Amazon HireVue Interview Questions & Answers
Table of Contents
- 1. Behavioral Questions
- 2. Career Goals Questions
- 3. Compatibility Questions
- 4. Competency Questions
- 5. Conflict Questions
- 6. Customer Service Questions
- 7. Experience Questions
- 8. Honesty Questions
- 9. Performance Based Questions
- 10. Problem Solving Questions
- 11. Salary Questions
- 12. Stress Questions
- 13. Teamwork Questions
Behavioral
1. What are three of your strengths?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They are asking you to give them a reason why they should hire you while studying your behavior to ascertain whether you believe in what you are saying. Beyond the hard skills you listed on your resume, go deeper by providing some personal strengths which you feel make you uniquely qualified for this job. Think of qualities to your personality and character that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks. Volunteer anything that helps you over achieve and makes you indispensable to the team. Exaggerating or telling the interviewers what you think they want to hear will come across as disingenuous here, and more often than not, can be spotted from a mile away.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
HireVue's algorithm will look for verbal and non-verbal cues to determine if you can identify what makes you unique and sets you apart from the other candidates and if you can self-identify what makes you uniquely qualified for this position. They'll also be looking for signs of honesty and confidence in how you present yourself.
While preparing for your HireVue interview, keep in mind that your surroundings are also a reflection of you as a professional. This will help them ascertain how consistent you are in how you present yourself. For example, if you say one of your strengths is that you are neat and organized, and your surroundings are not, then you lose credibility. So, you'll want their focus to be on you and not on your background. Make sure your space is organized, free of distractions, and work-appropriate.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I'd say one of my greatest strengths is my attitude. Even when things don't go my way, I approach the situation with gratitude. There is always a lesson to be learned, something to be grateful for, and luck it where you find it. Anytime someone is having a bad day on the team, I'm the person to turn their day around. My approach is passive, not obnoxious. I understand people, and this leads to another strength of mine, which is my communication skills. I am a great mediator, am always able to provide perspective, support the team or the direction of the company, and am a pro at breaking down difficult concepts into relatable terms. Which leads to my third strength, that of my leadership skills. They say if you want to get something done, you have to do it yourself. But that is only if you have trouble communicating what needs to be delegated. So I am great at rallying my team, giving everyone a full scope of the big picture, and getting the work done fast, with camaraderie and motivation. So there are three of my strengths: my attitude, my communication skills, and my team leadership skills."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Behavioral
2. What are three of your weaknesses?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Remain conscious of your body language throughout the interview. Make sure your answers remain consistent with how you present yourself. Answering similar questions differently, giving off inconsistent non-verbal cues from question to question will serve as a red flag. So when describing your weaknesses you want to frame them as growth opportunities you are comfortable discussing.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
How you answer this question will give the interviewer insight into your self-awareness and how you identify your merits and growth opportunities. The algorithm will easily spot if youtry to answer in a manner that is what you think they want to hear in order to land the job. It's better to answer according to your own nature. Doing so will communicate sincerity. Keep your answers varied but consistent. Your consistency in how you present yourself will show the interviewer that you'll be consistent in your work performance should they choose to hire you.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I'd say that three of my weaknesses are also three of my strengths. I take accountability for my own actions, but sometime to a fault. I can be hard on myself when slip up, and that used to make me trip myself up more. But I am continually trying to grow more emotionally intelligent day by day. This sometimes keeps me up at night, resulting in insomnia, when I'm not able to turn off my mind. In the past this lead to interruptions in my time management. But I've gotten better at being proactive with this. In fact, my manager says I am a role model in this area, but I still feel like I have room to grow. Lastly, would be my attention to detail. I am too strong in this regard and sometime have trouble letting go and saying good enough is good enough. There were times when I tried so hard to over achieve that I ended up turning in my work late. That doesn't happen anymore, but it's still something I struggle with."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Behavioral
3. What do you love about the work you do?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The true meaning of this question is identifying what motivates you at work and inspires you to be at your best. We all like doing what we are good at, just as we appreciate being recognized in for our accomplishments. So offer them insights into what you enjoy about the work you do, what motivates and inspires you to put in your best. If you love your job, you're less likely to burn out. So explore what helps you maintain your productivity throughout your workday. The opportunity this question presents is being able to advertise how well you'll complement their team and how you'll thrive in their environment.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Hirevue's proprietary machine learning algorithms will analyze your interview performance to predict your future job performance. Think of the assessment vendor's algorithm as a composure test. So before the interview, you'll want to maximize your ramp up your confidence, both consciously and subconsciously. One way to do this is to amp yourself up physically, if you are of able body. So perform some fast physical exercises. Stretch your arms up high, stretch your back, and try to make yourself as big as possible. Then look yourself in the eye and say some self-affirmations. This is proven to help increase your confidence. But go farther and research the body language of someone who is confident and relaxed while in a seated position. Practice those positions. This will aid in boosting your composure and confidence in the long run. Fake it till you make it.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I love the work I do because I'm good at it. I enjoy working with people and helping any way I can. Sometimes that requires more solitary analytical work, and I enjoy those moments as well. It's good to mix it up. But I wouldn't have chosen this career path if I didn't have a knack for it. But day in and day out, I feel pretty good about what I do because of what I put into my work. I put my all in all the time."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Behavioral
4. Introduce yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is a standard question aimed at gaining insights into your personality. Any question that serves as an icebreaker is intended to get you out of interview mode. This will provide reference points of when you are being sincere, as opposed to performative. Your demeanor while answering this question will help aid the assessment vendor identify any tells you might potentially reveal through your tone, choice of words, and body language. So the goal here is to maintain consistency in your professionalism throughout your interview.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Before your interviews create a brief bio and rehearse it. You'll use this as your introduction. Consider it a professional personality pitch. Include anything you feel is relevant to landing your next job, such as who you are as a professional, why you are presently pursuing a job, where you've come from in your professional journey, and where you hope to take your career next.
