Amazon Marketing Interview Questions & Answers
Behavioral
1. Why do you want to work for Amazon?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
By asking this question, The Amazon interviewer is trying to determine if you would fit in at the company and if you would add value to their existing marketing team. An engaged employee that is aligned with the company's mission and values will be more productive and stay with Amazon longer.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
While there is no one right answer, a good response should be specific to Amazon and your experiences. For example, if you know employees at Amazon, you should mention it. You could discuss how their positive experiences inspired you to apply. That conveys that you have a solid understanding of what Amazon is all about. Make your response about them, not about you - focus on how you can help them, not how your career will improve if you get the job or what you will learn from the job. This isn't about your needs; it's about their needs.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"Amazon has several aspects that greatly appeal to me, including the excellent work culture, which I learned about from current employees, and rewarding career opportunities, to name a few. Amazon is a diverse company with great mindsets, and I would like to be part of the best and the brightest teams. I very strongly believe that I can bring my experiences and creativity to help Amazon grow and learn and grow myself at the same time. Based on my research, I see Amazon as the ideal company that I would love to work for, I'm very motivated to be part of the bigger ecosystem with stunning employees and hope to get a chance to make a positive impact in one way or the other."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"Amazon has several aspects that greatly appeal to me, including the excellent work culture, which I learned about from a friend of mine who works for the Amazon office in Poland, and rewarding career opportunities, to name a few. I asked around and everybody I know, who managed to get to interview with Amazon, pointed out that there is no other company that values initiative and creativity as much. I very strongly believe that I can bring my experiences and creativity to help Amazon grow and learn and grow myself at the same time. Based on my research, I see Amazon as the ideal company that I would love to work for, I'm very motivated to be part of the bigger team with stunning employees and hope to get a chance to make a positive impact in the next months."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! It's clear from your answer that you have researched the company and identified several reasons why you want to work there. The interviewer will appreciate this. Explaining how you will fit into the culture of the company is also very helpful (and if you want to go into further detail about how creative, etc., you are to emphasize even more why you're the perfect candidate for this role, that would be great). Awesome job!
Behavioral
2. Give me an example of a time you showed initiative.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Hiring managers at Amazon are on the lookout for creative, action-oriented people who are proactive and ready to go above and beyond when needed. They want to see that you are confident enough to take the initiative when the opportunity arises. Having initiative also shows the interviewer that you are self-driven and determined to succeed in your job.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Your ability to take initiative at work can help you stand out from other candidates. Highlight an example of a time when you took initiative at work by explaining what you did and why you did it, and then discuss the results of your actions. Think about areas where you have helped a past company save time, money, or other resources. Ways of taking initiative could include proposing new ideas, solutions, or strategies, proposing new products or services, or improving upon current ones.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I took the initiative when I felt that something should be discussed with the managers. Other colleagues were afraid to express their opinion, but I believe that feedback should flow freely in all directions in any successful organization. I often stood out and talked to the managers when I thought the work could be done more efficiently or that we needed more people in the team to handle the workload."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I took the initiative when I felt that a certain campaign could save us thousands of dollars. Other colleagues were not sure about proceeding, but I believed that it was worth trying. I stood out and talked to our CEO when I thought the work could be done more efficiently and that we needed more people in the team to handle the campaign. In the end, it worked and we saved around 50k last year"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Wow! You have provided a strong example of a time when you showed initiative and used the STAR method well to explain it logically to the interviewer. Consider giving additional details to further strengthen your answer. For example, why did you think this campaign would save the company money? In what ways did you believe the work could be done more efficiently? And what changes were made that ended up creating all these savings?
