeem yourself. Good job!

Direct

28. What question did you hope I wouldn't ask today?

What You Need to Know

This question is a stand-in for the common 'What is your greatest weakness' question, yet it is designed to catch you off guard and get you to think on your feet. Jeff Bezos is known for creating a confrontational culture at Amazon, where he constantly challenges his employees. He also takes pride in understanding his weaknesses and admittedly hires people to mitigate them. But the main point is that he is aware of his weaknesses and takes ownership of them. Take advantage of this opportunity to showcase how weakness can be a strength. It's okay to pause and formulate a thoughtful response rather than blurting something out or seeming too rehearsed. So be prepared yet sincere in your reply.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Whether this is the first time I have interviewed with Amazon. This is the fourth interview I have had in five years. When I didn't land the job, I asked my interviewer for advice on what I could do differently or what added experience I should obtain to be more successful next time. Each time I have applied those lessons and come back when I felt I was ready. The truth is, I'm determined. I have a job, but I don't want to work anywhere else. I want to work for Amazon."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I suppose I did not want you to dig into why I applied three years ago and rescinded my application. I feel embarrassed about it because I thought I was ready to leave my current organization and decided that, to be the superstar I want to be at Amazon, I needed a bit more time and experience. I know that in these past three years, I have learned everything I might need to know to shine here, and I can't wait to put those last three years of learning and growth into action."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

"I didn't want to discuss why it took five years to graduate college. I was working full-time while attending college and double majoring. Initially, I took the full course load and worked full-time. Eventually, I also switched my major, which added a semester. At that time, I hunkered down and increased the course load while working full-time. So, while it may have taken me longer, I learned a lot both in and outside the classroom, including time management and upping productivity. I know these are important skills that I will bring to any position, and I look forward to leveraging them here at Amazon."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I suppose I did not want you to ask me a question about how I applied my SQL skills in a work environment. I was working with SQL 3 years ago for my bachelor's degree, and right now, I'm taking some online courses to recap my knowledge and exercise. I didn't have the chance to express my coding skills during my work experience, but I'm keen on showing my knowledge in this position."

Rachelle's Feedback

Great response! The most important aspect of this question is that you show how you are taking action to improve any area you feel you fall short.

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Anonymous Answer

"Well, I didn't want you to ask me regarding my working knowledge of Python since I've just started to take training on that in my current role. I have enrolled myself in Python Campaigning, but I hadn't used this before, so I'm still in the learning phase."

Rachelle's Feedback

I like how transparent you are about your skill level with Python, and it's especially great that you show your proactive nature by enrolling yourself in additional learning. Well said!

Anonymous Answer

"I suppose I would not like to ask about my people management skills since I do not have proven experience in managing / leading people, although I have volunteered to coach and train newcomers in my team besides having received positive feedback on my coaching skills from the sourcing team. In parallel, I am always looking to improve my theoretical knowledge about people management - I'm currently reading "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman and I am enrolled in a Leadership training program to start in a couple of months through my current company."

Amanda's Feedback

Great answer! You've taken a potentially negative response (not having professional team management experience) and transitioned it into a positive by sharing a workplace example that shows your ability to help guide new team members. You've also related specific steps you're taking to gain leadership expertise through research and training.

Anonymous Answer

"I suppose I did not want you to dig into why I switched many companies in a short period of time. There is only one reason for this, and that I have a dynamic personality. As soon as I think that the company I work for does not add anything to me and does not improve me anymore, I leave there. Before I quit my job, I give it a try and ask for a budget for different projects and try to create a comfort zone for the employees, but when obstacles are put in front of me, I leave without thinking because my time is so precious."

Amanda's Feedback

I can see where you're trying to go here and I appreciate your candor; however, this question typically requires a bit more finesse. It's another way of asking about where you may have a weakness. It gives the interviewer more insight into your ability to think quickly to answer a tough question. You can use this question more to your advantage by illustrating how a weakness can be a strength or explaining something the interviewer hasn't asked about yet that would be a barrier to offering you the job. While you have shared a barrier to hiring you (shore work periods in multiple positions), it's even more important to talk about how you've improved that weakness or resolved the issue. You want to avoid sounding like you quit easily. Consider reframing your response to focus on how you enjoy a challenge, are constantly striving to grow, and are looking for a position with the potential for long-term growth potential.

Anonymous Answer

"I didn't want you to ask me about my weaknesses. That's one I always feel uncomfortable discussing because of the fine line between showing self-awareness versus being rejected as unsuitable for the role."

Marcie's Feedback

Completely understandable! Many people would agree :) But be sure to know how you would answer a question about your weaknesses since the interviewer may very well pose that question to you right after this one!

Anonymous Answer

"What is my greatest weakness... I don't say no. I am a team player and always want to help. I am forever curious, think outside, the box, and, want to help the customer in any way possible."

Marcie's Feedback

Lots of people probably hope to avoid the dreaded greatest weakness interview question. :) It's great that you have an answer prepared for it (and it's a weakness that can be seen in a positive light - perfect). Continue your answer by explaining why you didn't want to be asked this question. Because you don't like to talk about your weaknesses? Because you really want to present your best self to the interviewer and feel this works against that? Try to show your self-awareness and transparency.

Anonymous Answer

"I didn't want to be asked why I had remained in the position of Senior Consultant for 5 years in my previous employment. I'm modest, in regard to my technical abilities. Customers and colleagues tell me over and over how technical and appreciated I am, but when it comes time to rate myself on a scale of 1 to 5 on a spreadsheet, I tend to rate my abilities conservatively. As such, those who assign work based upon those numbers, pass over me because I do not rate myself as highly as the next. I learned a bit too late that reaching out directly to project management is the best way to assure that you get assigned a diversity of interesting work. To prevent creating a glass ceiling for yourself you need to proactively promote yourself."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you're so forthcoming and honest in your response. You take full advantage of being able to explain something on your resume that perhaps at first glance doesn't look impressive. Great answer!

Direct

29. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

What You Need to Know

Companies will have confidentiality agreements for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their trade secrets or to ensure that you do not bring clients over if you leave their company. Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on confidentiality agreements.

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

1st Entry Level Example

"I consider myself a man of my word and pride myself on my integrity. I have never broken a promise or an agreement, written or otherwise, nor would I at any point."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I never have, to my knowledge, broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a position, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer in any way."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"A confidentiality agreement has never bound me; however, I would never knowingly break an agreement."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"No, I have never done such a thing. Regardless of why I left a job, I would never think of breaking any agreement."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's evident that you place a lot of importance on confidentiality and integrity. Good, straightforward response!

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Anonymous Answer

"Nope, never have, never will."

Cindy's Feedback

Good. Straight forward and to the point. You might want to expand on the importance of these to innovators like Amazon.

Anonymous Answer

"Not that I am aware of."

Chad's Feedback

Good! This is a straightforward response to the question. Consider elaborating by discussing your thoughts on confidentiality agreements. Are you in favor of them? Have you ever been bound by a confidentiality agreement?

Anonymous Answer

"No. I value my job and honestly, this industry can't function without them."

Amanda's Feedback

Confirming that you value honesty and adhere to confidentiality agreements is the right way to answer this question; however, you can strengthen it further by demonstrating that you understand their value to your role or industry by explaining what they protect and how that benefits the company.

Anonymous Answer

"We can't do business without trust, and part of earning trust is keeping confidentiality agreements. I have never broken a confidentiality agreement."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice. The interviewer will be happy to hear that you recognize the importance of confidentiality agreements and have never broken one. Good reply!

Anonymous Answer

"No, I would never knowingly hurt any employer I work for. Currently or in the past."

Marcie's Feedback

Great. The interviewer will be happy to hear that you've never broken a confidentiality agreement before. Have you signed many in the past? If so, mention this. Also, consider explaining why you think a confidentiality agreement matters so the interviewer knows you understand and respect their importance. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"No. That would be foolish and shouting to the world that I am untrustworthy."

Marcie's Feedback

The interviewer will be relieved to hear that you've never broken a confidentiality agreement. Can you talk more about why you believe confidentiality agreements are important? Emphasize to the interviewer that you always strive to be trustworthy and ethical. Good job!

Direct

30. At Amazon, we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement if hired?

What You Need to Know

Part of Amazon's culture is a belief that trust must be earned, whether it's the trust of your teams or your customers. As Jeff Bezos said, "Going way back, we just sold books, and then we started selling music and DVDs and electronics and toys and so on, and then we extended into electronic reading with Kindle. The reason customers have been receptive in large part to our new initiatives is because we have worked hard to earn their trust with them. Earning trust with customers is a valuable business asset. And if you mistreat their data, they will know, they will figure it out. Customers are very smart. You should never underestimate customers."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Signing a non-disclosure agreement is standard in the software and technology industry and is required for all Amazon employees. If hired, you will likely become privy to trade secrets, pending patents, and other innovative projects that must remain confidential. Talk to the interviewer about your willingness to sign an agreement. If you are currently under a non-disclosure or non-compete agreement with your present employer, now is the time to discuss that.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I am happy to comply with any necessary measures, NDAs, Non-Competes, Background checks, or E-verify - whatever you need."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I have signed non-disclosure agreements in the past, although I am not currently under one. I see the importance of agreements like this and am most willing to comply."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I am happy to review and sign any privacy and confidentiality agreements you have."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I understand the significance of a non-disclosure agreement, especially in the software industry. Although I am not under any agreement at this moment, I did sign such documents earlier in my career. I am comfortable signing an agreement if it is required."

Rachelle's Feedback

Great! You are very willing, understanding, and sound highly cooperative :)

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Anonymous Answer

"Yes, definitely. I understand the importance of privacy and confidentiality in this industry where we work with valuable information."

Rachelle's Feedback

Enthusiastic response! It's great that you express an understanding of confidentiality in this industry.

Anonymous Answer

"I have signed non-disclosure agreements in the past and it was not a problem for me. On the contrary, I see it as a necessity for successful companies. I am happy to review and sign any privacy and confidentiality agreements that you have."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a solid response that illustrates your past experience with NDAs and level of comfort working under one.

Anonymous Answer

"This is standard practice nowadays. I will willingly sign a non-disclosure agreement."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will appreciate that you're open to signing a non-disclosure agreement if hired. You might mention that you understand that this is frequently necessary to protect trade secrets, customer information, product designs, and so on.

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, of course. I think they are significant."

Marcie's Feedback

Why do you think they are significant? Explain this to the interviewer. Have you signed any of them before in the past? If so, tell the interviewer about this too.

Anonymous Answer

"I understand these agreements are part of doing business. For example, at the moment, I'm under a confidentiality agreement with my previous employer until March 2022. I'll be happy to review and sign an agreement with Amazon as part of my employment."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Mentioning that you have signed NDAs in the past for other jobs helps show the interviewer that this won't be a problem for you. Nice job!