Even though you are talking to the algorithm, you'll want to imagine you're speaking to a real person. Wear professional clothing appropriate to the role. Practice your bio in front of your computer's camera, trying not to come across as too rehearsed, since you don't want to seem wooden or dull. Make eye contact, exude confidence, and communicate clearly. If you can align your interests with the elements of what this opportunity offers, all the better. Remember, when your words don't match your gestures, it's your gestures that will be seen as the truth. So maintain eye contact and confident body language, be comfortable, and speak from the heart.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"My name is Windom Earle. I grew up in Seattle, Washington. I love playing chess, and as a professional, I'm always thinking three moves ahead. I love a challenge. Anything that feels intellectually stimulating is right up my alley. I love a good mystery as well. I'm loyal, dedicated, and determined to succeed in everything I do. I love being out in nature, going for hikes, night or day, and am quick to laugh. In fact, my positive, sometime gleeful attitude is partly what defines me."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Career Goals
5. Why work at Amazon?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question assesses your comfort level in talking about the company. Not only are they trying to determine how your personality fits the role, but they want to ensure you've performed your due diligence in researching the company, and have a clear understanding of what working for them looks like just as well as what their expectations of the who they are looking to fill this role. The two need to align.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
The assessment vendor will evaluate your confidence in talking about why Amazon is the right fit for your career and your skills at this time. Primarily, they need to ensure you're pursuing this opportunity for the right reasons. There are no do-overs, and you'll only get one opportunity to record your answers. So maintain eye contact with the camera, and smile softly. Confidence, poise, and being natural and at ease are the disposition you want to convey. Try to come across as relaxed as possible, speaking in a level yet enthusiastic tone.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I am a loyal Amazon Prime member, and I feel as though this is the company of the future, and I want to be a part of building that future. I have extensive customer service experience working in diverse and inclusive environments, and understand that these are valued by this great company. I am also a really big fan of Amazon Smile, and their contributions to my charities of choice have done a lot of good. So, I can't think of a reason why I wouldn't want to work for Amazon."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Career Goals
6. Why are you leaving your previous position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question aims to asses on what terms your employment was severed, amicably or acrimoniously, and on what conditions you severed your employment, primarily whether you were fired, quit, laid off, are still working there and if so why you're looking for employment elsewhere. When your words don't match your gestures, it's your gestures that will be seen as the truth. Also, if there are any reasons which could be interpreted as defamatory towards your team members or team leaders, they'll assume you'll have those same issues wherever you go. So try not to reveal anything that could paint you in a negative light.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Focus on the positives. Maintain eye contact and confident body language, be comfortable, and speak from the heart. Avoid burning bridges and showcase your professional gratitude for how your previous workplace helped you get to where you are today. Share what you learned from your previous position while exhibiting emotional maturity. Focus on your career, or any logistical reasons that led you to pursue this opportunity.For example, if you've outgrown your position and aren't advancing your career as swiftly as you'd like, and have no choice but to look for career growth elsewhere, this reveals dedication to your well formulated career plans.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Currently, there just isn't the opportunity to advance my career in the way I'd like. I feel as if I was ready to move to the next stage of my career about a year ago. But because of my gratitude and loyalty to my company, I haven't made a move on this sooner. So now I'm exploring my options. I value and respect my managers. They helped me get to where I am today, and we have an understanding that this was the point in time where I'd start looking for opportunities elsewhere. I have a glowing letter of recommendation with me, by the way."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Compatibility
7. When was the first Amazon Prime Day?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As stated on Amazon's website, "Prime Day is Amazon's annual deal event exclusively for Prime members, featuring deals on top brands and small businesses. The event came to life for customers on July 15, 2015, as a way to celebrate Prime members on Amazon's 20th birthday."