Behavioral
3. What motivates you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is looking for insight into why and how you are motivated to achieve workplace goals and succeed at the job. They are also seeking to discover whether the factors that motivate you align with Amazon's goals and the role in which you would be working. This question can help interviewers narrow their pool down to the individual who is the best fit for the position, the marketing team, and the organization.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Most people are motivated by many factors, including pay, prestige, making a difference, seeing results, and interacting with interesting people. Providing insight into what motivates you at work can be a window into your personality and work style, thereby helping your interviewers understand you as a person and a potential employee. Take some time to prepare for this type of question; it can be difficult to think of a good answer for this question on the spot since it requires a bit of self-reflection.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I have always been motivated by the desire to meet a tight deadline. Setting and reaching deadlines gives me such a sense of accomplishment. I love being challenged and enjoy creating an organized schedule for completing tasks and achieving my goals on time. For example, when I ran a marketing event last year, I set multiple deadlines for a variety of tasks leading up to the event. Achieving each milestone motivated me to keep working and helped me to ensure that the event ran smoothly."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I'm driven by results. I like having a concrete goal to meet and enough time to figure out a strong strategy for accomplishing it. At my last job, our yearly goals were very aggressive, but I worked with my manager and the rest of my team to figure out a month-by-month strategy for meeting the year-end numbers. It was a real thrill to accomplish that."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I'm driven by results and I do everything I can to see them. I like having a concrete goal to meet and enough time to figure out a strong strategy for accomplishing it. At my last job, our semester goals were very aggressive, but I worked with my manager and the rest of my team to figure out a month-by-month strategy for meeting the year-end numbers. It was a real thrill to accomplish that, by working together."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
The interviewer will love that you're motivated by reaching your goals, and it's great that you have included an example here to support that claim. What were the semester goals at your last company? What did your month-by-month strategy entail? The more details you can provide, the better!
Behavioral
4. How do you motivate others?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is often used for manager interviews, but it can also apply to individual contributors working on a team where you are depending on the work of others to accomplish your goals. Be prepared to share how you successfully motivated those around you so you can convince the hiring manager that you'd do the same on their team.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Motivated people have a positive outlook, are excited about what they're doing, and know that they're investing their time in something worthwhile. In short, motivated people enjoy their jobs and perform well. Share a real-world experience where you helped someone find the motivation to accomplish something. Don't just talk about hypotheticals. Talk about what you've done and what you've seen works.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my previous marketing role, I found that every team member is different and responded to different motivators. It was important to get to know the people on the team, discover what motivated them, and find a good mixture of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators. I've built a couple of useful habits for motivating my teams. I provide positive feedback often, use failures as teaching opportunities to show team members how they can avoid a difficult situation in the future, and show my team that I'm working on their side and that I'm here to help them develop and grow. This approach to leadership helps my team members stay motivated and engaged and handle challenges better."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In my previous roles, I found that every team member is different and responded to different motivators. It was important to get to know the people on the team, discover what motivated them, and find a good mixture of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators. It's best to use failures as teaching opportunities to show team members how they can avoid a difficult situation in the future, and show my team that I'm working on their side and that I'm here to help them develop and grow. This approach to leadership helps our team members stay motivated and engaged and handle challenges better."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! It sounds like you recognize the importance of identifying what motivates your team members so you can properly incentivize them. How exactly do you get to know the people on your team? How do you determine what motivates them? Can you provide some examples of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators that some of your team members prefer? The more details you provide, the more memorable and meaningful your response will be to the interviewer. Good job!