Discovery

31. In your opinion, what has been the biggest advancement in video streaming technology this past year?

What You Need to Know

According to Jeff Bezos, Amazon Prime Video's "streaming hours are up more than 70 percent year-over-year." Access to a vast library of streaming content is just one massive perk to being an Amazon Prime member. Display your active interest in streaming technology services by discussing your thoughts on recent advancements. Be sure to include how you stay up-to-date on industry changes and new advances and offerings in streaming.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"OTT is rising fast, and network television, though far behind the curve, is finally breaking free of satellite and cable packages and is more freely available through platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"This year has seen many great advancements in streaming technology. Recently, I read an article on what to watch for streaming this year. The topic of virtual reality and 360-degree video streaming stood out to me. The article discussed how experts believe immersive content is becoming more accessible and more of a focus now."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"A lot of people complained in the past about the latency on live broadcasts and other interactive broadcasts. When streaming, the viewer is often behind a few seconds, which may seem trivial, but it's a real issue for live shows that are audience interactive. In American Idol, for example, the viewers text in their votes. I know there has been a call for internet-delivered content to offer higher speeds. This year alone, we are already seeing latency improvements up to five seconds, which is incredible."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I believe 5g is a transformative technology that will enable higher-quality videos to be streamed to mobile devices without any jittering or latency."

Cindy's Feedback

Great. This is an area that you can speak to knowledgeably. You can always expand by discussing why 5g is bigger than other breakthroughs to show a breadth of knowledge.

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Anonymous Answer

"Maybe it's because I upgraded to a 4K device, or maybe it's an improved internet connection, but I've been really impressed by the improved video quality. Recently I was watching the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships live on Amazon Prime and it was crystal clear."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It's great that you include an anecdote and relate video streaming to your own life. Prior to the interview, consider reading up on some recent technological advancements in video streaming so you're fully prepared for a question like this. As you know, appearing knowledgeable is key. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I am not familiar with audio codecs used for mp4s. Not my forte."

Marcie's Feedback

Prior to the interview, brush up on recent advancements in the video streaming technology space so you can answer this question knowledgeably. You can be honest and tell the interviewer that your interests tend to lie in other areas, but you'll still want to be able to answer the question since it's clearly important to the interviewer (and hence, must be applicable to the role you're interviewing for). Do some quick research and you'll be fine answering this question!

Anonymous Answer

"I think the biggest advancement resulted from the Covid pandemic. Due to the pandemic video streaming technology because mainstream as workers began to work from home. Because of this increase in use, weaknesses in the implementation of the technology became apparent, namely the lack of security in Zoom meetings where the video stream was not secure end-to-end. With the greater dependency we've had on technology to collaborate and communicate, end users have become aware that security is a real issue. So I think the biggest advancement has been the end customer's increased awareness is the need for robust security, and this shift in consumer expectations will drive video streaming technology toward a safer, more secure future."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Your answer is logical and well thought out. It shows how knowledgeable you are in this area, as well as how in tune you are with current events and what's happening in the world. Any interviewer would be impressed. Good job!

Discovery

32. Do you do any volunteering in your spare time?

What You Need to Know

This is another opportunity to showcase your knowledge of Amazon and their offerings, such as AmazonSmile, which allows you to select your favorite charity to start generating donations at no cost to you. The AmazonSmile program donates 0.5% of every purchase you make on Amazon to a charity of your choice. All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. They donate at no extra cost, and you can choose from nearly one million public charities.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Tips

Also, be sure to showcase your knowledge of the philanthropic efforts of Amazon and its founders. For example, recently, Jeff Bezos gifted 100 million dollars to homeless shelter services. As they say in their leadership principles, Amazon believes that their leaders must "begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them." The company believes that local communities, the planet, and future generations need them to be better every day.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

If you have or are currently volunteering, describe what you do and why. If you have not had the opportunity to volunteer, be honest and give an example of an organization or cause you would like to volunteer with in the future.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I volunteer at Mary's Place, a homeless shelter that assists families. In 2020, when Jeff Bezos worked with Mary's Place to shelter 200 homeless people by housing them in one of their buildings in downtown Seattle on their Amazon Campus, this was a game changer for me. That's when I knew I wanted to work with Amazon, not just in a volunteering capacity, but professionally."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"I started volunteering with my mom at a young age and continue to do so in my spare time. My mom taught me to give back to the community by volunteering my time and energy. I currently volunteer twice a month at an assisted living facility, where I take my retired service dog to visit. She's a Golden Lab, and the residents love how sweet and gentle she is. I love seeing the smiles on everyone's faces, which makes my heart so happy."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"A couple of years back I was part of a one-day volunteering group where we prepared and distributed meals to people living on the streets of Brussels. My role was to help prepare these meals and - together with my group of 4 - distribute them to homeless people in a timely manner. Besides that, I follow some animal sheltering institutions on social media based in Brazil where I can follow up on what's happening and make donations."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a solid beginning! This question can help give the interviewer insight into how you'd fit with the team or with the company culture. You can make your response more impactful by sharing why you chose to volunteer in a particular way or why you're drawn to donating to specific charitable organizations.

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Anonymous Answer

"I do love volunteering and as you may see in my cv, I have worked on some projects as a volunteer. I believe volunteering is important because it enables individuals to help others in a selfless way and makes us humble. I worked on a volunteering project called ´Discover Slavonia and Baranja´ in Croatia. I worked there with a diverse group of people and we tried to attract tourists to some hidden and unpopular places in Croatia. It was one of the best times of my life because I met so many nice people from all over the world and they were all such humble and kind people who try to make the world a better place for all of us. I am also an environmental volunteer. I work with an organization called Haytap from Istanbul and we take care of street animals and try to prevent deforestation in Istanbul and the places nearby. Besides, I have always volunteered in projects on sustainability in the companies I worked for. I believe there are two important terms in our lives that will help us slow down global warming and they are sustainability and circular economy and that is why I think that it is important to take part in such projects."

Amanda's Feedback

You have enjoyed some wonderful volunteer experiences! Consider bringing it back to the workplace at the end and telling the interviewer more about the sustainability projects you worked on for your previous employers.

Anonymous Answer

"I do pro bono work for cancer researchers. It's something close to my heart because I lost both parents to cancer. For example, I helped cancer researchers calculate the results of experiments in epigenetic gene switching so that they would have objective probabilities to test their hypotheses. That research has actually been published in Bioinformatics."

Marcie's Feedback

Condolences for your losses - that must have been incredibly hard to go through. It's wonderful that you've channeled your loss into a way to help others. Any interviewer will be moved by the fact that you volunteer to help cancer researchers and also impressed that the research you've been involved in was published.

Anonymous Answer

"Pre-COVID I did a lot of volunteering in a soup kitchen and giving back at a local shelter. Now, most of my volunteer efforts have been transported to online efforts. I now volunteer my time to 2 boards of directors."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Why did you decide to volunteer for a soup kitchen and to help a local shelter? What was your motivation to do this and do you believe these actions helped people who have less than you do? Can you also provide more details about being on the boards (for which companies? were you invited? what kind of work have you done while on the boards?) It's fantastic that you have volunteer experience; just be sure to provide plenty of details to the interviewer about these experiences and the skills they require(d). Great job!

Discovery

33. Do you know anyone who works for Amazon?

What You Need to Know

Someone who has an internal referral has a higher likelihood of getting hired at Amazon. If you don't have a genuine referral already, there are tools you can use on platforms such as LinkedIn, which can help you determine someone you may know who already works for the company. Ideally, the person should work in a similar role to the one you are vying for and can vouch for your character.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer would like to see if a friend referred you to this position, a former co-worker, or an industry acquaintance. This question is another way for the interviewer to ask where you heard about the role and if you have any connections from within. You can keep your answer brief and to the point.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"Actually, yes. My uncle works in Amazon Web Services in an upper management position."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I do not personally know anyone who works for Amazon. However, I am connected with a couple of your employees on LinkedIn due to common group interests. I look forward to getting to know your team!"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"My former manager works for Amazon now; however, he is in a different department. His name is James Smith. He's a great guy! I would be happy to fill out any referral paperwork if you wish."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"yes, I know someone."

Kevin's Feedback

This response should be further developed to share who you know that currently works for Amazon, their role, and how this impacted your interest in the company.

"My sister-in-law is the HR rep for the Amazon Cloud division. She’s the one who turned me on to the position. She’s on a first name basis with Jeff Bezos and seems to understand him fairly well. Based on everything she’s said about the company over the years, it sounds like a great place to work. She even took me on a tour of the Amazon Spheres. Pretty amazing place."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Yes. I know a handful of people in the Seattle area as well as one person in the Bay Area"

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered the question clearly and honestly. If those individuals have had a positive experience with the company, you can also use this question as an opportunity to talk about how their experience helped inspire you to apply.

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I do. My former supervisor, colleague, and former director currently work there. From the ones I keep in contact with, they talk about what a great company it is and the amazing things they are working on."

Amanda's Feedback

Knowing others who work as part of an organization you'd like to join can help explain why or how you learned about a position and why you want to work for a particular company. Consider making this answer stronger by relating what your former coworkers enjoy about working at Amazon and how that or other aspects of the company's culture, work environment, or mission appeal to you as a potential employee.

Anonymous Answer

"My former manager from ______ works for Amazon Luxemburg now; however, she is in a different department. Her name is ________ . She's a great person! I would be happy to fill out any referral paperwork if you wish."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you know someone who works at their company. You come across as positive and open in your answer, which is great. Has _____ told you good things about working for Amazon? If so, tell the interviewer about this and reiterate how excited you are to hopefully work for the company in the future too. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"No, I do not know anyone currently who works at Amazon"

Amanda's Feedback

Hiring managers ask a question like this for a few different reasons. A company might have policies that prohibit family or friends from working together. This question also helps the interviewer anticipate any disruptions that might result from hiring an employee with social connections to the company. You've done well by providing a straightforward, honest answer to this question. However, if you did happen to know someone who worked for the company, you'd simply explain your relationship with that person and assure the interviewer that your association with that employee would not affect your ability to perform the duties of the role you're applying to.

Anonymous Answer

"My niece's boyfriend delivers for Amazon but other than that, no I do not."

Amanda's Feedback

Hiring managers ask a question like this for a few different reasons. A company might have policies that prohibit family or friends from working together. This question also helps the interviewer anticipate any disruptions that might result from hiring an employee with social connections to the company. You've done well by providing a straightforward, honest answer to this question. However, if you did happen to be closely related to someone who worked for the company, you'd simply explain your relationship with that person and assure the interviewer that your association with that employee would not affect your ability to perform the duties of the role you're applying to.

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I do. Actually, I was referred to this position by him. He is ___________, Sr. Program Manager at AWS - Financial Services. We shared our time working together a long time ago and kept a long life friendship."

Stephanie's Feedback

Amazon is a huge employer, so the fact that you have a personal point of contact is a great advantage. While you don't necessarily need to name-drop here, it may be helpful to be more specific. For example, "I was referred by my friend, who has _______-role in _______________-department. We started our time working together a long time ago and kept a long friendship.