This question assesses whether you are a loyal Prime Member, embracing the company and it's culture. It also also aims to evaluate how prepared you are for this interview, and how well you'd be able to answer such questions as a representative of their brand.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
You want to come across as if you are at home talking about the company culture, history, so don't forget to keep it natural. Practice in front of your computer's camera, trying not to look at yourself, but rather at the camera lens, and try to come across as a friend. Make eye contact, exude confidence, and communicate clearly. Remember, when your words don't match your gestures, it's your gestures that will be interpreted as your real answer. So maintain confident and comfortable body language, and speak from the heart.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"The first Amazon Prime day arrived on Amazon's 20th birthday, on July 15, 2015. Since then, the event hovers around that time of year, and Prime Day 2022 took place July 12-13."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Compatibility
8. What does frugality at work mean to you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Frugality is another one of Amazon's 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." This is another way of saying work smarter, not harder. Hard work equates to more time-consuming, taxing, and exerting work that often exhausts payroll hours and can lead to unnecessary risks and worker's comp claims. That's where frugality comes in. Working smart means effectively managing your time, enhancing the safety of your teams, prioritizing, organizing, and approaching a project or any given task strategically.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
They are looking for insights into your philosophy, work style and work ethic. But not only in how familiar you are with their leadership principles, and the lengths you went to for preparing for this interview, but in how familiar you are with this concept. Frame yourself as a leader by recognizing the importance of this question and your familiarity with this principle. Offer your insights and field expertise in this regard, as well as your work experience and fitness for the role. Doing so will get you one step closer to advertising you are a good fit for their teams.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Ah, Frugality is another of Amazon's great leadership principles. I absolutely identify with this. As it says on their website, Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense. As far as what it means to me, I'd say it's a more articulate way of saying work smarter, not harder."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Compatibility
9. How many leadership principles does Amazon have and which do you most identify with?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
From Amazon's Career page on their website: "Amazon employees use our Leadership Principles every day, whether we're discussing new projects, deciding the best solutions for our customers, or interviewing candidates."
Not only will this question assess how familiar you are with their company and the values they define themselves by, it will also serve to see how aligned your values are with theirs. Additionally, your answer will inform them of which of their values best defines you, informing them of another aspect of your work style and work ethic.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
You always want to be in the position of being ready to answer what's being asked. Spend sometime familiarizing yourself with their leadership principles and how they define them. Choose one principle which you truly identify with and be ready to quantify how it applies to you with sincerity. Using this question as another opportunity to reveal your professional personality can go a long way here, just as you would in a live interview. Even though you are talking to the algorithm, you want to imagine you are speaking to a real person. Maintain eye contact in front of the camera as if you're speaking face-to-face with a person.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"For starters, there are 16 leadership principles. In all honesty, I identify with all of them. But if I had to choose a couple right now, I'd say since we're talking about why I'm here right, looking to advance my career goals, I'd say Learn and Be Curious falls into that category. It's true, you're never done learning and I'm always seeking ways to improve myself. And the other I'd say is Think Big. It's why I'm here."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Compatibility
10. Who is our CEO? How do you spell their name?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is another question that tests your comfort level in sharing the company knowledge you've hopefully researched prior to this interview. Not only will your answer be evaluated for its accuracy, but the algorithm will evaluate how naturally you speak and whether you stutter, pause, look up while trying to recall information, or glance down at your phone to look up the information. Additionally, you'll only be given roughly 20-30 seconds between being asked and when you have to answer. That's not much time to prepare and not enough time to look up the answers. When the camera starts recording, you want to look relaxed and ready for it. At that point, you'll get roughly three minutes to record each answer. Depending on the question asked, some may take longer than others to answer.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Approach the HireVue interview as you'd study for a test. Prepare in advance. Research, study, memorize, and be fully prepared to ensure you get an A+. Practice in front of your camera as much as you can, especially since your eye contact and performance will reveal as much about you as your answers. It helps to have the correct answer, but go the extra mile and try to score extra points wherever you can. This will suggest a strong work ethic by going above and beyond.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Well, Jeff Bezos is the executive chair of Amazon and the founder of the company. Back in July of 2021, he passed the torch onto Andy Jassy. Fun fact about Andy Jassy, back in 2016 he was named person of the year by Financial Times."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Competency
11. Describe a time you were nearly done with a project and had to set it aside it for a higher priority.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question surrounds your comfort level regarding your multitasking and organizational skills. They are assessing how you'll fit in with their team and the work environment and culture, and if you can keep up with a fast-paced, and sometimes stressful, environment. This will clue them into how adaptable you'll be to their way of doing things. This falls under their leadership principle of frugality.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
It is crucial you have some basic understanding of what the position you are pursuing on Amazon looks like. You also want to come across as emotionally intelligent when answering this question by maintaining a calm, confident and even demeanor while offering your example, and how you went about it. Describe your systems approach, how you kept track of your progress on one task when you have to prioritize another over it, to ensure you don't lose any progress or create unnecessary rework. Highlight your strengths, your flexibility, and that you are easy to work with. Take pride in the systems you've developed for yourself, placing emphasis on your faith in your abilities.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"This happened not long ago. It was in the middle of a traditionally slow period. We'd just finished inventory and were taking advantage of the downturn in business to reorganize our warehouse. I was in charge of this project to streamline all our shipping and receiving systems when a very important client placed an emergency order. This was a huge order, and yet picking this order was problematic and had the potential to create a lot of new disorganization and disruption to this warehouse restructure we were right in the middle of. So instead of creating more chaos and disruption, I created a temporary warehouse map that was a mid-reorganization picking system. This way, we were able to leave everything exactly where it was without disrupting the previous system mid-transistion. There ended up being zero rework, and spending this little extra time on the forefront was the greatest time saving scenario. After we got this emergency order off, we lost zero progress and picked up the warehouse project right where we left off."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Conflict