Behavioral
5. How do you determine the best marketing channels for your target audience?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question requires that you demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of identifying the target audience, available channels, and competitors - all of these components are essential to building successful marketing campaigns.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Different channels will give different results, and the project goals should guide the choice of the best marketing channels. Before choosing digital marketing channels for a business, you must understand your primary objectives, target audience/customer, competitors, and budget. Content marketing and SEO are two channels that every marketing team should use to build a strong online presence. Email marketing is another must-have channel - with an ROI of 4,200%. Demonstrate that you have proactively identified and tested different marketing strategies for past campaigns, and have learned from your experiences.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"To be successful, you must know where the business is heading. I start by setting strong marketing goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely (SMART). The goals for the campaign typically lead me to choose the right channels for the business."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
6. What kind of management style do you generally prefer?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Amazon hiring managers ask about your management style preferences to determine whether your leadership needs match current company managers and other leadership personnel. This allows them to place new employees under supervisors or managers who can communicate well and promote productive operations. Different management styles work for different employees depending on their work ethic, personality, and values.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Structure your answer to highlight the type of managers you work well with while conveying your ability to adapt to different management styles as needed. When interviewing for a job position with Amazon, you need to provide honest responses rather than offering answers you believe the interviewer wants to hear. This is especially important when discussing your workplace culture needs and management style preferences. Avoid stating that you prefer only one kind of management style.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy having my hands in several different projects, so I like working with managers who allow their employees to experiment, be independent, and work cross-functionally with other teams. At the same time, I welcome it when a boss provides me with support, guidance, and coaching. No one can do anything alone, and I believe when managers and employees collaborate and learn from one another, everyone comes out on top."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
7. What are the biggest challenges you foresee in this marketing role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is looking to see what area of this role you may be the most unsure about taking on. It's okay to communicate that you will face challenges. It's how you react to those challenges that is important. Hiring managers want to see that potential hires are self-aware and proactive.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Learn as much as you can about the position before the job interview. Get a keen understanding of the requirements and any hardships they might cause. Instead of simply dwelling on weaknesses, use this question to address fears head-on and discuss how to conquer them. Imagine the types of daily tasks that might be challenging in this role; next, choose a realistic example where that role might present a difficulty; finally, provide a clear plan for addressing it.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"One challenge I foresee has to do with Amazon being a fast-growing market where the rules of the game change fast. For example, the platform regularly adds capabilities and changes to how some products work. As a result, it could be challenging to be in the loop at all times. I think it will be important, early on in the role, to define and understand the overall vision and marketing goals, your target audience, and what the marketing team wants to achieve, keeping the best ROI in mind."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"One challenge I foresee has to do with Amazon being a fast-growing market where the rules of the game change fast. For example, the platform regularly adds capabilities and changes to how some products work. As a result, it could be challenging to be in the loop at all times. I think it will be important, early on in the role, to define and understand the overall vision and marketing goals, your target audience, and what the marketing team wants to achieve, keeping the best ROI in mind."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
This definitely sounds like a challenge that will exist at this company. It's great that you're aware of it. Outside of defining and understanding the overall vision and marketing goals, target audience, and so on, how else will you handle this challenge? How will you ensure that you stay in the loop and abreast of all the changes as they're happening?
Behavioral
8. What is the first thing you’d do if hired for this position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer would like to know that you would be ready to make an impact on their organization immediately after being hired. Employers place the highest value on candidates who will be assertive about learning the job, blend in with the team, and become productive as soon as possible.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Your answer can be an effective way to show your planning, research, and ability to hit the ground running. A good answer can put you head and shoulders above other candidates.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"The first thing I will do if I get the job is to introduce myself to my new colleagues and manager. It is important to have a good working relationship with the marketing team. They can introduce me to the company, and since we will be working together in the future on many projects, it's important to get off on the right foot. I've found that inviting people out for dinner or asking them to get a coffee together or Just being friendly is helpful to begin a positive relationship with co-workers."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