Anonymous Answer

"One of my ex-colleagues, Mark _______, works for Amazon AWS. He recommended me for this role because he personally benefitted from the GTM work I did in Australia and believes I could add similar value at AWS."

Marcie's Feedback

Remember to be careful about not using too many acronyms or jargon. Keep your language simple and clear so you don't confuse the interviewer. It's great that someone you know recommended you for the role. Can you explain what kind of GTM work you did and how this will benefit the company?

Discovery

34. Amazon is a company of pioneers. How are you a pioneer?

What You Need to Know

Amazon frequently uses the word 'pioneer' when discussing their most dedicated employees. Jeff Bezos said in an interview, "Customers are always dissatisfied, even when they don't know it, even when they think they are happy, they actually do want a better way and they just don't know yet what that should be, and that's why I always warn people, customer obsession is not just listening to customers. Customer obsession is also inventing on their behalf, so you need to be an inventor and a pioneer."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

In your research on the company, take some time to read enough of their employee stories on their careers site and learn exactly what makes current employees a pioneer. Try to zero in on those similar qualities in yourself and show the interviewer how you embrace those qualities and are the right fit for the job.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"When something needs to be done, I am normally the first person to take charge, explore the possibilities, and find a way."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I plan to be a pioneer with Amazon by committing to a long-term career, taking advantage of professional development opportunities that come my way, and embracing the change that comes with working for one of the world's most innovative organizations."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I read some of the pioneer stories on Amazon and am prepared to participate as a pioneer by developing myself and those around me, embracing the ideas of others, coming up with great ideas of my own, and fully committing myself to a career path filled with growth and opportunity."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I'm not satisfied with good enough, and I always seek ways to improve my career and skills and am not afraid of innovation. For instance, when _____ first acquired _________, everybody in my team was not confident to deliver the first workshop and the first post, I took it upon myself to learn and deliver those and became the ________ subject matter expert in the region."

Cindy's Feedback

Great start. You're telling the interviewer a lot about your work ethic and your bold approach. Can you expand on your ability to innovate or "pioneer"? Have you spearheaded any new project or tried a new approach that had a good result? Can you draw on that to help the interviewer see how you're a cultural fit with the company?

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"In my career, I have constantly challenged myself to learn new technologies to move out of my comfort zones. For example, in 1998 I started my own business, in 2009 I moved to another country to try a new culture, and in 2015 I moved industries from financial services to a tech company. By trying new things I keep a bias for action, and I broaden my experience, helping me to understand customers and creatively solve problems."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! This is a strong answer that shows you're open and eager to try new things and challenge yourself which is exactly what a pioneer does. You should fit right into the Amazon culture!

Anonymous Answer

"I love FOAK - Purdue, IACMI, and NIAR - I like the solopreneurial, entrepreneurial mentality of creating things that didn't exist before."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent. The interviewer will be happy to hear this about you! To back up your claim, can you talk about a time when you created something that didn't exist before or a time when you acted like a pioneer? Prove to the interviewer that this is truly a mindset you ascribe to. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I am a pioneer in that I'm continuously exploring new ways to improve myself. I monitor my health using various health devices that provide insights through the collection of data points. I purchase courses on the Udemy website across a wide range of topics because I think having a wide range of interests broadens the mind. Essentially, I'm curious about everything. For example, whilst I was preparing for these interviews with AWS, I started to become overwhelmed by all the preparation work, but then I thought, Hey! this is an opportunity to improve myself, rather than focusing on the end result, how about focusing on developing the skills required to achieve the end result. So, I logged onto Udemy and I bought a couple of courses - one being on public speaking and how to present yourself like a pro. So, rather than being focused on trying to get to a finish line, I changed my focus on taking this opportunity to improve myself by delving into what makes a great public speaker - thus preparing myself to present to you today.

Opportunities are everywhere, we just need to be open to exploring them and be curious enough to get started."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent answer! You have managed to creatively connect your interview prepping to being a pioneer - wow! Any interviewer will like that. :) Great job!

Discovery

35. What one word would your previous supervisor used to describe you?

What You Need to Know

Before your interview, reflect on some of the words your previous supervisor used to describe you. Then, examine the keywords Amazon frequently uses to describe their ideal employees and work culture, such as passionate, smart, obsessed, innovative, and pioneering. Write down all the keywords they use and any that Jeff Bezos frequently uses, and examine how you are aligned with these descriptives and how you fit the bill and would complement their teams.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"My boss often uses the word 'madman' to describe me. He frequently says that because I work smart, hard, and fast. Normally he asks me to take something on, then the next time he sees me, he asks about my progress. I inform him that I'm done, and he calls me a madman. It's how he introduces me to everyone."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"One word my previous supervisor used to describe me is driven. In a performance review, my supervisor told me that I was one of the most driven employees he had ever worked with and offered me a promotion after six months. When I set my sights on a goal, nothing will stop me from achieving that goal."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My last manager described me as "fungible". He was complimenting my versatility. What he meant was that it didn't matter what task was given to me, I would figure out a way to make it mine and succeed."

Marcie's Feedback

An initial reaction to being described as fungible might be negative as it gives the connotation that you're interchangeable or replaceable. However, your additional explanation shows that it was intended as a compliment and highlights your ability to handle whatever comes your way. Your answer is out of the box and interesting which will likely fascinate the interviewer. Great job!

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Driven"

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome. And why would they describe you as driven? And how will being driven help you excel in this new role?

Discovery

36. What do you like to do in your free time?

What You Need to Know

Many might try to answer this question by framing themselves as dedicated and organized professionals who commit to projects and see them through even in their spare time. Although there is nothing wrong with this approach, greater research will reveal that Jeff Bezos views prioritizing and building unstructured time into one's schedule as a sign of emotional intelligence. "I like to putter in the morning. I get up early. I go to bed early. I like to read the newspaper. I like to have coffee. I like to have breakfast with my kids before they go to school. So my puttering time is very important to me. That's why I set my first meeting for ten o'clock."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Such interview questions allow your interviewer to learn more about you, your personality, and who the person behind the resume really is. Whatever you choose to volunteer about yourself, keep in mind that Amazon encourages their employees and leaders to have fun, both at work and away. Describe how you like to spend your free time and be strategic in what you want your answer to say about you.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I enjoy being lazy in my spare time. Usually, I sleep in, take things slow, and do whatever I feel like doing at the moment. I have a lot of hobbies, like snowboarding, trail running, and rock climbing, but ultimately, I just enjoy having the opportunity to be bored and do whatever I feel will cure my boredom at the time. I enjoy that unstructured time and the freedom it gives me to do whatever I want to do at the moment."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"In my free time, I like to do several activities. I like all outdoor activities. I enjoy mountain biking, kayaking, camping, and trail running. I recently took a class on acrylic painting and practiced painting wilderness scenes. I also volunteer every Saturday or Sunday at the local animal rescue shelter, where I take the animals for a walk or to play with them."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I love music: to listen, dance, play, and compose. There's something about great music that is both mathematical and human."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Is there a particular genre of music that you like? What instrument(s) do you play? Do you use music to de-stress and relax? Giving more details will build out your answer and make it more meaningful to the interviewer.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Lake life - anything outdoors

Family

hiking

beach"

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! What do you like about being outside? Does this relieve your stress and relax you? Is there any way you can connect these interests to the role?

Anonymous Answer

"In my free time, I like to play online video games with my friend of 20 years. I have a teenager's dream set up at home with all the flashing lights. I first got into the IT industry because I enjoyed playing video games such as Doom and tweaking my computer to get the best performance possible. Playing video games led to a career in IT support, then to IT operations, monitoring, automation, and consulting, and now here I am taking my first step into a technical sales role. All because I was a video game geek back when I was studying business at university.

When I'm not playing video games, I like to go for walks with my fiancee and dog in the Surrey Hills, taking in a pub lunch on the weekend."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Your response is strong because you've effectively connected what you like to do in your free time to the role. Awesome! Great answer.

Discovery

37. What is the last thing you purchased on Amazon?

What You Need to Know

This behavioral question is similar to asking what you do in your spare time or what your hobbies are. This question is all about how you answer it. Be calculated in what you want your answer to say about you. You also want to be able to volunteer your answer quickly, which suggests that you are a frequent and loyal customer of Amazon and already embrace the brand you hope to represent.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"The last thing I purchased was chalk for rock climbing. I go to the rock climbing gym at least once a week. The first thing I ever bought from Amazon was my Kindle. Not only do I have an Amazon Prime membership, but I also subscribe to Kindle Unlimited."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I just made an Amazon order last week, and it arrived yesterday! I ordered school supplies for my son. It was so easy to order everything on Amazon, and I loved skipping the back-to-school rush in stores."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"The last thing I purchased on Amazon was a book. I have been buying books from Amazon for many years now. This month, I purchased 'American Like Me' by America Ferrera. It's a collection of essays, and I look forward to diving into it! Have you read it?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I ordered skincare products for myself. I just made an order from Amazon yesterday, and it arrived this morning! It's an easy way to skip the long lines on multiple stores to buy my favorite products."

Rachelle's Feedback

Nice! You sound like a true Amazon fan, which the interviewer would love to see.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I was planning to move to Canada very recently, so I purchased a set of luggage from Amazon and some other stuff like vacuum bags for packing."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good start! Did you have a nice online shopping experience? This question is an excellent opportunity to discuss your user experience :)

Anonymous Answer

"Sunglasses for my boyfriend. It is always a pleasant experience to order and receive things on Amazon. I preferred to choose Amazon because of its fast delivery, return policy, and ease of ordering."

Rachelle's Feedback

Fun! Overall, how did it turn out? Why did you choose to order sunglasses from Amazon vs. another online retailer? Those types of details will help bring your answer to life even more.

Anonymous Answer

"I just purchased heated gloves for myself and received them yesterday since I plan on a Colorado vacation. It's so convenient to buy products from Amazon and have it in a day or two."

Rachelle's Feedback

Nice! Simpler questions like this might be asked as a conversation starter or warm-up. Your answer is descriptive and friendly.

Anonymous Answer

"I've been a prime member for over 15 years - I LOVE AMAZON! Most of my recent purchases have been dog toys - she loves the HearDoggy toys - and I love them because they squeak for dogs, but humans can't hear them, which makes working from home so much easier. If you reviewed my history, you'd see Kindle books, Alexa products, and Moleskine notebooks because I'm a detailed note-taker and love to keep the hardbound notes to refer to."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response! It is evident that you are an avid Amazon customer (wow--Prime for 15 years?!)

Anonymous Answer

"I had ordered baby supplies for my son, and I am always impressed with how fast things get delivered at my door - every single time I order with Amazon. I have a Prime account with Amazon."

Amanda's Feedback

Good answer! You've shared what you ordered and elaborated on why you enjoy using Amazon's service.

Anonymous Answer

"The last thing I purchased on Amazon is a book called "The Circular Economy: A User's Guide" from Walter Stahel. I would like to highlight that it was super easy to order on Amazon and the delivery time is very satisfying."