12. Describe a conflict you faced at work and how you handled it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
When asked how you approach conflict, the assessment vendor is aiming to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills, whether you have issues with people in positions of authority, or if you strive to preserve the peace, while exhibiting respect for your teams and superiors. Focus your example on the situation you faced as opposed to any one person. This is an opportunity to reveal your leadership potential by exhibiting your skill at non-defensive communication.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
This question aims to gauge how well you cope with stress. More often than not, when a person recalls situations from their past, they'll emotionally revert back to the mental state they experience in that situation. For example, while a person recalls getting into a volatile conflict, those emotions come to the surface while reliving that moment, and the person may narrow their eyes, fold their arms, and furrow their brow. The assessment vendor will evaluate how you cope with stress by studying your tone and nonverbal cues just as much as they'll study your choice of words. Consider this while aiming to convey your ability to keep calm under pressure.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"A while back, I worked with two supervisor trainees who weren't working well together and were both doing a bit of back talking about each other. I decided to step in and intervene one day. They were heatedly exchanging words and it started to get a bit volatile. So, I put a stop to it and met with each trainee to get their individual perspectives on what was happening, and lo-and-behold, they both felt disrespected by the other and we're complaining that the other was talking about them behind their back. With that in mind, my approach to coaching their relationship focused on empathy and the ability to see things from each other's position. I then brought them together while I mediated this private chat and invited them to discuss the instances where they felt disrespected by the other. By the end of that conversation, both realized that they were in competition with each other and both agreed to work hand in hand for the betterment of the organization in the future. Soon they were helping support each other's development, and they were both promoted on the same day, not much later. The perfect example of a win-win."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Customer Service
13. Describe your most difficult customer and how you handled it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This evaluates how comfortable you are working in a customer centric environment, how well you handle upset customers, and whether your approach fits into the culture of their brand. This also assesses the strength of your communication skills and how far you go to address the needs of your customers. The assessment vendor will also evaluate how well you handle difficult or stressful situations, and if recalling this situation triggers a stress-memory response.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Your aim is to convey how well you work under pressure by showing that you are comfortable communicating with others, even when they are being challenging. Go deeper than 'the customer is always right'. Focus on Amazon's culture, branding, and while you aim to create genuine human connection. Looking at their leadership principles, "Customer Obsession: Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers."
Answer this question by describing the situation and what upset the customer to begin with. Explain how you identified an opportunity to satisfy a customer's needs, how you identified the steps needed to resolve the issue, and how that resulted in delivering a great customer experience. Exhibit positivity and an enthusiasm for working in a customer centric environment. Detail the logic behind your course of action, what separated this example from your daily routine, and how you exceeded their expectations.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"There was a customer was upset that the product they received didn't seem like the photos online, and wanted a refund on the product and the shipping, and wanted the more expensive model shipped to them at the cost of the refunded item, and they also wanted the shipping cost waived. Looking at their history, it was clear they'd requested several refunds before for the same reason, and had made similar demands in the past. It seemed as if they'd gotten familiar with how to work the system. But on this occasion, when I looked at the photos, it did seem as if the more expensive models photos were representing the budget product. So, I refunded the product and the shipping, and gave them a credit for shipping the item back. I then told them once we got the returned it, I would offer free shipping on the more expensive model, and a coupon on an order of $50 or more. By actively listening, empathizing, and explaining the situation on my end with transparency, they felt heard and expressed gratitude for my generosity."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Customer Service
14. How do you ensure you understand the needs of your customer?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This behavioral question focusses primarily on how developed your communication skills are and evaluates your emotional intelligence and adaptability at the same time. Your answer will help the assessment vendor get a clearer idea of who you are, and also how developed your soft people skills are with a wide range of personalities.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Remember, they'll be screening you for how well you communicate. Pay close attention to your choice of words and what they might indicate. Smile and pretend you are talking to a person. Make sure to enunciate your words and try not to stutter or have long pauses, while speaking clearly and avoiding relying on speech-crutches as well. Take note of your use of any speech-crutch words such as "like," "um," "you know," "so on and so forth," "and," "well," "but," "so," "ah," "er," and "Etcetera." Record your voice while answering some of these questions. Practice answering these questions without relying on those words.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I think it's the same when communicating with anyone. Everyone wants to feel heard, everyone wants to be treated with respect, and everyone seeks validation. So whenever I'm communicating with my customers, I actively listen to them, mirror back what I feel they're communicating to make sure we understand each other. You can't proceed until you know for a fact you're on the same page. To do this, you have to validate what they're communicating based on their perception and their reality. So, I'll present the situation back to them along with any external components which may have stood outside of their perspective. I'll communicate the avenues I can explore to help them, and do my best to keep the communication as open and friendly as possible. Show them that you're putting thought into it, exploring all options before reaching an outcome."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
15. Describe a mistake you made at work and what you learned from it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Making mistakes is human. Yet owning your mistake shows character and integrity, especially when you prioritize the needs of the workplace and react in the best interest of the company. Choose your reasons and words wisely. When you provide your example, explain the reasons behind your course of action. How we deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when asking for help is appropriate. If you tried to fix the mistake before bringing it to the attention of your superiors, explain why.
Avoid sending the signal that a fear of being judged for your mistake drove your decision. Rather, a good reason for not distract your supervisors with the mistake you made is if it would steer their focus from more pressing concerns, especially where it was simpler and less exhaustive of the company's resources for you to fix it yourself.