9. Describe your leadership style.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If a hiring manager asks you this question in an interview, they care about your leadership ability and are likely using it as a factor in deciding who to hire. Your example doesn't have to be direct leadership. You don't need to have managed or supervised people in a past job. Maybe in a few years, they plan on promoting you, or maybe they want someone who can lead by example and mentor newer people within a year or two.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
You need to demonstrate that you're confident when leading and have done it before. Choose your most impressive leadership experience. It might be that you were a leader on a sports team, on a class project, or in a previous job. After you answer the question and describe your general leadership style, you may want to ask the hiring manager if they want you to go into more detail.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think my strengths as a leader include effective delegation and communication, so my leadership style takes advantage of those strengths. I always try to delegate tasks to whoever is best equipped to perform well at the task, and I try to communicate clearly about what needs to be done and why. That eliminates any back-and-forth and the need to re-do tasks. Taking more time to communicate effectively early in the process and delegating properly saves time as a project advances."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
10. What is your favorite marketing campaign and why?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
These interviews test your general marketing knowledge, awareness of marketing campaigns, creativity, and product awareness. With an increasing number of emerging channels and technologies in the hands of marketers, today's campaigns are innovative and impactful.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
There's no right or wrong campaign to choose. The goal is to provide a thoughtful response that demonstrates a clear line of thinking and explains why you think this is a strong marketing campaign. Prepare for the interview by building your awareness of recent and successful marketing campaigns. Consider what aspects of those campaigns you felt connected well with their target audience. Choose a campaign that relates to Amazon and demonstrates your understanding that innovation and creativity are essential in developing successful campaigns in today's world.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy the recent marketing campaign that Spotify has put together. They've created memes as the perfect way to communicate to global customers without saying much. It's funny, easy to understand, and very relatable. The campaign's goal is to increase its customer base and appeal to young audiences in Brazil, Mexico, Columbia, South Africa, and Spain. They succeeded in deepening their connection with the customers that already know and love Spotify and cultivated relationships and moments of discovery in areas of the world where they are looking to expand."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
11. Tell me about a time you failed at work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Amazon doesn't want to hire someone who makes excuses and blames others for their mistakes. This type of person doesn't usually learn from their failures and is difficult to work with. Your response to this question will reveal the kinds of risks you take and the habits you possess and define your perceptions of success and failure.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
You need to demonstrate how you dealt with a problematic situation, turned it into a learning experience, and avoided repeating the mistake. Use the STAR method (Situation/Task, Approach, and Results) to prepare your story, detailing what you learned from your experience. Everyone makes mistakes, so don't say that you have never failed.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my past position, I was responsible for managing a project for one of our biggest clients, and I was so eager to please them that I told them we could finish the project within two weeks. I thought this was doable, but it took twice as much time, and the client was not happy. I should have been more conservative in my estimate to the client. I realized that a client isn't going to be upset if you're clear about the timeline in advance, but they're going to be disappointed if you promise something and then don't deliver. I used this experience to learn how to manage my clients' expectations. For example, on my next project with a different client, I told them it would take four weeks to complete the marketing campaign, and we were able to finish in three weeks, ahead of schedule - making the client very happy."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
12. Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager. How did you handle it? What was the outcome?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is looking to see that you have a good relationship with those in authority. How you interact with your previous manager also says a lot about you. The interviewer uses questions like these to see if you'll be a good fit at Amazon.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Focus on the traits, skills, and experiences that helped you diffuse the disagreement. Talk about a time you resolved a conflict with your boss where you both compromised and came to a mutually beneficial resolution. This allows you to speak confidently about the situation, show off your conflict resolution skills, and prove that you are amenable to compromise. Use the STAR method when answering this question - this ensures you include all of the important pieces of your story: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last job as marketing manager, I handled all relations with several large clients. One time, a dissatisfied client approached my manager about how I handled an email marketing campaign. My boss was upset and asked me to meet during lunch to tell me that she agreed with the client and that I had mismanaged the campaign. I'd spent weeks researching data for the campaign and putting all the pieces together. I felt I handled the campaign well. I knew I had to advocate for myself and explain why I executed the campaign the way I did. After listening to what my boss had to say, I realized a few corrections I could make in the future. I also knew that I had to make things right with the client. In the end, I learned a few new things about email marketing campaigns, and most importantly, I learned that my manager appreciated direct communication. She respected what I had to say, even if she disagreed. She appreciated my apology and quick resolution with the client. Following that conversation, we had a more open relationship. She felt comfortable giving me feedback, and I felt comfortable speaking up. I continued to manage that client account successfully for three more years."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
13. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers typically ask this question to understand how well this job fits your overall career aspirations. Typically, what they're looking for is stability. Considering how expensive it is to hire and onboard new employees, interviewers want to feel confident that the people they hire have the ambition to excel and growth potential but aren't already plotting how to land their next job.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Prepare by thinking through what your short- and long-term career goals are. You should avoid sharing too much detail about timelines and job titles. The best way to respond is to show intentionality with direction but flexibility in the details. Connect the job to your career goals. Try to incorporate some language from the job description into your answer.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"Over the next five years, I plan to expand my knowledge about different marketing channels, especially experimenting with paid search and social ads and finding ways to get more involved in campaign strategy."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
14. How would you handle a co-worker who was distracting you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers often ask questions about handling conflict to assess if you're a team player who works well with others. Most organizations like Amazon hope to find people who are easy to work with and can remain calm during challenging situations.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Working alongside other people isn't always easy, but people who are easily annoyed or difficult to get along with create more issues down the road. You should demonstrate that you are patient and can handle distracting coworkers calmly and productively. Nobody likes a complainer who doesn't take any action to fix the situation.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have found that the best way to deal with distracting co-workers is to let the annoying things roll off my back. I worked with someone in my past position who constantly interrupted my work day to discuss her personal issues and wanted to go to lunch every day. I politely rejected her invitations and told her that I needed my personal space and quiet time to focus on my work. I also offered that we could meet up for lunch once a week or take a walk and get some fresh air during a break. She understood, and we eventually became good friends and supportive co-workers."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Behavioral
15. What have you done in the past to learn new skills or develop existing skills?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Employers ask questions about what skills you want to improve to challenge you to give an objective, unbiased assessment of yourself. These questions allow you to discuss an area you'd like to enhance and explain why, which can provide the hiring manager with insight into your growth potential and willingness to learn.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Demonstrate your willingness to learn and show that you have the drive, self-discipline, and motivation to enhance your skills and abilities. Provide an honest answer about a professional skill you want to improve. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your previous experience or what you're currently learning to build your skills. Explain to the hiring manager why you want to improve the skill and discuss the steps you're taking or the immediate plans you have for the future to develop your skill. Connect your desire to build this skill to how it would help you succeed in this role.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"During my first year as a market research analyst, I had to learn how to forecast sales trends for popular electronics products. Since the company I worked for had a lot of competitors, it took some time to separate my findings and make interpretations based. I did a lot of outside research and learned how to distinguish between direct and indirect competitors, which made it easier to interpret the sales predictions that I reported. I also learned how to manage my time to deliver a timely research report, which enabled product developers to readjust their plans accordingly."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Common
16. What qualities do you possess that make you a good fit for this job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question helps the hiring manager, who may be the Director of marketing, get a better idea of who you are and how you stand out from the rest of the applicants. They are looking for versatile team members who can apply their skills to a variety of situations and can solve unexpected problems that come up with ease and confidence. Your answers can also give them a glimpse into how you fit into the workplace culture and how they can rely on you as part of the team to meet business goals.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
The closer a match you are to the ideal candidate for the position, the better your chances of getting a job offer. To prepare an answer to this question, read through the job posting. Then, make a list of all your qualities and skills that match the requirements listed in the posting. Circle one or two qualities that you think make you particularly unique. Your answer does not have to be long and involved, but it needs to prove that you are the ideal candidate for this role at Amazon.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
I can bring dedication and a drive to succeed in this company. I've always been appreciative of what the organizations I have worked for have done for me. I'm a loyal and dedicated employee who wants to do my best for my company.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Common
17. What are you passionate about?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This common interview question gives the interviewer clues about what motivates you, what your strengths might be, and what interests you personally and professionally. Since they want to know the best way to make their teams as efficient as possible, it's helpful for employers to know what inspires their workforce.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
