Amazon Interview Questions
Prepare for 54 Amazon interview questions covering Leadership Principles and bar-raising scenarios.
Question 19 of 54
Do you know anyone who works for Amazon?
What You Need to Know
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Entry Level
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
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.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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!"
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"Actually, yes. My uncle works in Amazon Web Services in an upper management position."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
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.
Interview Coach
Jaymie
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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.
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?
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