However, if you did bring your mistake to their attention, explain that you were protecting the company's assets, prioritizing damage control, and considered how it would've cost the company more payroll hours for you to fix it, when the matter could be corrected by a superior in a matter of minutes.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Be mindful of the nonverbal cues of nervous or stressful behavior. These indicators are fidgeting, which could include any small movements of your hands or feet, swaying, shifting your weight, rocking or tilting back in your chair, leaning to one side or the other, straightening and freezing your posture, cradling your neck with one or both hands, crossing your arms, cracking your knuckles or biting your nails.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I believed an item in our warehouse needed replenishing, but I had transposed the numbers and ordered the wrong item. The next day I realized the mistake and immediately informed the warehouse supervisor they were about to get an unnecessary order of a bit ticket item we already had a lot of in the warehouse. They thanked me for my honesty and had the right connections to reverse the order and correct it. Luckily, thanks to their connections, they were able to prevent the shipment, and got a hold of them just in time. I apologized for my mistake and assured them it wouldn't happen again. Since then, I haven't made another mistake like it, and implemented several checks and balances that have only enhanced my attention to detail."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
16. What is your proudest professional achievement?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Remain objective and confident, keeping your face and posture relaxed and your body language open and at ease. Show your personality while trying to present yourself as a professional in every way. Limit your accomplishments to examples which were significant to your professional development while also contributing to the big picture goals of the company you work for. Emphasize the positive impact your success had on the rest of your team. Doing so will highlight that you share the values of your company. Their success is your success, and vice versa.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Hirevue's proprietary AI algorithms analyze your performance for your non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, clothing details, and voice nuances. Even though you are talking to a machine, it's important to keep it natural and pretend you are talking to a real interviewer. This is why it's important to maintain eye contact with the camera at all times, as if you're speaking face-to-face with a person, and do your best to avoid looking at yourself on the screen.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"One of my proudest accomplishments was when I exceeded the timeframes of my career plan this year. I'd developed a pretty good system for managing the timeframes of my goals, and felt my ambitions were realistic. Yet all the goals I'd set out for myself for three years I'd accomplished in one. I am the only one in charge of my development, and that's why I am here today."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
17. Describe a time when you didn’t complete your work on time.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question evaluates your emotional maturity and how you recover from professional failures or setbacks. Are you a victim of your disappointment, or do you keep your eye on the big picture and quickly take responsibility for your mistakes and prioritize damage control and the welfare of the team above all else? Or do you try to cover up your mistakes, deflect blame, and eventually repeat the same errors, making you a liability?
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Looking at Amazon's Leadership Principles, "Ownership: Leaders are owners. They think long term and don't sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say that's not my job." This principle of ownership is broad and includes taking responsibility for one's own actions. It's important to exhibit comfort with this principle, and not to come across as insecure or ashamed of the mistakes you've made. By showcasing that you are able to take responsibility for your actions, learn from your mistakes and taking those extra measures to not repeating them exhibits true leadership and that you take this principle of ownership to heart.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"A while back there was an occasion where I over-promised and under-delivered. I felt as if I planned things out pretty well, but I hadn't factored in those rare circumstances that were out of my control. I was making really good progress on a project that was just me working on an analytical, solitary project. Then I ended up getting a pretty bad virus from something I ate, and it put me out of work for a couple of weeks. I failed at passing the torch, hadn't taken notes along the way, and it wasn't possible to communicate over the phone. Not to mention I was pretty out of commission. My superiors were pretty understanding about the whole thing, but it still bothered me. At one point I even came into work, but I was so pale and shaking and cramped over I was useless and couldn't even drive myself home. It was pretty dumb. Not a mistake I'll make again. It seems the standard I hold myself to is higher and higher by the day."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
18. How do you establish and earn the trust of those on your team?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Do your research on how to integrate into a new work environment while onboarding during your 90 day probationary period. Before your video interview, prepare a 90-day success plan, mapping out your approach to entering Amazon's environment, adopting their philosophy and keywords as your own. Rehearse it and be ready to answer this question while maintaining eye contact with the camera while exhibiting open and confident body language. Be relaxed and comfortable in your own skin. Their ideal candidate will exhibit humility and respect for the others on their teams. They'll consider it an honor to be part of their team, to have the opportunity to make an impact through their contributions, large or small.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Another of Amazon's Leadership Principles is "Earn Trust: Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team's body odor smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I'd work on learning the ropes, gaining as much of a big-picture-scope as I can, while building relationships. It's my philosophy that it's basically my job to make my bosses' jobs easier. I have a keen eye for the details, and would point out my observations while asking questions. I'd put my all to earn my keep and build the trust of my coworkers to ensure I complimented my new team."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
19. Describe a time when you exceeded expectations.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question aims to evaluate your work ethic. Those who are determined to develop their skills, learn, and grow professionally are the candidates which recruiters are usually on the hunt for. Meeting deadlines, over performing, learning, and innovating is the aim of the messaging in your example. Demonstrate that you aren't easily discouraged. Where there is a will, there is a way, is the attitude you want to convey.
