List of Amazon Area Manager Interview Questions & Answers
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1.
Do you have training in product loss prevention?
How to Answer
Companies face many types of product loss from employee skimming, organized theft, return fraud, and more. Amazon has a loss prevention team that works hard to protect products, information, and its people in each fulfillment site. Amazon believes they can eliminate many risks by creating a culture where security is front of mind. Talk to the interviewer about any loss-prevention training you have, whether product loss training or other. Show that you have put in the effort to research Amazon's loss prevention efforts and discuss how you plan to support these efforts enthusiastically.
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2.
We provide a base salary plus additional potential perks such as stocks and a range of medical and financial benefits. What does your ideal compensation package include?
How to Answer
Talking about compensation can feel scary and a bit like a game of poker. In most cases, neither party wants to show their hand first, after all! Developing a solid compensation ask will make salary questions much more comfortable to approach. You should always know what you are asking for, why you are asking for it, and how you will ask for it when the time comes to negotiate your pay structure.
Your overall compensation package includes far more than your salary or your hourly wage. It can also include factors such as:
- Base pay; whether it be salary or hourly wages
- Overtime pay
- Bonus' whether they be monthly, quarterly, or annually
- Recognition based bonus' or awards from contests
- Stock options
- Vacation pay
- Benefits packages
- Health benefits
- Non-cash benefits
One of the best ways to approach compensation conversations is to have a clear idea of the following points:
- What you want to make
- What you need to make
- What your minimum threshold is
- What the market is telling you about your job title and industry in your region
Amazon states in a current Colorado Area Manager job postings that the position starts at $52,00 per year. They also state the potential for a sign-on bonus or restricted stock units. Also included is a range of medical, financial, and other benefits not outlined in more detail on the company careers site. If you have some idea of the compensation range but are not entirely sure of the full offering, consider turning the question into an opportunity for a conversation.
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3.
Your location will be determined by work volumes and business needs. Are you willing to relocate, if required?
How to Answer
Depending on the location of the Area Manager position you are interviewing for, relocation may be a consideration. Amazon mentions in some of their Area Manager job postings, 'Must be willing to relocate at the time of hire (position location is most heavily weighted on business need but will also take into account individual location preference).'
If this question is asked of you, keep your response simple and straightforward. Whether you are flexible or not, in regards to your location, it's essential to be honest when you reply. If you are unsure of your ability to relocate, it's okay to let the interviewer know that you are open to change in the future.
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4.
We seek an Area Manager who is energetic, organized, and a self-starter ready to succeed for themselves and motivate others in a deadline-driven environment. How will you emulate these qualities and meet these goals if hired?
How to Answer
Amazon uses strong discretion in its hiring decisions. They know precisely the type of person who is a match for the role of Area Manager, both in personality and in work ethic. Talk to the interviewer about how you emulate the qualities of energy and organization while motivating others and being self-driven. Provide measurable examples of how you plan to emulate these qualities if you are hired as Amazon's next Area Manager.
Some ways that you can demonstrate energy in the workplace:
- Take the initiative on projects
- Maintain a positive outlook
- Help your team members keep a healthy mindset
- View obstacles and challenges as exciting opportunities to problem solve
Some ways that you can demonstrate organization in the workplace:
- Have clear goals set for your day
- Set goals past one day and focus on your week, month, and quarter
- Create a routine for yourself and your team
- Ensure your workspace works for you and the flow of your day
Some ways that you can demonstrate being a self-starter in the workplace:
- React to challenges by embracing them and staying goal-focused
- Set high expectations for yourself and work hard to meet them every day
- Show accountability for your results, even when they aren't what you were hoping for
- Be confident and show that you trust your intuition
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5.
What tools do you believe your team of Associates will need to succeed in any task during a shift?
How to Answer
The way you approach this question will show the interviewer how well you understand the expectations of the role, including the function of the Associates you will be guiding every day.
To perform your due diligence, consider looking up the job requirements for the people you will be leading. For instance, Amazon has many Associate positions listed on their website. You can comb through those responsibilities and consider the tools your Associates would need to succeed in their tasks. On YouTube, you will find videos from Amazon covering a 'day in the life' of an Area Manager. These videos are another helpful resource for you!
In one video, an Amazon Area Manager describes their relationship with each Associate like a doctor/nurse relationship - except that the Associate is the doctor and the Area Manager is the nurse. The Area Manager is responsible for ensuring each associate has the tools and support they need to succeed in their role. The ultimate goal is for you as an Area Manager to remove barriers to your Associate's work.
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6.
What questions do you have for me about the team of Associates you would be leading?