Amanda's Feedback

Good job! You've shared that you use Amazon, provided information about a specific product, and finished your answer by sharing what you enjoyed about the experience.

Anonymous Answer

"As part of my job interview preparation, I wanted to double-check that my go-to-market knowledge is up to date. So I purchased "Move: The 4 Question Go-To-Market Framework" on Kindle, and read it over the next couple of days. I had a copy of the book in less than 2 minutes and Kindle made it possible for me to start reading immediately!"

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Your answer shows that not only do you frequently use Amazon, but you're also making a good attempt to be ready for your interview. Two birds with one stone! :)

Diversity

38. Amazon believes in a diverse perspective. When have you worked with a diverse group of people?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos wrote, "Diversity at Amazon has always been, and always will be, committed to equal rights, tolerance, and diversity. And we firmly reject and have zero tolerance for, harassment of any kind. We're a company of builders whose diverse backgrounds, ideas, and points of view are critical to helping us invent on behalf of all our customers. But it's not only that diversity and inclusion are good for our business. It's more fundamental than that, it's simply right. These are enduring values for us, and nothing will change that."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Amazon's statement about diversity and inclusion is spelled out on their website, and these are values they have embraced since early on. Amazon has been named one of the best places to work on Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index and LinkedIn's Top Companies; recognized on the NAACP Equity, Inclusion, and Empowerment Index and the Disability Equality Index; and received the 2019 American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Achievement Award, among others. Discuss your experience and display your cultural competence working in a diverse work environment.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I grew up in a diverse neighborhood and attended a diverse school. I would say everything about my upbringing was culturally diverse, though it feels weird to me to describe it that way. I feel most comfortable and at home the more diverse my surroundings are."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time at university. I am most comfortable and happy in this environment because it offers a great learning opportunity."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I have worked in a diverse environment my entire marketing career. A successful company should embrace diversity of all kinds. It's what spurs creative and innovative ideas!"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time at Baylor University. I moved from India, which is one of the most diverse cultures in the world. During my time at MBA, I met people from Brazil, Morocco, and Africa. I learned how people can think from different perspectives and how business implications could differ from culture and politics. I am most comfortable and happy in this type of environment because it offers a great learning opportunity."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a great start! If possible, give a direct story related to diversity to keep your interviewer engaged. For instance, "While living in India, my school classrooms represented 13 cultures and four languages...what I learned from the experience was..."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I have worked with diverse groups of people for mostly my entire career. From my last role as a catering business owner, I have experience engaging with people of different cultural backgrounds. From time to time, schools planned events where we were given an assigned station to assist parents with their inquiries about our lunch services. I enjoy this environment because it offers me great learning opportunities to assist others with their needs. With this experience, I gained skills and knowledge on being a good listener, handling various situations, and resolving issues within a company."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; this shows that you have experienced working with diverse individuals and have strong interpersonal skills. To strengthen your response, you may wish to explicitly state how meeting with parents connects to engaging with people of different cultural backgrounds.

Anonymous Answer

"I have been working in quite diverse environments since 2014. In my current job, we have an environment with 80 different nationalities and I get to work with many of them on every project."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a great start! You can strengthen your answer further by explaining how your role requires you to interact with diverse groups or teams. You can also relate what you've learned, how you've grown, or the benefits you've gained from working in a diverse environment.

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I believe that the differences in our cultures and societies make us interesting and open to discovery. I love working with a diverse group of people and I have been working with people from all over the world since I started my career. I worked with Spanish, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Norwegian, Swedish, and many more. All these people had a unique style of working so I have learned a lot from them. It helped me to broaden my worldview and enriched my knowledge of the personalities of people from different countries. Thanks to this, I will not have any difficulties working with a diverse group of people if I start working at Amazon."

Amanda's Feedback

Your answer illustrates that you've worked with people from many different countries. You can strengthen it further by sharing what role(s) allowed you to work with individuals from around the world and how many years of experience you have working in diverse environments. It would also be helpful to share more specifically what you've learned by working with diverse groups, such as additional language skills, the importance of cultural sensitivity, how to communicate clearly, etc.

Anonymous Answer

"When I moved to Singapore. It was my first time living and working outside of Australia. In that employer, I was surrounded by a diverse group of people from dozens of different companies, with diverse career backgrounds, from lawyers to airline pilots. This showed me how narrow my life experience had been. I quickly needed to learn how to communicate with people who have English as a second language, or whose English usage style differed from mine. And more importantly, it taught me how to connect with, learn from, and cooperate with people whose life experiences and cultural values were quite different from mine. As someone who was tasked with organizational change, I developed a reputation for preferring actions over inaction, and so my colleagues helpfully taught me how to say "hurry up" in several different languages."

Marcie's Feedback

It definitely sounds like you value diversity, which is great. You also appear to have lots of experience working in diverse atmospheres which the interviewer will appreciate. Finally, the little touch of humor ('hurry up') goes a long way. Good answer!

Anonymous Answer

"_____ is all about diversity and inclusiveness and I myself embrace the culture even when I hire. We are a multinational global company working with all countries."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you've worked with a diverse group of people before and that you try to hire people of all different cultures, ages, gender, disabilities, academic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and so on. Consider talking more about the benefits that come from diversity (for example, being given the opportunity to learn from various perspectives). Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"What I love about being a customer-facing consultant are the different people and personalities you get to meet as you move from project to project. I have worked with clients throughout Europe and the Middle East, as well as colleagues.

For example, for one customer project, the customer's corporate headquarters was in Switzerland, the account team was Swiss; the customer's technical staff was Spanish; I'm American/British; the project manager was Indian, and my line manager was Italian. Despite all these cultural differences, we came together to deliver a successful project. I truly loved working with the Spanish who were very warm and friendly whilst also maintaining the high standards set by HQ in Switzerland. It was a joy working on a project that involves people from different cultures coming together."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! Your answer makes it clear that you appreciate working with people from different cultures and nationalities. Excellent use of an example. Nice job!

Education

39. Can you talk to me about your GPA during undergraduate/graduate school?

What You Need to Know

A significant and defining part of Jeff Bezos' pre-Amazon journey is that he graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University in 1986. Although no formal degree is required company-wide to be considered for employment, many leadership and corporate positions require a bachelor's degree. 51% of their employees are entry-level, 29% are in senior positions, and 14% are managers. When it comes to the level of education of Amazon's employees, 50% have bachelor's degrees, 26% have master's degrees, and 17% of them hold a degree in business administration.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Whatever your level of education, make sure you meet the requirements of the description of the role. Share details that provide deeper context to what you gained from your collegiate experience and any of the more significant successes as a post-secondary student, and what those experiences and what you learn will lend to your experience and have prepared you for this role.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I graduated summa cum laude and had a 4.0 GPA."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I graduated at the top of my class and am very proud of my accomplishments during University. The experience taught me to study hard and set goals for myself."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I had a 3.8 GPA but did strive for a 4.0. I understand where I fell short, but I also achieved a spot on the football team and earned two scholarships."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Sure, I had a 7.3 GPA out of 10 in my undergraduate and had a 3.7 GPA out of 4 in my Master's. I'm sure I could've done better in my undergraduate if I've focused more, but anyways I think I did good in my Master's and learned so many things."

Rachelle's Feedback

This answer is a good start! You mention doing better and focusing more during your undergrad. I suggest including a positive statement around this time. Otherwise, you could signal your interviewer to view that time as underachieving. You should be very proud of your accomplishment during your Master's! It would be beneficial to discuss the action steps you took to achieve this high grade and speak in detail of the greatest lessons you learned.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"My overall GPA is 4.0, while I was working full time while attending classes. All in all, I did learn a lot about discipline and commitment."

Rachelle's Feedback

Awesome! You sound confident and capable. It's terrific that you added in what you learned. Now, try adding in what you will do to apply this discipline and commitment should you be hired by Amazon.

Anonymous Answer

"I had a 7.46 out of 10 for my bachelor's degree. Although I did strive for a higher grade, I'm satisfied overall because the cause was very demanding, and this grade is far more than the average. I also learned practical experience due to my internship. For my master's, I'm also expecting an excellent grade. I learned a lot of new things and pushed myself to put more effort into each coursework."

Rachelle's Feedback

Great! You did a very good job defending your grade and sound very confident. If you have information on what the average was, it would be great to include that information. I have provided a slight revision below.

"I had a 7.46 out of 10 for my bachelor's degree. Although I did strive for a higher grade, I'm satisfied overall because the cause was very demanding, and this grade is far more than the 6.57 average. I also learned practical experience during my internship at Company ABC. For my Masters', I'm also expecting an excellent grade. I learned a lot of new skills and pushed myself to put more effort into each coursework."

Anonymous Answer

"Although I was targeted to be the best in class, I was second with a GPA of 8.5 out of 10.0. Nevertheless, this GPA gave me the opportunity to win a scholarship to advance my studies internationally, in Belgium."

Amanda's Feedback

Terrific! You've taken the opportunity to share that you were highly ranked in your class and what the positive outcome of your academic efforts was.

Anonymous Answer

"I graduated as a Textile Engineer from Istanbul Technical University with an average of 2.9 points out of 4 and that was a really high average in the textile engineering department. Because fifty percent of our courses were shared with the mechanical engineering faculty and it was really very difficult. If I'm not mistaken, the highest average in my department so far was around 3.20 points."

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered this question directly and provided context that helps the interviewer grasp how you compared with your peers. You can enhance your response further by sharing which areas or subjects you excelled in.

Anonymous Answer

"I set myself high standards - a distinction wasn't enough to satisfy me. So when I did my master's degree, I averaged a high distinction, with a GPA of 4.0, and I won the Chancellor's award for academic excellence."

Marcie's Feedback

Whoa! Quite impressive :) Any interviewer would view this highly because it shows how hard you work and how smart you are. Awesome! If you want to build your answer out more, you could go into some of the details about how challenging it was to achieve these commendations and successes.

Anonymous Answer

"I was last in university 30 years ago. Whilst I was known for being intelligent, I was not an A student. Beyond the GPA, it was the connections that I made at university that influenced the rest of my life. As part of the MBA program, I studied with a lot of students from around the world which made me wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else. Eventually, that opportunity arrived when I was working for a multinational tech company. The position became available near London, England. I applied for the role and got it. I moved to the United Kingdom 24 years ago from America."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! This is a fascinating background story. Consider, however, eliminating the sentence about last being in school 30 years ago (it's not really relevant and shouldn't matter to the interviewer). Otherwise, excellent job! It's awesome that the people you met at university inspired you to travel and work overseas.