Consider again Amazon's Leadership Principles, "Learn and Be Curious: Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. Insist on the Highest Standards: Leaders have relentlessly high standards -- many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed. Deliver Results: Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
There are those who feel they've done a good job meeting the status quo, and there are those who are so thorough in their work they feel dissatisfied or uncomfortable unless they've padded the job and gone above and beyond. Think of those occasions where you went to extra mile. You want your answer to exhibit determination and a "can-do" attitude. Often, this requires making a habit of stepping outside of your comfort zone. Outline your comfort zone as consistently stepping outside of your comfort zone. An eagerness to step outside of one's comfort zone exhibits adaptability and flexibility.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"They needed volunteers for a project that was lacking in direction and information. So I volunteered and expressed to our leadership that I want to have a sit down before I embarked on the project to determine not just what they wanted, but what they needed, and what the trajectory for this project was. I worked them for all the big-picture 'need to know basis' intel on what we were shooting for with this project and why. It took some work to get all the details from them, but once I had all of that, I knew what to shoot for. So that helped me establish a guideline for what I was shooting to achieve. Any time something raised the question of what direction I should take with the project, I padded the job. As long as I wasn't exhausting company resources, I explored every avenue. Once my tasks were complete, I handed over my work, and it turned out I was so thorough that in the following stages of the project, the work my leadership planned to handle, I'd already completed. They were extremely pleased with my work. But that's my standard, and I'm proud of it, to be as consistent as possible in being an above and beyond performer."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
20. Describe a time when you had to work with limited time or resources.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The assessment vendor will evaluate your body language for how comfortably and confidently you answer this question. This question aims to evaluate your propensity for outside-of-the-box-thinking, how resourceful you are, and how capably you're able to keep a cool head in high-pressure situations. Using the STAR method, detail the situation, what inspired you to take the approach you took, and how you achieved a positive outcome. Avoid providing examples where you went outside of the chain of command. This will only serve as a red flag, presenting you as a liability.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Innovation is integral to leadership. Also, it is widely recognized that diversity enhances innovation. Therefore, they're seeking to measure your preferred working style and whether it meets their required criteria. Many of these questions are modeled around Amazon's Leadership Principles. Two of those principles apply to this question, "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. Are Right, A Lot: Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"We had two days to uncover the source of the discrepancies in our inventory results. Theft seemed like an unlikely cause for the shrinkage. Speculations and rumors were spreading like a fire. Since I have some pretty strong analytical skills and an above average attention to detail, I volunteered to review our retail stock ledgers from the last six months and compare them with our manifests. It was quite an undertaking, and it required me to put in two eight-hour shifts back to back, then a six-hour turnaround for the subsequent shift. After combing through and comparing every line item, I realized our receiving clerk was just signing off on our shipments without the monitoring the exceptions and discrepancies. We informed corporate, addressed the issue, and our next inventory came in within an acceptable range."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
21. Describe your approach to completing multiple assignments in a single day.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is aimed at gaining insights into your work style, and any methods, systems, and processes you've developed for yourself. The assessment vendor will look for any clues which could inform them of how comfortable you are at answering this question. This will help them assess your approach to your work, your skill level, and how well you'll meet their requirements. Being singularly focused is a strength, so long as you're able to shift gears and exhibit flexibility when the need arises.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Share the considerations you take while exploring how you'll prioritize your work, how you'll assess the timing and commercial importance of each task, and any other external components which might come into play. When sharing your approach, exhibit strong time management skills and offer the resources you utilize to plan your work accordingly while staying organized. How you multitask, tracking your progress and picking up where you left off on any single task, while preventing rework, is worth mentioning as well.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I carefully evaluate everything I have to accomplish. I then do my best to organize it all according to their deadlines and priority. If there are tasks that are standing in the way or obstructing productivity, I'll prioritize those. Then I'll address everything according to what can realistically be accomplished in the timeframes given. Should it seem like meeting any deadlines is at risk, I'll delegate accordingly, based on the individual strengths of each member of the team. So in summary, organize, evaluate priority, estimate timeframes, and if need be, delegate."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Experience
22. Describe a time when you took a calculated risk.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You can't grow if you're not willing to risk stepping outside of your comfort zone. Innovation is partly achieved by taking calculated risks. Often high-pressure decision making requires immediate action, in which case a good plan today is better than a better plan tomorrow, constituting taking a calculated risk.
For some, taking risks comes naturally. Others might take risks compulsively, which could turn costly for an individual, a family, or a company. Then there are those who are risk-averse, maintaining the status quo. You want to present yourself as someone who takes calculated risks as opposed to someone who is a habitual risk-taker. Taking a chance on innovation is different from being an obsessive gambler.