How to Answer
Enter your interview ready to ask questions that are compelling and unique. If you ask the same questions that other candidates ask, you will not stand out as a critical thinker and can quickly put yourself in the same box as your competition. Take your time to craft engaging questions that are custom to Amazon. Ask meaningful questions regarding how the existing team of Associates prefers to be led and what challenges their most recent Area Manager faced. Ask yourself what issues Amazon wants you to solve as their new Area Manager, and direct your questions from those starting points.
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7.
As an Amazon Area Manager, you are responsible for communicating policies, expectations, and other essential information to your team. How do you ensure consistency in your communication?
How to Answer
Consistent communication within an organization should start from the top, with internal communication being consistent and clear at all times. Amazon places a lot of attention on building a communicative work environment. Now the interviewer wants to see evidence that you are a level-headed, consistent communicator who remains respectful in your communication style, no matter the discussion you are heading. Discuss what you know about great communication in the workplace and the measurable action steps you take to ensure consistency.
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8.
We seek an Area Manager who is highly analytical and able to thrive in an ambiguous environment. Talk about a time when you leveraged data to provide a workable solution to a business problem.
How to Answer
Ambiguity arises when a task or goal is unclear. There is positive ambiguity that challenges us to grow, and there is toxic ambiguity that creates environments of disarray for employees. For Amazon, referring to an ambiguous work environment is not referring to toxic ambiguity. You will face scenarios of ambiguity in the form of new and unchartered challenges. For an Area Manager, no two days are the same, and there will be an expectation for you to think on your feet and respond with confidence based on your analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Some ways to deal with problem-solving related ambiguity include:
- Clearly defining the core of a challenge
- Identify the team members most skilled in the areas you need, and begin to delegate
- Have clear expectations and processes in place
- Accept the challenge as a positive opportunity for growth
- Remain calm and collected, allowing yourself to inspect the situation from all sides
- Prepare yourself to make decisions without having all of the facts
When an interviewer asks you to 'talk about a time when...' they are looking for a specific story-based example. You can accomplish this by using the STAR answer framework. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result.
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9.
New Amazon Area Managers work weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts. They also put in overtime hours during peak seasons. Do you have any limitations in your availability?
How to Answer
Before answering scheduling questions, it's important to be clear on the company's expectations. Luckily, in the Area Manager job posting, Amazon is very clear about the expectation of long shifts, weekends, holidays, and overnight work.
If you haven't had a chance to clarify this location's scheduling needs, now would be the perfect time to ask! Consider asking for more detail about the scheduling expectations. If you are expected to work 12-hour shifts, you should know that detail before responding by saying, 'Absolutely! No problem!' Be sure that you can meet Amazon's expectations before committing.
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10.
Walk me through your education and how you believe it will benefit you as an Amazon Area Manager.
How to Answer
Most Amazon Area Managers possess post-secondary education. In the job description for Area Manager, the company asks that external candidates have recently completed post-secondary education, specifically a bachelor's or master's degree.
While attending post-secondary studies, you likely learned some core skills that would be transferable to any position. Think about what you learned at your highest levels of education and how that knowledge applies (or will apply) to your work. Some of these skills could include:
- Time Management
- Creative Thinking
- Proposal Writing
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Building
- Independent Learning
- Academic Research
- Self-Motivation
Be sure to comb the job description for keywords so that you can match your post-secondary experiences with the skills for which they are seeking! When discussing your education, it's important to connect what you learned and how you plan to apply those things on the job as an Amazon Area Manager. Discuss some of your key takeaways from your post-secondary education while showing enthusiasm for continued growth and learning.
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11.
We hire high-potential people who are ready to make an impact on our operations. Tell us about the most significant impact you've made in your current position.
How to Answer
Amazon is a company proud to be driven by innovation. They even say that innovation is part of their DNA! For this reason, there is a very high chance that your interviewers will ask questions to reveal whether you are an innovative thinker, ready to make an impact for Amazon.
It can be a challenge to brag about your accomplishments in a job interview. For that reason, many candidates choose to talk about a team accomplishment. However, for this question, it's best to highlight an independent accomplishment. Be proud of your individual contributions!
Talk to the interviewer about the most significant individual accomplishment you have achieved in your current or most recent position. You can deliver this answer by providing a story-based example using the STAR answer method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Be sure to outline your contribution clearly, then make a connection to how you will contribute to Amazon.
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12.
As an Amazon Area Manager, you will be responsible for leading and guiding others. How do you plan to invest in the growth and development of your new team?