40. How do you find harmony between your professional life and your personal life?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos has stated that he doesn't prefer the phrase "work-life balance." Instead, he argues that work and life are a circle and uses the phrase "work-life harmony" to communicate this concept, suggesting it is not a balance. "I get asked about work-life balance all the time. And my view is, that's a debilitating phrase because it implies there's a strict trade-off. And the reality is, if I am happy at home, I come into the office with tremendous energy. And if I am happy at work, I come home with tremendous energy. It actually is a circle; it's not a balance. And I think that is worth everybody paying attention to it. You never want to be that guy who, as soon as they come into a meeting, they drain all the energy out of the room. You want to come into the office and give everyone a kick in their step."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Describe to your interviewer what you do to foster harmony between your professional and personal life. Often, a person's time management and communication skills can build a strong foundation at home and work. An emotionally intelligent and grounded perspective and a great attitude can contribute to this harmony. Share your approach to striking harmony in that circle.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I enjoy what I do for a living, as well as my personal time. I would say that I am a very happy and content person in general and that one feeds into the other."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I am very organized and forward-thinking. I look at life as playing a game of chess with yourself. When you look at how you are playing the game of life, you always have to be thinking about three moves ahead. So I make sure everything I need for the morning or the week is all laid out. I plan out my morning routine and meals for the week and ensure my responsibilities at work or home are all set up and ready to go when it is time. I believe there is no room for preventable stress in my life, so I prevent it wherever possible. So in this regard, I see myself as a successful person, and being successful makes me happy."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experience

41. What would you consider your technical specialty?

What You Need to Know

Examine your strengths and unique abilities, and be ready to highlight any areas you consider your specialty. Advertise your strengths and any specific skills listed on the company's job posting/job description in which you feel you excel. If there is a related area of interest where you'd like to expand your skills or where you would like to grow within the company, mention those as well. Most importantly, find how you already embrace Amazon's unique brand of innovation. As Jeff Bezos says, 'Many of the problems we face have no textbook solution, and so we happily invent new ones.'

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I'd say my technical specialty is how versed I am in all programming languages. I would consider myself an expert in my field."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Experienced Example

"Algorithms, data structures, object-oriented design, and databases have always been solid areas for me. I am interested in how innovation within software engineering improves our daily lives and overall business efficiency. I see you are looking for team members who are experts in these areas, which caught my eye when I first saw your job posting."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Experienced Example

"I have been focusing my career on becoming a cloud integration specialist, although I also have cross-platform app development expertise."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have worked in diverse environments and multi-industry in various roles. I recently graduated with an MBA, where I learned a great deal about managing teams. Maintaining a safe work environment in compliance with OSHA, quality control and leadership, and efficient team player are some of my solid areas. I see that you are looking for team members who are experts in these areas, which caught my eye when I first saw your job posting."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a good answer, overall! It's great that you referred to the Amazon job posting, which is an essential component of answering interview questions with impact. If possible, add in some work accomplishments as they relate to each point. It's also essential to show AND tell :)

"My specialties include maintaining a safe work environment complying with OSHA, quality control, and efficient team leadership. When it comes to OSHA compliance, I...(discuss a related work achievement). In the area of quality control, I have...(discuss a work-related result). I have led in diverse, multi-industry environments, which will allow me to (address specifically how this will help Amazon). Also, I recently graduated with an MBA, where I learned a great deal about managing teams in...(specifically?). I see that you are looking for a (job title) who brings expertise in these areas, which I can confidently deliver."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I have a good understanding of object-oriented principles, databases, and the principles of writing clean and efficient code using patterns and best coding practices. These skills help a lot when managing and leading a technical team. These skills also help solve problems in day-to-day work."

Rachelle's Feedback

Very good! I like that you address your technical specialties with confidence, and you also connect the dots between these skills and how they will benefit Amazon, should they hire you.

Anonymous Answer

"My areas of expertise are debugging, troubleshooting, implementing ad format solutions using HTML, CSS, and javaScript. I also taught myself Photoshop and Adobe Media Encoder to help with some touch-up work. I always learn something related to web technologies to work with the team to find a new creative way to improve clients' experience and team. I see that this role is looking for someone who can provide solutions and collaborate with internal and external teams using the technical skills I have."

Rachelle's Feedback

It sounds as though you are well-rounded and continually gaining new skills. Good for you! *Your edits are well done - it just adds a touch of 'qualifying' at the end, which is important.

Anonymous Answer

"I would consider my technical specialties to lie in Excel, SQL, and Tableau. As a Business Analyst, these three skills can help to improve performance. I see that you are looking for a Business Analyst who has expertise in these areas, which caught my eye when I saw your job posting."

Rachelle's Feedback

Your answer is very clear, and you carve out some important skills. When you mention that these skills can help improve performance, I recommend providing more actionable detail. I have provided a starter for you below.

"I consider my technical specialties to be in Excel, SQL, and Tableau. As a Business Analyst, these three skills can improve business performance (in which specific ways). I see that Amazon is looking for a Business Analyst with expertise in these areas, which is what caught my eye when I first saw your job posting."

Anonymous Answer

"I think my "specialty" is about not being a specialist. I generate the most value when I'm combining disparate knowledge about business, people, and technology. For example, I improved a bank's marketing campaigns by inventing a way to combine behavioral economics with machine learning prediction explainability techniques. Sales increased by more than 10%."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome. It's great that you can take information from various sources and combine it into something meaningful. Can you talk in more detail about how exactly you combined behavioral economics with machine learning in this instance? What program(s) did you use? How did you come up with the idea to do this? How did it affect the marketing campaigns? Mentioning the sales increase is impactful and an interviewer will likely remember that. Excellent job!

Anonymous Answer

"I have a unique skill set. I have worked in technical presales, industry process consulting, business development, and product sales, as well as, managerial roles for Technical Executives, Lightweight Engineering, and now Industrial Marketing. When Jessica approached me about the role I knew I would be a great fit for A&D based on my diverse skillset."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! The interviewer will undoubtedly be impressed by your diverse skillset and background. Don't forget to directly respond to the question, though. What would you say is your technical specialty if you had to choose just one? And then make sure to explain why you're an expert in that area and how your expertise will help Amazon if they hire you. Excellent job!

Anonymous Answer

"My technical specialty is the ability to focus, dive deep, and find solutions even if the solution lies outside of my immediate area of responsibility. I do this by not being afraid to look ignorant and by asking questions and following up with subject matter experts throughout the organization. For example, a colleague's customer was disappointed by a lack of Syslog auditing of admin login/logout events. I was not currently engaged so I assisted my colleague by taking on the issue and socializing it on Slack to see if any other consultants encountered the issue. Yes, they did. And one of them devised a workaround which unfortunately was not persistent due to various issues. I took his work-around to engineering and technical support raising awareness that the Syslog configuration settings conflicted between our two management plane products. Likewise, I highlighted that other high-profile customers were asking for a fix to this functionality. Due to my persistence, engineering raised a JIRA ticket to resolve the issue in the next version of the Prism Central console. In the meantime, Nutanix Support wrote an internal technical support article detailing the work-around so that consultants facing the same question in the future would have a solution to offer whilst a long-term solution was sought after. So, in summary, my technical specialty is applying my technical aptitude to champion customer issues and drive them until they are addressed by the appropriate people."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! You have done an excellent job of explaining this strength of yours. Your example is thorough and detailed, which is great. Just be sure that the technical specialty you describe is actually a technical specialty (i.e., practical knowledge about a mechanical, scientific, or technological subject) and not a soft skill (problem-solving).

Experience

42. Tell me about the most interesting project you worked on this year and the biggest lesson you learned from it.

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos described Amazon's work culture as the best place to fail. He expects his pioneers to take risks, and he vows to back them on it, even sometimes when he disagrees. As he puts it, "After you've discussed an idea, you have to make a decision and move forward, and the whole team needs to commit to that. When I really feel strong about something, and the team disagrees with me, I have a phrase that I like to use which is helpful, which is, 'I want you to gamble with me on this.'"

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Discuss with the interviewer one of your recent projects which felt of particular significance. Explain why this project was so impactful and describe the result of your efforts. What did you learn from the experience, and what was your biggest takeaway from that particular project in how it impacted you personally and professionally?

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I find the majority of the projects that I have been working on this past year to be very interesting. If I had to choose one, I would choose to work on the Uber app. Since I am still in my internship, I didn't have any major contributions; however, I learned a lot about on-demand apps and building a friendly user interface."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Entry Level Example

"In college, I worked on a project for a major company whose algorithm was a spaghetti algorithm that needed extensive service and repair. Of course, they weren't willing to replace their app due to the size and scope of their company. So they recruited talent from Penn and found me, and I formed a team of five. It was a lot of fun digging into their app and repairing and untangling it. I learned a lot, but most importantly, I learned the right way and the wrong way to build an app that has the potential of getting big."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Experienced Example

"In my previous role, we worked on multiple projects with fingerprint recognition software. One of the most interesting projects was a fingerprint-based ATM system. It was a test project for a large banking institution. In addition to learning a great deal about fingerprint recognition, I also learned a lot about the critical relationship between software and security."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"One of the most exciting group projects I had was on ML. I had to work on two large datasets, do an explanatory analysis, and perform Supervised and Unsupervised learning methods to derive exciting results. This project was exciting because we didn't have any guidelines, only the datasets. The biggest thing I learned from it is to be curious; then, you can dive deeper into the problem or challenge and discover new things that you have never imagined. You don't have to get instructions to do a task. You have to jump into it."

Rachelle's Feedback

Curiosity is an essential quality that rarely gets enough attention in an interview. I love that you brought it up. Good response, overall.

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"The most interesting project I've worked on this year was implanting the call center solution to cut down the cost in this COVID-19 crisis. My task was to find a cloud-based call center solution. Our management team didn't provide the exact budget for that. I had to be frugal since we needed to cut down the cost. I've done a demo with different companies, and I was curious about all the processes and technology. The biggest thing I learned from it is we can maintain our quality with enough effort even in a frugal situation."

Rachelle's Feedback

This project sounds like a considerable challenge! Do you have any measurable results that you could share with the interviewer? For instance, were you able to cut down costs by X amount of $? If so, how long did this take you, and how challenging was it to implement changes? I like that you mention 'frugal' since this is another of Amazon's 14 Leadership Principles: "Frugality: Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense."

Anonymous Answer

"Earlier this year, I have worked on building a one-pager on Diversity & Inclusion topic designed for hiring managers in my current company. My task was to gather concise but meaningful information about unconscious bias on recruitment processes and job descriptions in a one-pager. This one-pager has been presented to senior management at my current company (and approved) and is now being used by hiring managers across the organization as a matter of improving Diversity & Inclusion through recruitment."

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered the first half of this question well! You can take it a step further by sharing what you learned by completing this project. This could include specific information about diversity and inclusion or skills you developed while working on the project.

Anonymous Answer

"I can't really discuss my more recent projects from work due to confidentiality reasons. But at home, over the Covid-19 down times, we built a chicken coop in our back yard."

Amanda's Feedback

While you may be unable to discuss recent projects due to confidentiality concerns, you can still use this question to your advantage by focusing on a relevant work project that may be a little older rather than a more unrelated home project. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you create a concise but thorough answer. Make sure your response demonstrates your ability to set project priorities, make decisions, hit deadlines, and delegate tasks (if you've been in a leadership role). End your answer by explaining something you learned from it that has helped you work better going forward.

