Hello Everyone, 

Ever since I posted about my offer with Amazon, I have been asked a LOT about the interview process and how to prepare. So, I thought I could post a comprehensive guide for the process. Please be advised that I will not be covering the basics of leadership principles, STAR format and loop interview process in this post. This is a more in depth post about the actual process and some nuances that are not available online. 

1. HR Phone Screen: This is the first round of the interview process with an Amazon recruiter on call. The recruiter will mostly ask basic questions about your resume and experience and pass you on to the next round if they think you are a good fit. I had two different experiences in this round. For the position I got hired for, the recruiter said I don’t need to do the HR phone screen since she thought I was a good fit already. In another instance, I had the HR phone screen but the recruiter ghosted me. So it is hit or miss. On paper, Amazon has a 48-hour response time promise for this round. 

2. Technical Phone Screen: I got a little lucky in this round because the interviewer was informed late and she asked questions from the top of her head. Even then, it was really technical, asking about my workflows, thought processes and experience with various software. I have been told horror stories of intense technical grilling, especially by SDE roles. So I would highly suggest preparing well. I used ChatGPT for this purpose. Some of my prompts were:

   1. I am interviewing for <job posting link> with <interviewer linkedin link> on a technical phone screen. What kind of questions can I expect?

   2. I am interviewing for <job posting link> with <interviewer linkedin link> on a technical phone screen. <job description line> is a core responsibility. What kind of questions can I expect? On paper, Amazon has a 48-hour response time promise for this round.

3. Recruiter Counselling Call: If you pass the technical phone screen, the recruiter will schedule what I call as a counselling call with you. They will discuss the loop structure, STAR format and leadership principles (LPS). There is a good chance they might tell you what leadership principles (out of Amazon’s 14) and technical competencies (TCs) will be needed for this role. 

4. The Loop: Amazon loop interview is basically a panel 4-6 interviewers with each one given an hour to test you on LPs and TCs associated with the role. The hiring manager assigns LPs & TCs to each interviewer to test your abilities. Here is a typical amazon interview panel:

   1. Hiring Manager

   2. Bar Raiser: From a completely different team, has veto power to overturn the panel’s hiring decision

   3. Cross-Functional Stakeholder

   4. Teammates/Peers

   5. Management Personnel

This is how I would prepare for my loop if I were to do it all over again, assuming I am confident about the job description expectations. My prompts to ChatGPT were:I am interviewing for the role of <job posting link> with Amazon. <linkedin profile link> is a loop interviewer. What kind of questions can I expect?

I am interviewing for the role of <job posting link> with Amazon. The LPs & TCs associated are _____. What questions can I expect?

Get creative with prompts. Use multiple AI agents. It’s all worth it, the more the better. Amazon expects all answers in STAR format unless specifically said “scenario based question”. STAR is basically a Situation-Task-Action-Result format. The time I recommend for each answer is 6-10 minutes, with a 20-20-40-20 split. Amazon has a 5-day response time promise for this round and I heard back on day 4. 

Personal Advise:

1. Make at least 15-20 STAR format stories. Match LPs to stories, not the other way around. One story can be associated with multiple LPs. 

2. I recommend not repeating stories within the loop BUT I did repeat two stories twice and I was okay. 

3. Don’t be nervous, but at the same time don’t make small talk unless reciprocated. Interviewers are very formal and serious at Amazon. They are trained to do so. 

4. Carry a single page notes sheet with summary of all stories. 

5. Use as many numbers as possible. 

6. Ask ChatGPT to review, rate and polish all your STAR format answers. Repeat this for every answer until ChatGPT rates it 4.5 or above.

Hi All,

I have an upcoming interview at Amazon, and I've been researching the structure and expectations of the loop round. I understand it will primarily focus on Amazon's leadership principles.

I have a couple of questions:

1. What is the ideal length of time to structure an answer using the STAR format ?

2. Is it recommended that notes or memos be included for answers during the interview?

I would appreciate any insights or advice you could share.

Edit - The role is a Business analyst role (Non tech)

How did you feel about your preparation? Were you highly confident?

Hi, did anyone go through an Amazon interview for supply chain management? I have a phone interview tomorrow and wanted to get some advice. Also super anxious! TIA ❤️

Update: I passed my phone interview and now taking my loop interview! Any tips? I also have a written exercise given it’s a L5/L6 interview. I will be studying the LP religiously and make 1-2 STAR examples for each one. Thank you all for the tips.

I applied for an Amazon position in Seattle and today got two emails, one asking me to schedule a phone interview and another asking me to schedule a call with a recruiter before scheduling a phone interview. Is this normal? What should I expect from the recruiter call? I’m not a strong interviewer but I want this job (over 200 applications since September and this is only my second interview request) so this has me super nervous, any advice is appreciated!

edit/update: The recruiter call was a LOT of info about the job, and some helpful tips about the interview, what they’re looking for. The first virtual interview included a LOT of questions about times I’d failed, assuming they wanted what I learned from it. I apparently succeeded, as I’ve now been invited to the final round which includes a call with a different recruiter and then a ‘virtual onsite’ with 3-4 interviews in one day

How many questions and what type of questions the hiring manager usually ask for the vendor manager role ?