How to Answer
Amazon knows that when leaders take a professional interest in employee growth, everyone wins! Amazon describes the role of an Area Manager to include the opportunity to 'truly invest in others and develop a collaborative leadership style.' As an Area Manager, you can invest in the growth and development of your team members in many ways. Some ways you can facilitate development opportunities to your team members include:
- Promoting opportunities for online learning and training.
- Offering a mentorship program.
- Facilitating participation in professional organizations.
- Providing credits or tuition toward continuing education.
- Sending employees to industry events and conferences.
- Providing up-to-date technology, resources, and tools.
Of course, you want to make sure that your leadership team at Amazon would support these efforts; however, for your interview, be sure to highlight the fact that you are enthusiastic about the idea of coaching and developing your team members.
If you have some management experience, consider discussing the latest professional development opportunity you provided your existing team. Discuss why you chose this particular avenue, and include details of how this choice positively impacted your team.
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13.
We are looking for an Area Manager with a collaborative leadership style. Describe what this means to you.
How to Answer
Amazon considers its Area Managers to be people leaders. In this role, you will be expected to invest in your team and work with them collaboratively. People leadership is a significant component of this role, and the interviewer wants to know that you understand what it means to bring a collaborative leadership style to the workplace.
A collaborative leadership style might include:
- Showing your team that everyone can work creatively together
- Believing that a team works best when it comes together to solve problems
- Leaders focus on their influence more than their authority
- Leaders spend time engaging their team members to perform to the best of their ability
- Creating an environment built on respect, shared goals, and trust
- Focus on collective goals that benefit everyone on the team
- Collectively creating plans that everyone can feel passionate about
- Encouraging accountability across the entire team
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14.
Amazon is one of the most customer-centric companies on the globe. What tools, processes, and methods will you rely on to ensure that your team provides the best possible customer service?
How to Answer
Amazon has a significant mission 'to be Earth's most customer-centric company.' The company sees its operations and customer service teams as the 'heart of that mission,' hence, the interviewer needs to know that you are ready to support this mission wholeheartedly.
Amazon team members have access to the world's top technology and a worldwide reach dedicated to supporting their customers. Take time to read through the company's customer-service-focused mission and discuss how you will work to ensure that your entire team is an active contributor to this global network.
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15.
Amazon is defining the future of online retail. How will you contribute to this mission as an Area Manager?
How to Answer
Amazon has dramatically changed the way people shop. So much so that experts often refer to 'The Amazon Effect,' which is the impact that Amazon has created in the eCommerce and digital marketplace compared to brick and mortar businesses. The company defines online retail by influencing customer expectations, changing how we shop online, and dominating the competition.
The interviewer wants to see that you have enthusiasm for how Amazon is redefining online retail and that you have identified how you can contribute to this mission when you are hired. When you respond, be as specific as possible, allowing the interviewer to visualize you as a contributing leader and active team member.
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16.
Amazon provides extensive training and development for our entry-level managers. How can we help you to become an exceptional people leader?
How to Answer
Amazon is a highly rated employer. In 2021, the company was ranked #2 on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies list for the fifth consecutive year. The company strives to nurture and develop enthusiastic people into successful leaders, so the interviewer wants to know how Amazon can support you to grow into an exceptional people leader.
First, consider the resources you believe an Area Manager needs to succeed. Then, think about what you specifically need to excel in this role. Remember that a great Area Manager is focused on the logistics of efficient product movement, maintaining safety in a warehouse environment, and more while also focusing on effective leadership and mentorship.
Some resources that a manager may need to succeed include:
- Access to a mentorship program. Managers need to grow and learn from their leaders, as well!
- Autonomy on the job and trust that they will make the right decisions.
- Resources to provide their team members to encourage knowledge building.
- An innovative leadership team steering the ship.
When you express your needs, be as specific as possible. At the end of your response, if the vibe of the interview allows, think about asking a direct question regarding the tools and resources that will be made available to you.
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17.
What do you know about the way Amazon runs its fulfillment and delivery network?
How to Answer
This question is a straightforward way for the interviewer to discover how well you have prepared for your job interview. Take your time researching Amazon's fulfillment and delivery process. The company provides helpful information on its career website. If you aren't sure if you fully understand the most important supply chain management terms, you can find a lot of information using helpful online resources such as SupplyChainDive. Discuss what you have learned about Amazon's fulfillment and delivery network while showing enthusiasm for the process and genuine excitement to learn more.
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18.
As an Area Manager, you will coach and develop a team of associates in a distribution warehouse environment. Do you have experience working and/or leading in a distribution warehouse environment?