Anonymous Answer

"This year a group of colleagues approached me and asked me to lead a team for a hackathon run by the Singapore regulator. The reason they came to me was that they recognized me as a thought leader in the hackathon topic of "fairness". It was a diverse team of data scientists ranging from recent graduates to highly experienced team leaders. What I quickly realized was that just because I had a great idea in my head, it didn't mean that others would buy into complex abstract concepts. I had to "invent and simplify", and quickly prototype some of my ideas to show them what I was thinking. They needed to see something tangible that was a stepping stone from what they already understood. Once they started seeing my prototypes their engagement levels stepped up, and they were providing helpful feedback and generating ideas."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow. First, this is definitely an interesting project to cite. (Why did these colleagues want to join a hackathon run by someone in Singapore in the first place?) Mentioning that you're recognized as a thought leader is great too. Second, it sounds like you quickly learned a valuable lesson and were able to adapt on the spot. This is an excellent response.

Anonymous Answer

"I have worked on a ton of interesting projects. One recent project was a learning curve for me where I still get to learn and be curious. I started a customer-based marketing program combining sales, technical sales, business developers, marketing, industry marketing, and business planners together to create a strategic plan driving multimillion-dollar sales deals based on tipping points and customer needs."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! That sounds impressive. Can you give more specifics about the strategic plan you and the others created and exactly how it drove sales? The more details you can give, the more memorable your answer will be to the interviewer. And don't forget to answer the second part of the question by discussing what your biggest takeaway was from the project. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"I worked on a project where I deployed clusters to customer sites throughout the world. The deployments occurred across continents, cultures, and time zones under a tight time schedule in which we were deploying a cluster a week. Due to the tight timeline, we needed to keep coordinated and document any exceptions occurring during the process. I created an Excel spreadsheet that cross-tabulated the individual configuration items against each cluster installation so that the customer had an easy way to track and revisit outstanding issues encountered as the project rolled out. Although we became more efficient with each cluster deployment, there was always one issue or another to be dealt with. Despite the complications, because we remained organized and transparent, we had the full confidence of the client and we finished the deployments on schedule. The client technical contact nicknamed us the deployment dream team. I learned that communication is vital to the successful completion of a project because no matter how prepared you might think you are, things will go wrong and you need to be ready to capture those data points and then learn from them appropriately. This is what we did, and the deployments were a big success."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome! This definitely sounds like an interesting project and one that went extremely well. Also, the lesson you carried away from it about the importance of communication is one that the interviewer will appreciate. Great job and way to be very thorough and detailed in your answer!

Leadership

43. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a leader.

What You Need to Know

This question addresses whether you embrace one of their leadership principles, "Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit," which states, "Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly." The key words here are "respectfully challenge." Convey your emotional intelligence, and describe how you approached respectfully disagreeing with your leaders. Make sure the example you choose ended amicably, where you respected the chain of command, and discuss what you learned from the experience.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I recently volunteered for a project, but my supervisor gave the project to someone with less experience. I then asked to talk to them privately and debated that I should be given this project rather than Clifton. I suggested that Clifton had little experience, would take three times as long to get it done, and needed hand-holding along the way, spreading our staff even thinner. They retorted that, at one point, I had little experience but accrued that experience by being allowed to learn. They then said if I wanted to help and be a resource for Clifton to lean on, they would accept me as a volunteer. Humbled at that moment, I agreed, and Clifton and I became fast friends."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"Recently, a new directive came down from the top, and my department manager decided we needed to coordinate our staff to get the work done, but didn't want to tell them why. I disagreed and felt that explaining why it was just as important as explaining how they needed to perform the work to be done. So I argued this point. But my boss explained that without having management experience, there was no common point of reference for a solid understanding of the stakes involved. They explained that without that leadership experience, many of the staff would fill in the blanks with misinformation, sow dissent, and respond with fear that their jobs were in jeopardy, despite that not being the case. I hadn't considered this and asked for several case examples. They shared several where this had happened in the past, and I learned something new and followed their directive."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Leadership

44. At Amazon, we seek to hire leaders. Tell me about a time you took the initiative to improve work-related procedures.

What You Need to Know

One of their leadership principles is "Invent and Simplify - Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by "not invented here." As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time." Another of Amazon's Leadership Principles is to 'Insist on the Highest Standards.' Amazon believes leaders continually raise the bar, driving their teams to deliver high-quality services, products, and processes.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

Determining how to properly suggest changes requires leadership, creative thinking, and emotional intelligence. Before suggesting change, it is important to understand why things are done the way they are and establish what has been attempted previously. If you have ever taken the opportunity to present your employer with potential change or suggest improvements, describe your experience. Talk to the hiring manager about when you showed such initiative, how you went about it, and how it improved work-related procedures.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I closely examined why our staff kept taking particular shortcuts and roundabout ways of doing their jobs, which frequently resulted in greater discrepancies. I then realized that the training materials were dated and incomplete. So I decided to revamp the methods by which people navigated how to follow the proper procedures, which were faster and easier than the shortcuts they'd implemented. I also created a weekly bulletin informing our staff of these improvements. This increased productivity and reduced the amount of rework substantially."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I was able to present and implement one specific change in the office this past year. It was a recycling program that I felt was very important, even for our small office. We had significantly less waste after my initiative was implemented, and I enjoyed seeing others take pride in helping our environment."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"I recently made suggestions to my manager about the team messaging application we were using. I found a team-based app that offered a lower monthly cost with added features. He took the suggestion, and it has worked well for our team! The company was happy with the cost savings as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In my previous position, I was responsible for writing social media analytics reports. The company didn't have a tool to gather data from the posts (Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin) and did the work manually. The analysis took too long and the data validation even longer since I had to check manually that I didn't have any missing data. I decided to do extensive research to find a free online tool that I could use to help me with this task. My coworkers didn't even know that these tools were available, and I managed to find one. It was challenging to use, but in the end, I became an expert and taught my colleagues how to use it too."

Rachelle's Feedback

You set this answer up very well! It's great that you looked for a tool that would be helpful and at no financial cost to the company. Fantastic answer!

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I was reading the book "When" by Daniel Pink. Pink talks about the importance of micro-breaks. I suggested to my HR team that they replace large water bottles with smaller ones so that people could go to the water cooler to fill up their bottles more frequently. This helped people take small breaks and allowed everyone to talk to peers more frequently. This suggestion helped the team be more energized and active during the day."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a fantastic example of a thoughtful work-related improvement/suggestion. I like that you tie your response into a book that you read. This approach shows that you are dedicated to professional development and giving back to your workplace community. Nicely done!

Anonymous Answer

"When I started my position at xxx Company, I analyzed its entire process and noticed that if we make a few changes in that process, we will have more customers and provide quick services to them. It was a small company, and they didn't even have SOP documents for their employees so I started to suggest making SOP first then make changes in the operation and productions task for qualitative and quick deliverables. After making those changes, we would be able to increase our productivity by around 35%."

Rachelle's Feedback

Good for you! It sounds as though you made a significant impact on the organizations' productivity and overall procedures.

Anonymous Answer

"I began working for ________ as a COVID-19 contact tracer last June. The state hired about 80 people a week for four weeks in a row from various walks of life. Since it was a start-up organization, there were very few processes and even less training. I knew I needed help navigating but didn't want to overload my team leader, and I needed to rely on my fellow CTs. The state used google tools, and I thought google must have something like Slack that would allow us to post some how-to's and ask questions of the team to get fast responses. I found Google Currents, began a channel with my team and expanded it to all 250 colleagues. It started with a "how do I get an education" and kept growing until we had about 25 threads/channels covering resources for sick people, how to use the spreadsheets, how to use the survey, and more. The tool was a huge success! The CDPHE organization began to use it for other purposes, and the Governor even gave the project a shout-out! I was happy to help my colleagues and, frankly, to get the help I needed to succeed."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is an excellent example! Your _________ service shows a commitment to others and hard work, and this response shows your high level of initiative, collaboration, and desire to make an impact.

Anonymous Answer

"We used to have a long process to create, approve and prepare job offers using the ATS, which required the input of several pieces of information plus the back-and-forth with different teams/decision-makers in order to validate those offers. By spending some time analyzing this process, I came to the conclusion I could reduce the number of steps between candidates and recruitment coordination without making major changes to the system or creating expenses. As a result, I was able to reduce the time by 20% plus received positive feedback from candidates."

Amanda's Feedback

This is an excellent example; however, you can improve it by telling the interviewer what you did to reduce the number of steps in generating job offers. You can also share what professional skills you used when taking those steps such as critical thinking, strategic planning, or data analysis.

Anonymous Answer

"When I was building the customer-facing data scientist (CFDs) team at ______, I realized that the team's demo practices needed to be improved. There was little structure to demos, and the CFDs weren't preparing for demos before they met the sales prospect. This was especially a problem for new hires, who didn't have the experience to think on their feet. So I started writing standard scripts and processes for demos, with guidance about how to choose the best demo for each scenario and how to handle objections. I passed this material back to head office, who adopted it as standard practice for all geographic regions."

Marcie's Feedback

Perfect! This is a fantastic example to cite of a time when you took the initiative to improve a work procedure. Great response.

Anonymous Answer

"30/60/90-day onboarding plan

learn by doing

learn by design"

Marcie's Feedback

It sounds like you established or improved a 30/60/90-day onboarding procedure, which is great. Can you provide more information about what motivated you to improve this procedure and what the end result was? Consider using the STAR method so your response is logical and structured.

Leadership

45. We want to hire people at Amazon with the desire to lead others. How many people did you supervise in your last position?

What You Need to Know

Discuss with the interviewer your level of responsibility in your current position. Explore the avenues for growth within Amazon that interest you most and if you are interested in leading and mentoring others as your tenure deepens. If you have managed larger teams in the past than you currently do, take this opportunity to share those experiences highlighting what that part of your work history would lend to you in this role.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"At university, I led a few teams. The largest group was ten, but I preferred that the least. I identify with Jeff Bezos' two-pizza rule. The smaller the group, the greater and more effective the collaboration."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"Although I did not officially supervise anyone in my most recent position, I always had my eye out for opportunities to lead or mentor the more junior staff. I am a good example to others and would uphold Amazon's Leadership Principles every day."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Experienced Example

"I supervise 12 employees with an overall portfolio responsibility of $2M. In a role I held before this one, I managed 23 employees but with a smaller portfolio of $600,000. I can handle a large range of employees and would be very interested in leading others as my tenure with Amazon grows."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I haven't supervised anyone in my most recent position, but I was always helping my junior staff to understand their task."

Rachelle's Feedback

I think I understand what you're saying, but it's a bit contradictory since you begin by saying that you do not supervise anyone and then refer to 'my junior staff.' If you are helping, leading, and mentoring others in an unofficial leadership role, that's great! In that case, I suggest rewording your response so it's clear that you're going above your role's expectations to help others. I have provided an example for you below.