To answer this question successfully, select something you are genuinely passionate about and explain why you're passionate about it. Give examples of how you've pursued this passion. It's best if you can relate your passion to the job.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"One area that I'm passionate about is self-development and self-improvement in my personal life. I'm always looking to challenge myself and learn new things. That's one reason I enjoy working in marketing and communications. I've learned great communication skills, networking skills, and problem-solving skills that have helped me in all aspects of my life in terms of confidence and building relationships."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Competency
18. Tell me about the most successful campaign or project you ever worked on.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer might ask this question to learn how you define success and understand how much you have accomplished. They are looking for marketing candidates who can walk them through a successful marketing campaign from start to finish. Studies have shown that people who exhibit pride in their achievements tend to perform well and persevere in similar tasks.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Successful marketing campaigns make companies memorable. They promote a focused effort that guides consumers towards the desired action. They also give brands an identity, personality, and emotion. Be prepared to speak to qualitative and quantitative results and your role in achieving success in a past campaign. Try outlining the campaign, its goals, its results, and your specific role and contribution when you respond.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I led my most successful campaign last year when I worked with a B2B client that required a complete marketing funnel to sell a new product. I worked closely with the client to define the project goals and build out each stage of the funnel. I recruited an experienced marketing and communications consulting team to help create a multi-channel campaign, including social media, video, and special events. I managed every phase of the project through delivery. We exceeded the revenue goal by 150%, which caused the client to hire the company for its next digital marketing project."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Competency
19. What are the most prominent challenges marketers face today?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Marketing trends come and go at lightning speed. It can be difficult to stay on top of the latest strategies, tools, social platforms, and viral content. Amazon interviewers ask this question to see how you view the marketing profession and prepare for challenges.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
To answer this question, draw upon your marketing experiences and experiences as a consumer. You could describe the saturation of social-media platforms and the challenge of finding the right approach for each unique audience. Another option would be to talk about how savvy the modern consumer is and the challenge of creating content that strikes a balance between authenticity and aligning with a company's overall brand and vision. Be prepared to offer the strategies you use to overcome these challenges.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my opinion, the biggest challenge for marketers is generating great results in an increasingly crowded marketplace. To continue to be competitive in the market, I think digital marketers need to dedicate time to monitoring new trends and experimenting with new techniques. By tracking new developments and trying innovative methods, the best marketers can succeed even as the digital marketing landscape changes quickly."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Competency
20. What marketing tools can you use well?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You'll encounter questions about digital marketing tools in an Amazon interview. They use specific programs that they'd like candidates to have some experience with. These include a variety of targeted online marketing channels: Amazon associates program, sponsored search, social advertising, online advertising, and television advertising.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
No matter what marketing position you're applying for, you need to know the basics of some marketing tools, and since a lot of marketing revolves around data, even spreadsheets are considered marketing tools. Think about the marketing programs you've used, including email marketing tools, social media platforms, pay-per-click advertising, SEO tools, or web analytics tools. Discuss how you've used different marketing tools, their purpose, and the success you've had with them.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"While working for my previous employer, I used Mailchimp to reach target markets via email, created pay-per-click ads for clients using Google Ads, and tracked our clients' online presence with Google Analytics. Before devising a marketing campaign for a large insurance company, I used Google Analytics to determine which of the client's web pages were getting the most and least traffic. I found that the client's primary service areas were getting less traffic and didn't rank well for our targeted keywords according to SEMrush. I consulted with the content department to optimize the primary service area pages for better SEO performance."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Competency
21. How do you develop marketing campaigns and track their success?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Amazon interviewers ask about your previous experience developing marketing campaigns to understand how you'll apply your skills if they hire you. They also want to know how you define and track success, what tools you use, and that you understand how marketing data affects day-to-day operations.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
If the position requires analyzing and interpreting data (and most marketing jobs do), be prepared to discuss marketing data, analytics, or even some basic statistics. Speak about your experience and discuss your process in developing a campaign, how you measure and analyze data, and how it informs your decision-making and proves whether or not a campaign is successful.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"First, I identify the client's needs and determine which marketing strategy would best help them reach their goals. For example, in my previous role, I took time to study how our client's website ranked on search engine results pages and devised a marketing strategy to improve their SEO. That included working with the content department to develop new keyword-focused landing pages, blogs, and articles. On projects like this, I also take the website design, functionality, and performance into consideration and work with the IT department to address any changes that need to be made. I then use tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track the number of new leads, unique visitors, and page clicks our clients receive."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Discovery
