Amazon Interview Questions
Prepare for 54 Amazon interview questions covering Leadership Principles and bar-raising scenarios.
Question 42 of 54
One of Amazon's newest Leadership Principles is 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' How does this principle resonate with you?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
One of the most recent additions to Amazon's Leadership Principles is, 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' This principle states, 'We started in a garage, but we're not there anymore. We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day. We must begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them.'
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Amazon's Leadership Principles are the foundation on which the company makes its decisions, including hiring decisions. Knowing this, I have dedicated a lot of learning time to these principles, including one of the newest ones, 'Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.' I interpret this principle to mean that Amazon had a humble beginning, but now Amazonians are expected to take big action and make a significant impact on the world. Although people are looking to Amazon to pave the way, every Amazonian should remain humble and consider the impact of their actions. This impact means considering the planet as a whole, including our community and future generations. I embody this principle by taking actions that I know will enrich the lives of others. I seek to give back to my community through my volunteer work and strive to make positive decisions that make myself and others proud. I look forward to joining such a thoughtful and mindful organization."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I read somewhere that Jeff Bezos is a huge Star Trek fan, which is a source of the inspiration for Blue Origin and Amazon. He is forward-looking and is participating in bringing about the kind of idealistic future Gene Roddenberry conceptualized. When I look at this leadership principle, I see it as that. If you are going to innovate and create something as big as Amazon, you need to make sure it has a positive impact in every regard, and that takes constant vigilance and responsibility."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
The interviewer is curious whether you identify with this principle and what it means to you. Several articles have been written about how Bezos introduced these two new principles just days before stepping down as Amazon's CEO. Read and study them. Be prepared to discuss how and why it resonates with you professionally since most of Amazon's interview questions are based on the company's Leadership Principles.
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Anonymous Answer
This principle reminds me of the quote from Spiderman, "with great power comes great responsibility." I believe we should be givers, not takers, and that we should have the humility to practice servant leadership. For example, I purchase carbon offsets when I fly because my business trips shouldn't damage the world.
Marcie's Feedback
Bringing Spiderman into the conversation will probably make the interviewer smile, and they will likely be impressed by your desire to practice servant leadership. You might also talk about how such a large company wields a lot of power and makes a great impact and that you will carry this knowledge with you (and allow it to influence your decision-making) if you are hired. Nice job!
Anonymous Answer
The LP means that Amazon started small and is now huge, and has social and moral responsibilities at multiple levels globally, community and family. Amazonians are expected to take action that impacts the world for today and future generations. I seek to give back to my community through my volunteer work, and I strive to make positive decisions that make myself and others proud. I look forward to joining such a thoughtful and mindful organization
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent response! It's detailed, explaining clearly what the leadership principle means to you, and also shows your enthusiasm for working for a company that embodies this principle. Great job!
Anonymous Answer
Starting small and becoming large is no easy task, all while gaining respect. Amazon did it like no other. This resonates with me with my career as an EA because I started small too. I was a receptionist and told the CEO I wanted his EA's job when she gave notice. He gave me a chance and here I am 28 years later as a successful EA. I took that responsibility and ran with it. Anyone can achieve success if they want it.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! You have done a great job explaining what this principle means and how it resonates with you. The example you give is very effective in showing that it's okay to start small and strive to grow bigger. Consider also talking about how scaling/growing bigger brings more responsibility. What does this mean to you? What kinds of responsibilities does it bring? Great job!
Anonymous Answer
Leaders are responsible for living by example. That responsibility increases exponentially with the leader's scope of influence. Leaders must wield power not as a right, but as a privilege. The responsibility to better serve the community and the customer base does not diminish with success but becomes all the more imperative as only through continued service to others can trust continue.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! It's clear from your response that you understand this leadership principle. To further strengthen your answer, consider mentioning a leader who embodies this principle and discuss how they have inspired you. Also, if you can tie in the company and how you think it lives out this principle, that will no doubt impress the interviewer too. Excellent job!
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