"Although my current role is not an official leadership position, I regularly go above and beyond to help less experienced teammates to understand their tasks. For instance, I recently helped a colleague...(tell a brief story, using the STAR framework, to describe your natural leadership tendencies)."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I was working as a product and production merchandiser at the company I last worked for and this means that I had to manage the product manufacturing team as well as my customer and the logistics team.

I was working with a total of 4 manufacturers outside of my own company and I was in contact with 20 people from these 4 manufacturers in total. I was also leading the fabric purchasing team of 3 people, an accessory purchasing team of 2 people, a sample sewing team of 10 people, a quality control team of 3 people, and a logistics team of 2 people in my own company."

Amanda's Feedback

You have strong experience in managing others. Consider expanding your response to talk about the tools, strategies, or methods you used to manage others across multiple locations or teams. Because the company wants to hire those that enjoy leading others, you can also share what you enjoy most about supervising others or what you feel your strengths are when it comes to leading such as integrity, empathy, humility, strategic planning, influencing, etc.

Anonymous Answer

"For the past 6 years or so. I have had a team of technicians that range anywhere from 5 to about 11, based on the project needs at the time."

Amanda's Feedback

Your answer reflects several years of team leadership experience, but you can improve it by sharing how you feel about being in a leadership role and explaining what you do to ensure your team works effectively.

Anonymous Answer

"I don't have anyone report to me in my current position, I am mentoring new junior team members."

Chad's Feedback

Good answer! You do well to mention you are mentoring new junior team members in your current role, as it highlights your leadership capabilities. To strengthen this response, conclude by indicating you would be interested in leading and mentoring others at Amazon, as you gain experience with the organization.

Anonymous Answer

"At _______, I built the customer-facing data science team in APAC from zero to 20 people reporting to me. But leadership is more than supervision. I've also been influential with the marketing, product, and teams in other geographies, building their trust to the point where I became their go-to person when they needed mentoring, advice, or assistance with blocker scenarios."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! You clearly have solid experience in building teams and being a leader. It's great too that you've gone beyond just your team to become so involved with other departments as well. It sounds like you're more than just a supervisor - instead, you're a true leader who people want to follow. This will undoubtedly impress the interviewer.

Anonymous Answer

"In my last 2 roles, the North American executive committee had me build successful teams. In my current role, I am responsible for driving 65% of the NA business or $900M in revenue. My current team was formed 6 months ago and has 5 people. It consists of new talent - hired and develop the best. Where I created a 30/60/90-day onboarding plan to fast-track their onboarding process.

I believe in a combination of learning by doing and learning by design. Meaning that some of what a person can do be can self-taught and the rest can be learned through the help of others."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! It's great that you have experience supervising a team of five people. All the stats you provide in your answer are impactful and will impress the interviewer. Can you talk a bit more about the skills and qualities you possess that make you an effective supervisor?

Anonymous Answer

"Although I was not a supervisor, I was a member of a consulting team that spanned the world. As a team, we would have each other's back helping each other as needed. On a particular occasion, I had a colleague approach me saying that he admired my integrity and heart for the job and that I inspired him. I had similar feedback from other colleagues saying my forthrightness was courageous and inspirational.

I think part of a leader's role is to inspire others to be better versions of themselves by living by example. I'm humbled that my colleagues held such a high opinion of me, and I knew that when I spoke my mind at team meetings I was doing so for the team because others were too afraid to do so. So, I may not have officially supervised anyone in my past role, but at the same time, I would say that I lead by example."

Marcie's Feedback

Your answer shows that you are a true leader who inspires others, even if you didn't previously have the title of supervisor. This is what the interviewer wants to hear. Don't forget to end your response by reminding them that you are excited to potentially lead/manage people within their company in the future. Excellent job!

Leadership

46. Name one person in your life that you consider a mentor. What impact have they had on you?

What You Need to Know

This is another question designed to gain further insight into what type of leadership you would stand to bring with you to Amazon. By learning more about a mentor you looked up to, they can determine the type of leader you model yourself after. So consider what it was about that mentor who had such an impact on you, what you learned from them, and how those lessons keep informing your professional growth and the decisions you make as a leader.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I would say my older brother was a mentor. He was as happy-go-lucky as they come. If you had a problem, he would find a solution with determination and wouldn't give up until it was done, often by the most unconventional means. He was disabled and frequently in pain. That never stopped him from laughing, listening, and giving his all. He would give you the shirt off his own back, and he frequently did. Nothing could stop him from being a hero to those who needed one."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"My grandfather has always been my biggest mentor. He instilled in me the value of a strong work ethic and never backing down from a challenge. Instilling these values has allowed me to achieve my master's degree while working full-time and with a young child. Not a day goes by that I don't reflect on something my grandfather taught me."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 20th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My mentor was my meditation coach. He was recommended by a friend, but I was rather skeptical about the whole thing because I had always associated meditation with mysticism and hippies. Nevertheless, I think that you should challenge your personal beliefs. So the first time we met up, we ended up chatting for most of the session and he asked me to just sit and breathe deeply and relax. I discovered that I couldn't do that simple task, and that piqued my curiosity. What I liked the most was his patience, his gentle challenges to self-observe how I react to different circumstances, and the conversations that ensued as I tried to explain what I had discovered. I think his influence has made me more self-aware and observant of others."

Marcie's Feedback

Your response here is heartfelt and sincere, which the interviewer will undoubtedly appreciate. Were you eventually able to breathe deeply and relax on demand? Has meditation been beneficial in your life? (On a personal note, I was recently asked to do the same by a new trainer I have, and I also have trouble simply breathing deeply! It's not as easy as it sounds :)

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"Ove -

Strong confident

Nonemotional, pragmatic, always available/approachable

Fair, smart

backs his employees"

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Can you talk more about who Ove is and how you know him? It sounds like you appreciate a lot of his qualities. Have you tried to model your own behavior after his? In what ways did he back his employees and do you try to do the same with your own team members? The more details you give, the better!

Anonymous Answer

"A mentor inspires others to be better versions of themselves; put others first; focus on relationships; and build long-term trust - whilst also remaining true to the facts. Such a mentor I had in my direct line manager ______. He was a master class in soft skills. Rather than telling me what to do, he would listen, empathize, then guide me using examples from his past that he found useful in his own career development. For example, when I misinterpreted the feedback of a German colleague as being unempathetic, _______ told me that he too often had a difficult time dealing with more direct and to-the-point cultures than his native Italy. _______ shared with me a brilliant book on Amazon titled "The Culture Map". The book highlighted that there are many interpretations of being late; some lead a bit more with their head, whilst others with their heart; one is not necessarily better than the other and all of these behaviors are learned. By being empathetic himself, He guided me away from rash judgment that my German colleague was being rude. The respect he demonstrated to me by investing time to listen and understand my concerns that made him a great leader and mentor. I felt genuinely cared for and that inspired me to be more like him. _______ became my trusted advisor in both head and heart. His success was my success."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! This is an amazing response that comes across as very sincere. You do a great job of describing your mentor and what he meant/means to you. Any interviewer would be highly impressed. Plus, they will remember your response because it's from the heart and genuine. Excellent job!!

Leadership

47. What qualities do you feel make a leader successful?

What You Need to Know

Familiarize yourself with the different leadership styles and determine which style best describes you. Also, spend time researching the types of leaders Amazon aims to recruit. It has been said that Jeff Bezos has an autocratic leadership style, but he has been quoted as saying he identifies with being a transformational leader. He fosters an environment of pragmatist leaders whose standards are high and expectations even higher. However, when closely examining its leadership principles, Amazon seems to expect its leadership to motivate its teams through inspiration.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

If you are applying for a management position, draw some management qualities from the company's job description that you most identify with and feel you hold. Most inspirational leaders have exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills. What great leaders do you emulate? Share some of the qualities you admire and embrace that seem to complement the culture of Amazon and its leadership principles.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Entry Level Example

"I listen and learn. I learn what makes my team tick and listen to their needs. Sometimes, they have to figure it out on their own, and you coach and guide them and have to be willing to let them make their own mistakes before you can show them the right way of doing things. So you have to guide, advise, and give them the freedom to fail. But you should do this while simultaneously setting them up for success."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

1st Answer Example

"I believe the best type of person to work for leads by example at all times. They are approachable, hardworking, and fair. Also, they don't just talk the talk without walking the walk. It is irksome when a leader says that we need to put in the long hours but leaves earlier than everyone else, for instance."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"In my experience, a leader is only as successful as their investment in their people is strong. A good leader must care for their employees and make sure they are growing to meet expectations. A successful leader will communicate expectations, hold people accountable for achievable goals, and be the shining light that gets everyone fired up to do their best at all times. That means not taking favorites and leading by example at all times."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Leaders walk the talk and set the example. Leaders are the people who help teams grow by setting the goals high, supporting them to achieve those goals, and also holding them accountable for their actions. Leaders don't make their people comfortable but always raise the bar high enough to grow their teams' capabilities."

Rachelle's Feedback

The interviewer should be happy to know that great leadership is so important to you. This is a thoughtful answer. Next, try also describing how you embody these qualities in your leadership approach.

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Anonymous Answer

"I think qualities such as working hard, being a team player, communicating, and being fair, make a leader successful. Leaders should walk with the team towards the goal instead of just giving direction to the team. To be a successful leader, proper communication within the team is vital. Leaders should share the goal and ensure that everyone understands the goal and process to achieve that."

Rachelle's Feedback

This is a good general overview of a strong leader; however, I suggest ensuring that you closer emulate wording from Amazon's Leadership Principles. The company's 14 Leadership Principles are laid out so nicely and clearly - it takes just a little bit of work to go that extra mile and show your interviewer that you have spent time learning their culture, values, and beliefs around leadership. For instance, reading through the Amazon principles - you won't hear hard-working, team player, or fair/proper communicator. Instead, they may say, 'ownership,' and 'relentlessly high standards,' and 'leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully.'

Anonymous Answer

"Someone who leads by example. The "do what I say, not what I do" mantra doesn't fly."

Amanda's Feedback

Leading by example is important, but it can speak more to a style than to leadership qualities. Consider making your answer more impactful by talking about the qualities that enable a person to lead by example successfully such as integrity, self-awareness, authenticity, or adaptability.

Anonymous Answer

"The ability to earn the trust of the team to an extent that they themselves want to give feedback to you and share their problems and have faith in you that no one can guide them better makes a leader successful. Also, the ability to empathize and make team members comfortable along with ensuring to raise the bars to bring out the best in your team members makes a leader successful."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response! You may wish to consider adding something actionable or goal-oriented as well. How does a good leader motivate others?

Anonymous Answer

"Commitment, empathy, communication, and 360 understanding."

Stephanie's Feedback

You name some excellent leadership qualities here! To strengthen your response, I suggest providing a specific example or two. You mention that a successful leader has communication skills. Can you provide a specific example of what that looks like?