22. What does success mean to you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is a discovery-based inquiry, genuinely focused on how you think versus what you do, and is intended to give your potential employer a sense of your work ethic, goals, drive, and overall personality. Your interviewer is also trying to ascertain how well you would fit in with their company culture; for example, they want to know if your definition of success matches the company's objective and if you define success in a way that is compatible with the role for which you are interviewing.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
How you respond to this question will tell the interviewer what you find most important and what you prioritize. The best approach to answering this question is to reference a specific example of one of your successes and explain the factors that contributed to your achievements. How you define success will be based entirely on your values, career ambitions, and life experience. Although you should be honest in your answer, it's also a savvy strategy to show how your perspective on success aligns with the employer's needs.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I view success as a process where challenges encourage me to look at things from different perspectives and find creative solutions to problems. Facing those challenges helps me progress while I hopefully progress toward company objectives. I can leave work feeling successful as long as I have progressed toward solving a problem or reaching a goal, even if I have not reached every personal goal at the end of the day."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Discovery
23. Why should we hire you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers want to see how confident you are in your abilities. If you don't think you'd perform well in their job and succeed in the role, they will wonder why they should hire you. They also want to know what sets you apart, what makes you qualified for this job, and how you'll perform in this role.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Make sure you've done your research and understand the job. If you didn't even look at the job description before applying, the company is not very likely to want to hire you. This is your chance to brag and stand out from other candidates. Explain why you're a great fit for this position and its specific job requirements. Demonstrate to the interviewer why you're excited about this type of work and that you will be motivated and enthusiastic in the role.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've led a marketing team for the past three years. I started with two direct reports and then hired an additional three people to grow my team to five total. I was responsible for their performance reviews, training, and more. It's an area that I enjoy, and I hope to grow into at Amazon. That's one reason I applied for this job; I saw this Manager role has the opportunity to play a leadership role and help grow the marketing team."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Discovery
24. What would your past co-workers or peers say is your greatest strength?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to find out more about how you fit into the company culture at your last job. If you didn't get along with your coworkers, it could mean that the company culture wasn't a good fit for you, and if the job you are interviewing for has a similar company culture, you may not be a good fit for that either. They will also compare what you've said to what your actual references have said about you.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
A good answer to this question should contain a few key elements, including honesty and an example of how your coworkers or a single coworker thought of you. Focus on the skills and attributes that would make you an asset to the organization. If you want to dig deeper, ask your current or past co-workers how they would describe you. Their answers may reveal strengths you otherwise wouldn't have considered or areas for improvement.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"My past coworkers have told me that I am very organized and quite good at time management. During one specific project, my team members praised me for developing and sticking to a timeline for all the project's different aspects. We completed the project ahead of time, and it went well! I'd love to help build a similar relationship with my team members in this position."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Knowledge
25. How do you stay current on industry trends?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The digital marketing industry changes constantly, and Amazon hiring managers want to know that you stay informed. They are looking to hire employees who are forward-thinking and in tune with trends impacting their profession.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Being engaged with the industry shows you care about it. It's an indicator that you're passionate about work and will go beyond the bare minimum as an employee. You should be able to show the interviewer that you are on top of what's new and noteworthy. Before the interview, you should spend some time researching and familiarizing yourself with industry trends by following multiple companies on social media, subscribing to industry newsletters, and reading articles and blogs.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"One of my strengths is my knowledge and experience within the industry. I have over eight years of experience working in marketing and have seen firsthand how the challenges and opportunities have evolved. In addition to my previous experience, I've also attended several marketing conferences and webinars on best practices and have built connections with colleagues at various companies. I'm always looking for new insights and information to help me do my job even better."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Knowledge