Obviously you can’t mention anything about the money, prestige, or benefits while answering this question. And I feel like saying your values align with the company is so cliche. How would you go about answering this question?

ROUND 1 (30min LP + 30min coding + 2min questions)
The interviewer informed me that this round would consist of two parts: the first half would focus on Leadership Principles (LP), and the second half would be a coding challenge. The LP round went well, and soon, I moved on to the coding part. The problem was similar to detecting a cycle in a graph. I began by explaining my approach, thinking out loud. To my surprise, the interviewer asked me to code the entire solution first and review it later. This caught me off guard, and for a moment, I felt unsettled. When I finally started coding, my mind went blank. However, I decided to take small steps and began coding the parts I was confident about. Gradually, I managed to piece together an almost correct solution. Next, I started the dry run. After testing the code with basic cases, I was convinced it was correct. But then, the interviewer introduced a test case that was completely unexpected—and my solution failed.

At that point, I thought I had bombed the interview. Time was running out, and I was feeling the pressure. Suddenly, it struck me that removing a specific if condition would make my code handle the edge case the interviewer had mentioned.(I was considering undirected graph instead of directed graph). I quickly implemented the fix and explained my reasoning just as the time ran out. I left the interview feeling uncertain. I was able to code a working solution, but there was still a lingering doubt in my mind if I had done everything correctly. Overall the interviewer was good.

ROUND 2 (28min LP + 31min coding + 3min questions) (Probably Bar-Raiser)
This round followed immediately after the previous one, with the same format. However, this time the LP (Leadership Principles) questions were very challenging. The interviewer delved deeply into the details of each situation—so much so that, at one point, even I couldn’t remember what I had done! To prepare for the LP section, I had revisited stories from my past experiences. I didn’t want to risk creating fake stories, as I’m not good at that. The interviewer maintained a completely neutral expression throughout, which added to the stress. As if that wasn’t enough, the noise cancellation on my earbuds suddenly turned off, signalling that the battery was low. I quickly switched to speaker mode mid-conversation. At one point, the interviewer even mentioned that he couldn’t understand what I was trying to convey—another moment where I felt like I was bombing the interview.

Somehow, I managed to get through all the LP questions and finally moved on to the coding portion. By this time, I was already feeling a bit nervous. When the problem was presented, it was a bit different from any standard LeetCode problem I had seen. The question had two parts, and the interviewer instructed me to solve the first part first. I tackled it, did a dry run, and explained why it could be represented as a recursion problem.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, the interviewer asked me to solve the more complex part of the problem. It took me a few moments to come up with a solution. While thinking aloud, I explained my thought process to the interviewer. After some back-and-forth discussion, I finally arrived at the correct solution and performed a quick dry run—with just one minute to spare! The interviewer seemed satisfied with my solution.

At the end of the interview, I asked about their work. For the first time, I saw him smiling. I also asked a specific question about one of the AWS services, which led to good discussion for next 5 minutes. I think I nailed the technical part in this one. Overall, the interviewer seemed to be very experienced and he could put anyone in stress during interview.

ROUND 3 (18min LP + 40min Coding + 3min questions)
By this time, I was feeling nervous but still confident as last technical was good. Next interviewer was very friendly. He actually eased all the stress I had from the previous round. The LP (Leadership Principles) part was relatively straightforward and took about 18 minutes to complete. He seem to have like some of the experience I shared.

This was the Low-Level Design (LLD) round for the coding part, and the question I received was very similar to design a Hotel Management System or LRU cache with two specific methods to implement(add and remove). I asked few questions to get idea of how much complexity I need to handle. I started with a naive approach, using a list for the implementation. Then, I explained how adding a cache (using a hashmap) could reduce the remove operation's time complexity to O(1).

Gradually, I refined the solution to achieve O(1) complexity for both required features by incorporating a Doubly Linked List. At this stage, I had implemented only the necessary classes, planning to add methods as needed. I was writing code in python so for every class I would write pass keyword. Sometimes I add a class I would need but immediately decide to remove it. Basically, I was talking to myself out loud. I also justified my choice for eg why Doubly Linked List over a Singly Linked List.

While coding, I mentioned alternative approaches I might consider in the future. The interview initially told me to keep the design simple, but still seem to like that I am thinking it from reusability and scalability perspective. For instance, designing these classes in a way that they wouldn't depend on any specific data structure by applying strategy design pattern. Although I didn’t implement this during the interview, I thoroughly explained the idea.

When I finished, the interviewer remarked that my explanation and design choices was quite good. Finally, when asked if I had any questions, I inquired about the work he is doing at Amazon. Overall, the interview was very friendly. It felt like it was discussion rather than an interview.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m currently waiting for the results. In my opinion, the interview went well, apart from a few hiccups. I promise to share more about my background and how I prepared for the interview(I have did months of grinding). I won’t be sharing the exact questions due to their policy against doing so(I don't want to risk it, this is very few option I have). However, I can say that the questions were fairly standard. I feel lucky not to have any twisted questions in LP and for coding. 