How to Answer
Area Managers are typically entry-level managers who have many responsibilities, focusing on people, efficiencies, and safety in a distribution warehouse environment. The interviewer wants to know that you will come to the role equipped to succeed in a distribution warehouse environment. Be sure that you can clearly differentiate between a warehouse and a distribution center/distribution warehouse. The two are quite different since distribution warehouse environments can be more complex as they deal directly with the consumer and often have a higher volume of product flow.
Discuss your overall experience working in a distribution warehouse environment. If you have related work experience, take some time to walk the interviewer through your resume, showcasing the related tasks and responsibilities you have performed well. If you do not have related work experience, talk about the transferable experiences you believe have prepared you to succeed as an Area Manager.
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19.
A primary focus of this role is motivating, mentoring, and managing your team. Do you consider yourself a 'servant leader?'
How to Answer
Servant leadership is a philosophy of serving those you lead instead of focusing mainly on the company's profitability. Amazon mentions the importance of being a servant leader in their job postings to attract management candidates who put their people first. Show the interviewer that, as a servant leader, you focus on your team members' well-being, success, and growth by motivating and mentoring them. If you want to take your candidacy to the next level, consider enrolling in a certification program such as the ones offered by the Servant Leadership Academy.
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20.
How would you explain fulfillment to someone who did not know about distribution warehouse environments?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you can explain complex ideas without acting condescendingly or talking over people. The workflow of a distribution warehouse or fulfillment center may seem obvious to you, but what about people new to the industry, such as a new Associate you just hired who needs to be trained properly.
When you can clearly define fulfillment to someone who has no idea what it entails, this showcases your communication skills and your ability to convey complex information in easy-to-understand terms. Give the interviewer an example of how you would break down the concept of fulfillment to make it more digestible for the average person.
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21.
Amazon's distribution workflow has three parts. The First Mile, the Second Mile, and the Last Mile. Please explain to me what each stage of the workflow means and the work required through each.
How to Answer
Amazon has an operational workflow which they break down into 3 'lines' they call First Mile, Second Mile (or Middle Mile), and Last Mile. Show the interviewer that you have an understanding of Amazon's distribution workflow. Before your interview, be sure to spend time researching Amazon and its fulfillment centers (FCs). You can even join a Virtual FC Tour to learn more!
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22.
Describe your approach to coaching, managing, and developing others.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you define your approach to leading others and how this approach will benefit Amazon and your team of Associates if you are hired. When describing your approach to coaching, managing, and developing others, give a specific response to showcase your methodology in action.
A great leader is someone who people naturally want to follow. They have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with nearly any personality type. A respected leader will take ownership of their mistakes and will always lead their team by example. True leaders see the importance of motivating others and recognizing even the smallest achievements.
When describing your leadership approach, be sure to tie your response to the characteristics and approach that Amazon is seeking in their next Area Manager. You can uncover this information by carefully reading Amazon's job posting and career page on its website.
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23.
If an Amazon Associate was not maintaining compliance or consistency, what corrective action would you deem appropriate?
How to Answer
When approaching questions around corrective action, it's important to show that you understand the difference between being assertive when you catch an error and acting aggressively towards the employee who made the error. The interviewer wants to see evidence that you would not emotionally railroad a team member who made a mistake. They also want to know that you would be appropriately assertive. Assertiveness in this situation would mean effectively communicating the error while maintaining respect for the team member and using the situation as a teachable moment.
Show the interviewer that you will balance empathy and professional assertiveness to this Area Manager position. If you have some leadership experience, provide an example of when you have had to give corrective action.
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24.
If you could create a new recognition program or add to an existing program, what initiatives would you introduce?
How to Answer
Amazon emphasizes employee recognition programs. The company understands how important encouragement is and how it ties to employee happiness and employee retention. Amazon has numerous options for rewarding employees through upskilling and continued education. Before attending your interview, spend time learning details of the current employee recognition initiatives and programs present at Amazon.
Currently, some options available to reward Amazon employees include:
- Amazon Career Choice Program: Amazon will pay up to 95% of tuition and fees for courses leading to qualifying vocational certifications or degrees.
- Amazon Technical Academy: This tuition-free training and job placement program equips non-technical Amazon employees with essential skills to transition into technical careers at Amazon.
- Amazon Machine Learning University: This initiative helps Amazon employees with a background in technology and coding to gain core skills in the growing discipline of Machine Learning.
- Amazon Technical Apprenticeship Program: Amazon provide its employees the opportunity to be trained on-the-job, in high-demand areas like cloud computing, data, and software development.
- AWS Training and Certification: Amazon offers 500+ free courses, interactive labs, and virtual day-long training sessions. The AWS training also includes free instructor-led webinars in multiple languages.
