As a proud Amazonian who has returned to the company—a ‘boomerang‘ in Amazon lingo—I’ve experienced the Amazon interview process not just once, but twice. Now, as part of the Talent Acquisition team, I understand these processes even better. With time, I have gained insights into what makes this hiring journey unique and impactful. This guide will help you navigate the Amazon interview process and find your place in a company where innovation, customer obsession, and a ’Day 1’ mindset define everything we do.
The Amazon application process: What You Need to Know
The journey to Amazon begins at Amazon.jobs, a portal that opens doors to thousands of opportunities across diverse roles, locations and teams. Many candidates also find their way through direct outreach from recruiters via LinkedIn or email, employee referrals, or networking at Amazon-hosted events. Once you’ve submitted your application, recruiters and coordinators will guide you through the process, ensuring you’re well-prepared for each step. Amazon’s application portal allows candidates to track their application and provides resources to support every stage of the journey.
Pro Tip: Tailor your resume to highlight specific achievements and metrics relevant to the role you’re applying for. For example, instead of stating "improved team efficiency," state "implemented process automation tools that increased team productivity by 30% and saved 20 hours of manual effort weekly." Focus on accomplishments over responsibilities to showcase the tangible impact of your work.
The initial screening and phone interviews
After submitting the application, your first interaction with an Amazon employee is often an initial screening. These phone interviews typically last 30 to 60 minutes and are designed to explore your professional background, your interest in Amazon, and how your skills align with the role. Recruiters also assess your understanding of Amazon’s Leadership Principles and, for technical roles, your technical expertise. Behavioural-based questions are commonly used, focusing on past situations and the actions you took to address them. Practice answering questions using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to structure your responses effectively.
Pro Tip: Choose a quiet space with a stable internet connection to ensure smooth communication. If you have questions about the role based on the job description, don’t hesitate to ask the recruiter for clarity or additional insights.
Amazon assessments: What you need to prepare for
Assessments help us identify the best talent by consistently measuring key skills required for success. Depending on the role, you may be asked to complete assessments during or after the application process. These are designed to be equitable and ensure every candidate has the same opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.
Amazon assessments include work style evaluations and work sample simulations. Work style assessments measure how your work preferences align with Amazon’s Leadership Principles. You may be asked to select between statements such as “I prefer clear structure” or “I enjoy learning new things”. Work sample simulations, which are longer and can last up to an hour, simulate tasks relevant to the job. They evaluate your problem-solving, prioritisation, multitasking, and decision-making skills through scenarios reflecting Amazon’s unique culture and values. Depending on the role, candidates may be asked to complete additional assessments. Writing samples, for example, test your clarity of thought and ability to communicate effectively. Technical roles often include specialised assessments to evaluate problem-solving skills, while some positions may require role-specific exercises tailored to the job’s responsibilities. These assessments are designed to highlight your alignment with the company’s expectations.
Pro Tip: For Software Development roles, you can review our Software Development Topics to help you prepare for technical evaluations and interviews. For all other roles, no advance preparation is required to complete the assessment. Just follow instructions carefully and allocate sufficient time to deliver your best performance.
Amazon interview loop: What to expect
The interview loop is a defining phase of Amazon’s hiring process, where you meet multiple interviewers, including hiring managers, team members, and stakeholders from related teams. One unique aspect is the Bar Raiser, an experienced interviewer tasked with maintaining high hiring standards. These interviews focus on behavioural-based questions and leverage the STAR method to assess your alignment with Amazon’s Leadership Principles.
Interviewing is a two-way door and the process should also enable you to evaluate if Amazon is a great fit. So, research for the role and the team you are interviewing for and ask meaningful questions to gain a clearer picture of how you can contribute to Amazon’s success while ensuring the role aligns with your career aspirations. Use this time to determine if Amazon’s culture and values resonate with your own.
For virtual interviews, download Amazon Chime, our video conferencing tool. If you plan to present during your interview, you’ll need to download Chime to your desktop. Login a few minutes earlier to get yourself familiarised with the tool and reach out to your scheduler in case of any issue.
Pro Tip: Use the Interview Ready Alexa skill to prepare anytime, anywhere. Simply say, "Alexa, make me Interview Ready" on any Alexa-enabled device to access key insights, training resources and answers to common questions about Amazon’s hiring process.
After the interview: Offers, next steps and reapplications
After completing your Amazon interview, you're probably eager to hear back about next steps. Here's what typically happens: Amazon recruiters aim to follow up within two business days after phone interviews and within five business days following panel interviews. If your interview was successful, you'll receive an offer with detailed next steps. Don't worry if things don't work out this time - many successful Amazon employees have taken multiple attempts before getting an offer letter. There is a six-month waiting period before you can re-apply for a role at Amazon and that time window gives allows you to build new skills and experiences. Stay on top of the communication cycle by regularly checking your email (including that spam folder!) and monitoring your application status through Amazon's candidate portal.
Whether you receive an offer or need to try again, every interview is a valuable learning experience. Take time to reflect on your responses, interactions, and overall performance. What stories resonated most strongly? Which technical questions challenged you? Understanding these aspects can strengthen your approach for future opportunities, whether at Amazon or elsewhere. Remember, persistence is key to landing your dream role. Keep refining your skills and building your experience so that you are prepared for the next opportunity.
Pro Tip: Stay engaged with Amazon’s culture and innovations by exploring resources like the About Amazon India and our Leadership Principles videos. This not only keeps you inspired but also prepares you for meaningful conversations during the hiring process.
Good luck in finding the right role for you!