26. What do you think sets Amazon apart from our competitors?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to assess your understanding of Amazon's place in the market and what they do better than their competition. This allows you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and show that you've spent time researching Amazon and the industry. The interviewer wants to know how you will be an asset to Amazon and help it outpace the competition.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Preparation is key for success with this question. Take time to research Amazon and its competitors and be prepared to talk about industry and market trends and what sets Amazon apart from others. Highlight your interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"Amazon offers its consumers greater ease of use over other retail e-commerce websites. They offer free shipping and convenience and provide a vast selection of products at competitive pricing. No hassle returns, an easy checkout experience, and a huge repository of reviews also make Amazon the go-to option for a growing number of consumers."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Management
27. How do you manage customer and client relationships?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Hiring managers typically ask questions like this to ensure you have the necessary management and communication skills to work effectively with all customers. The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills and experience with customer service. They look for candidates who are willing to go beyond their assigned duties to ensure that customers and clients receive excellent service.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
One of the roles of a marketing professional is developing and maintaining the relationship between the company and its clients. When answering marketing manager interview questions, consider a few things: how you communicate with clients, how you meet clients' demands, and how you address difficulties with customers and clients.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my past role as marketing manager, I've always tried to be transparent with my clients. I try to bring ideas to the table, brainstorm, create a plan, and discuss potential challenges. When working on a campaign, I keep clients updated regularly on our progress and pitch a plan to overcome any obstacles that might set us back."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Management
28. Tell me about your organizational skills and how you prioritize your work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Questions about how you prioritize work, manage your time, and maintain structure in your daily routine can help the interviewer understand how your skills fit the job. The interviewer likely will want to assess your ability to organize your workflow and complete important projects and tasks on time. This question also gives the interviewer insight into your strategies when preparing your daily task lists.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
When answering these types of questions, it's important to provide examples that highlight your attention to detail, organizational methods, and ability to plan. When answering questions about organizational skills, describe the project or situation, your role or task, your actions, and the results you achieved. This helps the interviewer understand how your skills can help you meet similar objectives in a job.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have created a simple strategy to stay organized and complete my work within expected deadlines. First thing each morning, I check in with my team and review the work we completed the previous day to see what tasks I still need to finish. I use the app Trello to track the status of tasks before checking in with my manager to see whether there are any urgent projects or assignments that require my attention. If there are no high-priority projects, I start my workday where I left off the day before. I find this helps me organize the tasks I have left to do while creating time in my schedule to handle any new priority assignments."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Scenario
29. Give me an example of a time you received criticism. How did you respond to the information?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers want to know how you respond to stressful situations and whether you can take suggestions and corrections with the right attitude. They want to get a sense of your character and learn more about areas where you're less skilled. They also want an indication that you're willing to recognize your weaknesses and take the necessary steps to improve.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Show that you can listen to criticism, respond professionally, learn from the feedback, and willingly take action to make improvements. Ensure that the example you choose illustrates that you have viewed the criticism objectively, took ownership of the problem, and used it to improve your work. A good answer will show emotional maturity, adaptability, and open-mindedness.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last position as a marketing coordinator, I received input from my manager that helped me understand how to improve my work. Once I was asked to revise a project that I had spent a lot of time on, but after listening carefully to the critique, I saw how I could make changes that would strengthen the finished product. I'm always eager to learn from people with different views and experiences, especially when the commentary can help me grow in my career and strengthen my skill set."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Teamwork
30. At Amazon, we greatly value teamwork. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers pose these sorts of questions when good teamwork is an essential element of their work environment and company culture. At Amazon, the ability of team members to collaborate effectively is critical to productivity and operations success. If you prefer to work independently and lack interpersonal and people skills, you may not be the best candidate for a role with Amazon.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
How to Answer
In your answer, while you want to focus on how you helped the group achieve a result, try not to focus too much on your individual successes. You want to show that you're a team player, so avoid implying that the group only succeeded because of your efforts. Instead, focus on how you helped the group achieve something together. Telling a story from your past is the most effective way to communicate your strengths as a team member.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have years of experience working on team projects at my previous marketing job. I was involved in situations where out-of-the-box thinking was necessary to deliver the project. I excel at communicating with my peers and find it most beneficial to establish open lines of communication. On a past project, I recommended we utilize Slack to connect as a team and keep in constant communication. Improvement can only be made with successful teamwork, and I feel this is important in any marketing role."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on June 4th, 2022