- AWS Tech U: This 48-week residency program is designed to help new AWS employees to gain the necessary skills to launch a successful cloud career.
- Amazon Robotics Training: This upskilling program provides training in mechatronics and robotics for employees interested in a lucrative career within robotics.
Think of ways that you could further support these efforts or even make suggestions for additions and improvements. Next, think of what you would do to create a new employee recognition program from scratch. The interviewer wants to see your creativity shine, so discuss what the program would look like while expressing enthusiasm for innovative recognition and reward-based efforts.
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25.
Explain your understanding of OSHA compliance. What efforts will you bring to this role to ensure a safe work environment for all Amazon Associates?
How to Answer
As an Area Manager working and leading a team in Amazon's fulfillment center environments, you must understand what OSHA is and what it means to be OSHA compliant. OSHA is an acronym for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and its a federal regulatory agency created by the Department of Labor to reduce injury and death in the workplace. Focused on safety and protecting and empowering workers. OSHA compliance will be a significant part of your role as an Amazon Area Manager. Describe what you know about OSHA and the measurable actions you will take to ensure a safe work environment for yourself and your co-workers.
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26.
As an Amazon Area Manager, you will help us to establish and maintain quality control standards. What do you believe will be an essential first step to ensuring high-quality deliverables from your team of Associates?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know the one factor that you believe is the most essential for ensuring that your team delivers high-quality work. Express an interest in maintaining Amazon's firm standards for quality control and efficiency. Discuss what you think is the most critical first step to ensuring high-quality deliverables from your team, and support your response with an explanation of why you believe this factor is the most important.
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27.
Your team of Associates focuses on meeting customer demands while ensuring accuracy and quality of work. How do you plan to encourage the performance of your Associates and ensure achievement of these targets?
How to Answer
The targets of your team and the outcome of their work will heavily rely on your ability to lead them to their goals. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of encouraging strong performance as a tool to ensure success. An Amazon fulfillment center is a bustling place! It is easy for an unorganized Area Manager to get lost in everyday tasks and forget about the big-picture related to customer expectations. Express to the interviewer that you are ready to communicate goals and encourage team performance to help drive your team to success.
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28.
Are you able to stand and walk for shifts up to 12 hours in a facility that may be 1/4 mile in length while maintaining the stamina required to be an enthusiastic leader?
How to Answer
You must be able to meet the high physical demands of an Area Manager position. As much as you desire this opportunity, it's also equally important to be honest with yourself regarding any physical limitations that could cause potential damage if you are not equipped to handle the role from a health perspective.
The physical demands outlined in Amazon's Area Manager position include:
- Stand/walk during shifts lasting up to 12 hours
- Walk around the warehouse with great frequency; many facilities are over a quarter-mile in length
- Access all areas of the building, ascending and descending ladders, stairs, and gangways
- Regularly bend, lift, stretch and reach both below the waist and above the head
- Lift and move items up to 49 pounds
Assure the interviewer that you are aware of the physical requirements of the position and explain that you are ready to perform these duties safely. If you do have limitations or concerns, the job interview is the best opportunity to be forthright about those concerns.
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29.
We believe that the best managers have more than the ability to manage. They also have a genuine passion for leadership. Why do you want to be our next Area Manager and lead a team of Associates?
How to Answer
Management is a role focused on bringing order to a situation (the ability), and leadership is about bringing meaning and conviction to a situation (passion). The interviewer wants assurance that you will bring a blend of ability and passion to the workplace.
First, carve out what you believe to be characteristics of a passionate leader, and be prepared to discuss the characteristics you genuinely emulate as a manager. When you have a passion for leading, you will likely:
- Bring contagious excitement and enthusiasm to your team members.
- Make decisions with integrity, always choosing to do the right thing, not the easiest thing.
- Think ahead in most situations, ready to guide your team into their next win.
- Love to explore options, scenarios, and new ways of approaching your work and the work of your team.
Discuss what you believe to be the difference between managing and possessing a passion for leadership. Then, provide evidence that you possess the passion required to be an impactful leader.
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30.
Amazon is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace. How will you support these efforts if hired as an Area Manager?
How to Answer
Amazon has firm diversity and inclusion efforts in place to protect its employees. The company strongly believes that diverse identities help to define who they are. You can find details of Amazon's approach to D&I on their website. They provide many informative details, including this statement: 'Our diverse perspectives are enriched by many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, culture, language, and education, as well as professional and life experience. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leveraging our unique perspectives to scale our impact and grow.'
The interviewer wants to see that you will openly and actively support Amazon's statements and policies. Talk about the efforts that you plan to make, should you be hired.
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