Anonymous Answer

"I think there are 3 key attributes:

1) They earn trust. Without trust, you cannot lead or influence others. That is why it is important to me that I keep promises to others and I'm always honest with them.

2) They think big and set high standards. I set stretch goals for my team and then do my utmost to help them achieve those goals.

3) They develop others. I do a lot of mentoring and ad-hoc support for colleagues. This is a win for everyone, and as a side effect it builds loyalty - I had team members ask to follow me to a new employer because they learned so much."

Marcie's Feedback

Awesome. You appear to be a confident leader who knows how to build trust and loyalty. The three attributes you have listed are qualities all leaders should have and you imply that you possess them all. Great response!

Anonymous Answer

"I am very accountable and lead by example. I would never ask someone to do something I would not do myself. I am moral, empathetic, and accountable. I am very responsible. I insist on high standards, but I demonstrate high standards."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that you lead by example and are moral, empathetic, accountable, and responsible. Can you support these assertions with an example or two? Also, note that the question asks about what makes a leader successful in a more generic sense so be sure your answer doesn't just focus on you alone. Perhaps talk about a leader you've had in the past who you admired and believed was successful (and explain why).

Operational

48. We consider research to be the backbone of what we do at Amazon. Do you think it's important to conduct research before beginning a project, or would you rather jump right in?

What You Need to Know

Share your work style and approach with your interviewer, exemplifying your resourcefulness and ability to make informed decisions while ensuring any risks you take are calculated. Also, pay attention to the details, and take note of any clues your interviewer might give you along the way about what to expect from the position or the company. For example, if the interviewer tells you that they prefer extensive research before beginning a project, that is your cue to discuss your excellent research skills.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"I think you should always be resourceful, collect as much information as possible, and proceed with cautious optimism in everything you do. I never procrastinate, but I also never proceed in haste. So, yes, research should be relied upon before taking action. But how deep one should research, and the time devoted to it should always be unique to the given situation."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I agree that research is the backbone of a strong project. Without it, important details are missed, and much time is wasted. I like to research before starting a project to lay out a plan and understand the potential hurdles."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Answer Example

"Although there are some instances where jumping in right away may be required, I always prefer to do some research before I begin a project. Rest assured, I would always follow your preferred methods should I be hired."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I believe it is important to research before beginning or presenting a project. In my previous job, I realized that our location was shipping our records offsite and that there was no process. So, before presenting the process improvement project to management, I researched the storage company we were using, how it is determined to send out the records, whether we have a retention policy, and the cost. When I got all the information, I presented my findings and introduced the process improvement project."

Rachelle's Feedback

Fantastic! In your situation, it was wise to do the research and then present your findings with data and information to support them.

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Anonymous Answer

"It depends on the situation. I believe if research is available, it's essential to start with what has been done before. However, no prior research shouldn't be a barrier to start. With no previous research, one should see the reversibility of the project and go based on this. If a project is easily reversible, there is little to no risk of moving forward without much thought."

Rachelle's Feedback

Your answer shows your ability to think critically and break down a projects' needs before diving in. Fantastic response!

Anonymous Answer

"I believe research is the backbone for creating any plan and its execution. For example, when buying a house, research is needed to get to know the neighborhood, comparable housing costs, and mortgage options. For any project, research plays a vital role in gathering required information and also confirming assumptions. I won't jump straight into any project without research to avoid any surprises."

Rachelle's Feedback

You explain yourself very well, and with this answer, the interviewer should be very confident, knowing that you are a careful planner. Rather than give the example of buying a house, I recommend using a work-related example that will resonate with the interviewer and relate to the job you are interviewing for.

Anonymous Answer

Rachelle's Feedback

Good start! To make your answer more personalized, consider adding an example of when you took this approach to a project.

Anonymous Answer

"I agree that research is the backbone of a strong project. Without it, important details are missed, and much time is wasted. I like to research before starting a project so that I can lay out a plan and understand the basics. To be honest, I did research for days even before I applied for this job. I think it's a way of life for me."

Amanda's Feedback

Good job! You've shared why you feel research is important. Consider making your response more memorable by sharing a workplace example of a time when the research you did helped a project go well. Make sure to share specific actions you took and what the positive outcome was.

Anonymous Answer

"In my experience, within the AI/ML industry a lot of research is experimentation and learning on the job. So I think a combination of research before and during a project is best practice. I will typically research the business requirements before starting work on the technology. But as I work I will usually discover unforeseen issues and have to adjust my project plan (and sometimes the project requirements) accordingly."

Marcie's Feedback

It definitely sounds like you know what you're talking about! Consider including a brief example that shows how you conducted research both before and during the project. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"I believe research and planning are important elements of any project. So first, learn and be curious, then invent and simplify then execute. That is my typical MO for any new project when I need to deliver results. I need a plan."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you view research and planning as important elements of all projects. Can you use the STAR method to walk them through an example of a time when you conducted research prior to a project and explain how this helped ensure its success? Nice job.

Problem Solving

49. How many windows are there in Seattle?

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos once asked a candidate this question and hired her on the spot after her answer. It is designed to test your problem-solving skills and how you would approach answering a seemingly unanswerable question. The way the candidate approached it in the interview with Jeff Bezos was to suggest she would determine the population of Seattle and then multiply the number of windows a single person has in their life from the apartment or residence, their work, and their automobile. So, as you can see, she didn't solve the riddle but suggested how she would approach the problem. Any time such a question is posed in an interview, one that seems unanswerable, respond with your approach to solving such a problem.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"Well, I would have to look up the population of Seattle, but I would determine that by taking the population of Seattle and then multiply the number of windows a single person has in their life from the apartment or residence, their work, and their automobile. Of course, there is no way to know, and the size of every person's home is different, but one could create an average number of windows by taking the middle of a studio apartment to a five-bedroom home."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I would first add up the number of windows in a person's life. I live in a three-bedroom house, which is a good average between a six-bedroom house and a studio apartment. In my house, I have 15 windows. I have six windows in my car and one in my office at work. Each window is double-paned with two sashes, except for the car, which would mean there are 38 panes of glass, not including mirrors. So I would then perhaps round up to 40 and multiply the population of Seattle, which at last count was 762,500, by 40, which would equate to roughly thirty-million-five-hundred-thousand panes of glass. But that's just a guess. What would your guess be?"

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Teamwork

50. Tell me about a time you helped a coworker accomplish an important goal.

What You Need to Know

Jeff Bezos' philosophy on teamwork falls under three basic principles; "Be stubborn on vision, and flexible on the details." "Have backbone; disagree and commit." And then there is his famous 'The Two Pizza Rule.' He states that no working group or meeting should be larger than the number of people two pizzas can feed. The smaller the group, the greater the collaboration and coordination.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

How to Answer

A large part of leadership is coaching or mentoring others on your team. This sense of collaboration shows that you value the success of the team as a whole over their own personal goals. "Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what's next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees' personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere." It is imperative to be goal-oriented and determined, but even more critical is to support your teams. Describe what you do, outside of your own goals, to ensure that everyone on your team is successful.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Entry Level Example

"In university, I helped a friend form their first team for a major project. They weren't sure how to assign tasks or command with confidence. I challenged them to create a brain dump list of all of their teammates' qualifications and special talents. I helped them identify who would thrive most and who could learn the most in the shortest period and helped them delegate through effective communication. These were all concepts that they never applied practically. They appreciated my coaching abilities, which helped me, in turn, realize coaching was a talent of mine."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023

Answer Example

"I enjoy seeing my coworkers succeed and will help them whenever possible. One way I support my coworkers is to help them stay organized by suggesting new tools I have discovered. I had one coworker with a brand-new smartphone, and she wasn't sure how it could be utilized to improve her day. I spent my lunch hour helping her set it up. She was golden after that!"

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Experienced Example

"When a new hire starts, I have become the de-facto go-to for job shadowing. I always make sure to introduce myself to new hires immediately. I schedule a time for them to sit down with me and shadow what I do. I want to see everyone succeed, and since there is no real training program in our company, I feel I need to be the change-maker in the organization."

Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"In my previous job, I had some projects on my own. When a new colleague joined our team, she took on some of my projects because I was assigned new tasks. Even though she had more experience in years than me, I knew the projects inside and out, so I offered my help. The plan was to train her for two weeks, but we did it in only one! I eventually learned new things from her too. I'm happy that we helped each other to accomplish our goals."

Rachelle's Feedback

This example shows the interviewer that you are a team player, coachable, and also able to coach others. Good work!

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Anonymous Answer

"I really enjoy helping others. In my current role, my co-worker and I were working on different assignments. In the middle of the assignment, she got sick, and she had to take sick leave for two days. I completed my assignments before the due date, so I helped her accomplish her task by her due date. And she was able to send that assignment to the client on time. I feel so good when I can help anyone to accomplish something."

Rachelle's Feedback

It must have felt very good to help your coworker when they had to take unexpected sick leave. This is a nice story-based example :)

Anonymous Answer

"Before leaving for my maternity leave, we had a new joiner in the team with whom I spent 1-month coaching, training, and doing the handover of my recruitment portfolio. Some of the processes were quite complex, so I recorded several videos which could help this new joiner to clarify possible future questions - in case I would be off. I also shared those videos with my other colleagues, who were happy to use them for possible future hires too."

Amanda's Feedback

Wonderful! You've done a great job using an applicable example. Make your response even better by sharing how your videos enabled your coworkers to achieve a specific goal, such as hiring 25 candidates within 30 days to complete 5 recruiting projects.

Anonymous Answer

"I helped a colleague unblock a project with a local bank. Some of the bank employees were blocking progress. My colleague came to me because I had helped him previously, even though it wasn't my job. Then I had to build trust with the bank employees, by listening as they described their problems, honestly accepting responsibility, and then committing to actions that would delight them. That project subsequently won an industry award, and a senior executive at the bank publicly thanked me for my contributions."

Marcie's Feedback

This is a great example; just make sure not to repeat examples during an actual interview - instead, make sure you have multiple examples prepared and at the ready so you never have to cite any more than once. What was your colleague trying to get done at the bank? The more specifics you can offer, the more meaningful your answer will be to the interviewer.

Anonymous Answer

"In North America DS has about 6.5k employees. Of them, 50 are what we call 3DX Champions. I am a 3DX champion. It means that we passed very difficult exams and are experts at using our platform tools. Very often I help my coworkers showcase their work on the platform to their customers, colleagues, or managers. I spend a good portion of my week helping others look good in their role."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! That sounds like a challenging title to obtain given there are only 50 3DX Champions out of 6.5k employees. Awesome! What kinds of platforms have you mastered? And how exactly do you help your coworkers showcase their work on these platforms? Do you code for them? Offering more details will further strengthen your response. Also, if you can provide a specific example of one colleague you helped, that will make your answer even more powerful. Don't forget to talk about what the end result is for your coworker (i.e., what does your helping them showcase their work do for them?) Great job!