How to Answer: Tell me about a time you helped a coworker accomplish an important goal.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Amazon job interview.
54. Tell me about a time you helped a coworker accomplish an important goal.
What You Need to Know
Jeff Bezos' philosophy on teamwork falls under three basic principles; "Be stubborn on vision, and flexible on the details." "Have backbone; disagree and commit." And then there is his famous 'The Two Pizza Rule.' He states that no working group or meeting should be larger than the number of people two pizzas can feed. The smaller the group, the greater the collaboration and coordination.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
How to Answer
A large part of leadership is coaching or mentoring others on your team. This sense of collaboration shows that you value the success of the team as a whole over their own personal goals. "Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what's next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees' personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere." It is imperative to be goal-oriented and determined, but even more critical is to support your teams. Describe what you do, outside of your own goals, to ensure that everyone on your team is successful.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"In university, I helped a friend form their first team for a major project. They weren't sure how to assign tasks or command with confidence. I challenged them to create a brain dump list of all of their teammates' qualifications and special talents. I helped them identify who would thrive most and who could learn the most in the shortest period and helped them delegate through effective communication. These were all concepts that they never applied practically. They appreciated my coaching abilities, which helped me, in turn, realize coaching was a talent of mine."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
Answer Example
"I enjoy seeing my coworkers succeed and will help them whenever possible. One way I support my coworkers is to help them stay organized by suggesting new tools I have discovered. I had one coworker with a brand-new smartphone, and she wasn't sure how it could be utilized to improve her day. I spent my lunch hour helping her set it up. She was golden after that!"
Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021
Experienced Example
"When a new hire starts, I have become the de-facto go-to for job shadowing. I always make sure to introduce myself to new hires immediately. I schedule a time for them to sit down with me and shadow what I do. I want to see everyone succeed, and since there is no real training program in our company, I feel I need to be the change-maker in the organization."
Written by Rachelle Enns on September 27th, 2021
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