Provide an example that exhibits sound judgment, and an educated calculated risk, while thinking fast on your feet! Discuss the results of your course of action, what you learned, and how you've grown from your experience.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Another of Amazon's Leadership Principles applies here; "Bias for Action: Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking." The assessment vendor will evaluate your non-verbal cues to determine how comfortable you are with risk taking. This will help them determine whether you are a risk taker or risk-averse. They are on the lookout for how intelligently you approach risk taking, or if you're a liability, promoting risk avoidance and inaction.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Well, I was compiling a report, and there was missing information I needed from a supervisor who was out on leave. So I decided to start digging in unconventional sources, old records and archived information from data entry. From those I had several piece of a puzzle I was able to piece together. From that I was able to complete the picture from the missing pieces in a way that ensured me I was close enough. Then once I was able to do that, I was able to quantified the suspected missing data from other sources, which proved to be correct. It only set off our timeline by one day, still well within meeting our deadline for the project."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Honesty
23. What would you do if you found out your closet friend at work was stealing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Choose your words carefully. Attest to your integrity, and what your word means to you. Touch on your approach to such emotionally confusing situations as the one presented, and offer how your integrity guides you. Answer the question as honestly as you can. Remember to practice. The assessment vendor will screen you on your non-verbal cues, facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, tells and posture, and the nuances of tone and choice of words.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
The assessment vendor will study your performance for any signs of discomfort or dishonesty. Verbal cues they'll analyze to identify if you're exaggerating or not being completely honest include repeating a question before answering, speaking in sentence fragments, displaying a change in speech pattern, irregular speech, and rising and falling tone.
Some of the non-verbal cues the assessment vendor will flag are gaze avoidance, the direction of your gaze, fidgeting, restless foot, and leg movements, frequent body posture changes, grooming behaviors such as playing with hair or pressing your fingers to lips, stroking your chin, covering your mouth or your eyes, and excessive fidgeting.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I would explain to them that they've put me in an uncomfortable position that requires action. I would treat the matter with discretion, and suggest they come clean, inform management of their transgressions, and pay for the items. I would also suggest that if they valued our friendship, they wouldn't put me in the position of having no choice but to inform management if they didn't do so first by the end of their shift. This way, they would be the determiner of how this ultimately affected our friendship. The responsibility should be on their shoulders. If they refused, then my reporting this incident would be the consequences of their actions."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Honesty
24. If your supervisor asked you to do something unsafe, what would you do?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is nuanced. While you ultimately want to respect the chain of command, your actions also need to adhere to the core values and principles of the company you represent. Ultimately, it boils down to having a broader scope of the big picture, supporting the vision of your company, and performing your job in such a way that exhibits integrity. You'll want to come across as emotionally mature. Practice your composure. Maintain eye contact while posturing yourself in a relaxed and comfortable position. Objectify the situation, exhibiting a big-picture perspective, and how you would navigate this terrain, while exuding integrity, while staying true to the guiding principles of the company.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Amazon states on their careers page, "The health and safety of our employees is our top priority. From changing processes in our warehouses to using AI technology to ensure physical distancing." Additionally, another one of their leadership principles comes into play here, "Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit: 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 September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Well, I'd remind them that this responsibility falls on their shoulders, and that any mishaps that happen under their supervision would reflect poorly on them. I'd remind them that cutting corners in such a way simply isn't worth it, and that they need to make adjustments elsewhere. I would also respectfully decline, and inform them that I wasn't about to put my safety at risk to make their job easier. So, I would be respectful, and respectfully decline."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Performance Based
25. Describe a time you did something that was not your responsibility at work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question tests how often you step outside of your comfort zone, and whether you actively seek opportunities to develop your skills and leadership potential, or whether you feel more comfortable maintaining the status quo and wait to be volunteered. However, it serves to reveal whether you are overly ambitious and take on more responsibilities than you can handle. The assessment vendor is trying to determine where you come in on this scale. The aim here is to strike a balance of quality and quantity.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Considering offering an example where you stepped up to the plate, resulting in a rewarding collaborative experience while contributing to the greater success of your team. By contributing to the greater success of the company and the team, you're contributing to your own success and development.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Our company had an 'opportunity buy' for a great product. This was a onetime featured product. It was the aim of our management to push this item and boost our sales company wide. The product was underperforming. I volunteered to kaizen the display and branding of this item. By reinventing the display and the branding of our signage, our location sold out. Soon we requested more of the product from our other stores. At first, they were happy to unload it until they studied what we were doing and borrowed our methods. Within a week, the item was out of stock and I gained the attention of our regional manager, who expressed gratitude for my hard work."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Problem Solving
26. Describe a time when you improved a process.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question gauges your innovation and participation in trying to raise the bar and contribute to the big picture of your success, individually and as a team. Describe the systems approaches you've developed for yourself which helps you perform at your best. Any processes you've implemented that were borrowed by other members of your team, or the workplace as a whole, are worth mentioning here. Additionally, if there were any workplace systems or processes you improved upon, are definitely worth mentioning.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Another of Amazon's leadership principles is worth mentioning here, "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."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I always keep an eye out for situations where members of my team cut corners to get the work done faster. I don't necessarily think this is a reflection of their work ethic. I see it more so as them working hard to get the job finished faster, and I also view the system that enables cutting corners as flawed. Honestly, the system should be the shortcut. That process should make doing it the right way, faster than the shortcut. So when I see that, I see an opportunity to simply the system and process. Case in point, just last week I realized everyone was using our cardboard baler in an unsafe manner. But the reason was because feeding the wire cordage through the machine was difficult because of how everything was organized around it. So I grabbed a few employees to spend two hours reorganizing our workspace, which enabled us to use the machine more safely, and saved everyone a few minutes' time each time they used that big and dangerous machine."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Salary
27. The salary range for this position is $XX,XXX to $XX,XXX. If hired, would this be acceptable to you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If you can get away with it tactfully, avert giving a definitive answer right away. Discuss your previous salary, discuss what you bring to the table and how that equates to your real self-worth. Mention any other benefits as well, such as bonuses, insurance and retirement contributions, anything that can be categorized with this.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Remain confident, but exude humility at the same time. Maintain your confident body language and eye contact with the camera. Keep the negotiation going in a to be continued with the next interview, without selling yourself short or setting your expectations too high. Don't dodge the question, but don't close negotiations too early on either.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I am currently making $XX,XXX a year with my current employer, with a $XXX bonus at year's end. They've offered me more if I choose to stay. Also, it seems fair to mention I have pretty good health insurance benefits through work. While the salary offered is a fair number, I'd like to learn more."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Stress
28. How do you manage your stress levels?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The assessment vendor is assessing your emotional intelligence, whether you have control over managing your stress, and what a high-stress working environment looks like to you. They're curious about how well your perception aligns with the reality of the job. In assessing your perception of what the job looks like, they'll hopefully be able to evaluate how well-suited you are for the role.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
This question aims to gauge how well you cope with stress. More often than not, when a person recalls situations from their past, they'll revert to that situation. For example, if a person recalls getting into a volatile conflict, those emotions come to the surface, and the person will narrow their eyes, fold their arms, and furrow their brow. The assessment vendor will evaluate how you cope with stress at work by studying your tone and nonverbal cues as much as your choice of words. Consider this when you aim to convey that you keep calm under pressure.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Well, whenever I experience stress, I take advantage of that energy to move forward and problem solve. I don't experience task paralysis. I am consistently even-keeled. I have a strong sense of emotional maturity, great time management skills, and outstanding conflict resolution skills. I am an expert at non-defensive communication, and an active listener, and never crack under pressure. I just keep moving forward, problem solve, and maintain a positive attitude. Every day, we decide what attitude we'll embrace. We can't change our past. We can't change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We can't change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one thing we have, and that's our attitude. In a team environment, the right attitude can go a long way."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Teamwork
29. Describe a time you worked with someone who wasn’t pulling their weight.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The assessment vendor will evaluate your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation, and your approach. Situations like this can be sensitive and may affect how others on your team perceive you. What you need to communicate here are your intentions. Are you singling someone out to make yourself look better, or are you addressing a coworker who is struggling, trying to support each and every member of your team?
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
The assessment vendor's algorithm will study you for any defensive cues. You may think coming across as a strong figure could be beneficial, but true strength comes from within. Therefore, you want to come across as confident and relaxed. Avoid any defensive behavior, posturing, movements, or gestures that could be interpreted as insecure, closed-off, unapproachable, hostile, or disinterested.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I had a co-worker who consistently seemed sleep-deprived, was suddenly showing up to work late, and their attention to detail wasn't what it once was. I tried to talk to them about it, but despite my approach, they were increasingly defensive and weren't forthcoming about what was going on. It turned they fell prey to some substance abuse problems, starting from some opioids they'd been prescribed for an injury at work a while back. When I stumbled upon them popping these pills at work, I discreetly brought it to the attention of my supervisor, and together we offered them the number of a work assistance program through our benefits. They took advantage of this service, and after a few weeks off, they returned to work and were back to their old self."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
Teamwork
30. Describe a time when you’ve worked on a team project. What was the outcome?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your answer to this question will offer the interviewer a glimpse into your interpersonal skills and how well you work with the others on your team. It also serves to offer insights into your personality, and whether you lean more towards being an introvert versus an extrovert. Lastly, this question aims to determine how much you know about Amazon's team settings. They pride themselves on fostering diversity in their work force. "We are a company of builders who bring varying backgrounds, ideas, and points of view to inventing on behalf of our customers. Our diverse perspectives come from many sources including gender, race, age, national origin, sexual orientation, culture, education, and professional and life experience. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and always look for ways to scale our impact as we grow."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Think about your work style. Do you inspire innovation while promoting the strengths of your team members? An employee that has a general sense of accomplishment will be more effective at their job. On even the most inherently human level, we are all driven by the same basic needs and the same unifying experiences. Focus on the unifiers of diversity, on a general acceptance of the human experience and the camaraderie of a collaborative team experience. Communicate clearly and decisively. The last thing you want to do is come across as uncomfortable or out of your element when answering this question.
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"Everyone is different. Everyone is born different, comes from different backgrounds, has different perspectives, and has something unique to deliver. Well, recently, there was a major group project due, and everyone was putting in overtime. The work was easy for me, and I kept finishing my tasks early. There was another member of the team, however, that finished their project, and they just kind of drifted around, not jumping in and helping the others. I asked them if they felt comfortable helping the others on our team out with their parts of the project, and they told me that they felt intimidated by this. They were pretty shy as it were. I kept encouraging them to offer their help, and coached them on an approach, to just casually walk by and check in and let the others know that they finished early and ask if they needed help. After a minute, they agreed to try this approach and before I knew it, this employee was helping everyone out, left and right. Pretty soon, they were mentoring people across the board and a few months later, were promoted to management. That was pretty great. Sometimes all a person needs is a little nudge."
Written by Kevin Downey on September 5th, 2022