My final advice: practice for interviews, especially for situations where you might be asked unexpected, out-of-the-blue questions. Even if the questions are simple, you could mess up due to pressure.

OPTIONAL TO READ
Being an international student makes this even more challenging. For me, Amazon is one of the very few options(I know outcomes of FAANG can be based a lot on luck and can lead to misery when you put so much grinding into it. But right now I am betting everything on "hope"). Many other companies rejected me because they were seeking candidates with 4+ years of experience for a new grad role.(This was reason for one of rejection I had after an amazing interview). The current job market is tough, I want to get free of this loop and actually work on some of the ideas I have in technology. I’ve learned so much from this community, which is why I decided to write this detailed post—to hopefully help at least one person who is in a situation similar to mine.

Edit 1 : Got the offer from Amazon and accepted it !!

Edit 2 : Detailed preparation
https://www.reddit.com/r/leetcode/comments/1h5d3bc/a_detailed_guide_on_how_i_prepared_for_an/

Long story short. Had an initial call for 1 hour, then 5, 1 hour interviews each on behavioural questions. Answered them to the best of my ability using their BS star method and then once the rejection call came in it’s just a few seconds. No feedback whatsoever. I’m so pissed they let it go this long rather than giving an initial response. Bunch of idiots!

So when I frame my answers for the behavioral/leadership-principle questions, I'm not going to know explicitly what leadership principle they're asking about (I'll have to gauge from the question, right?). But what is the point of reading the leadership principles and having stories that tie into each if they're not explicitly quizzing you on them? Like couldn't anyone answer a question like "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer"? (Sorry if this comes off weird, genuinely asking! I might be thinking into it too much 😅).

I'm worried that in my head, I'll think they're asking one leadership principle and I'll talk about a story that is applicable to that, but their question ends up to actually be referring to another leadership principle. Like how do I approach this? How are they testing my answer to see if it aligns with whatever leadership principle they have in mind? For example, if it seems like the question is referring to the Ownership leadership principle, should I say things in my answer like "I am dedicated to supporting my team and contributing wherever needed, even if it falls outside of my area of expertise"? (Sorry if this is a bad example, hope you get what I'm trying to ask). I'm just not sure what they're looking for in my answers and it's stressing me out (I know how to answer in STAR format and I understand that whatever situation they ask, I need to try and make my story look like I "raise the bar" in whatever situation I talked about).

Any extra insight will be so appreciated.

I know people love to groan about Amazon’s hiring process as being rigorous, unforgiving, and exhausting.

But as someone who has applied to tons of jobs and been rejected for prejudicial reasons or been part of a process that was heavy with bias, I truly appreciate that Amazon’s process is engineered to eliminate as much subjectivity as possible.

The questions aren’t about your “technical” skills (obviously technical roles will have technical questions and system design), but they’re about principles that you have demonstrated in your career and how you think. Even the strategic decision to ask questions related to LPs and not skills is designed to filter out jargon and ‘tell me what you did in your last role’ and focus more on impact and thoughtful decision making.

In a world where people get rejected for jobs because of any number of pointless reasons, how could you not appreciate a company that does it the right way?

Was it difficult? YES. But it wasn’t gratuitously difficult. Not like one time when my wife got an interview and they asked her to pull up any app on her phone and demo the app to them. A modern version of “sell me this pen”, I guess. Or when I’m asked to do a mock presentation with vague requirements and when I ask for clarity, I get told it’s “intentionally ambiguous.” Amazon is smart enough to know that shit doesn’t reveal anything useful about a candidate.

So cheers to Amazon for at least trying to get it right. 🥂 🍻

Yes, I received verbal confirmation that I’ll be getting an offer for a Sr. CSM role (L5 I believe). I’ll find out comp on Monday.

I was told that I received overwhelmingly positive feedback and that I have a great future ahead at Amazon 🥲🥲

Yes, your behavioral matters A LOT. Amazon takes their Leadership Principles very seriously. Grind them like Leetcode.

Yes, Amazon will let you move internships off-season. Communicate with your recruiter and not us.

Yes, you can interview for one position and be offered another. This is most commonly seen with their BIE internships.

No, Amazon doesn’t care if you renege. If you have a better offer, DO IT.

No, we are NOT the Amazon portal, we have no idea when you will get a response or if you got the offer.

Yes, Amazon’s interview process is unpredictable and random. Some people will get asked LC easies, some hards. There is literally no 100% way to predict what type you’ll get, as it’s interviewer dependent. Just go through their list on LC for best prep.

Yes you can be rejected after having a flawless interview. Again, Amazon is random.

Yes, if you’re an (URM) freshman or sophomore apply to the regular SWE internship and NOT APP. If you don’t get the regular SWE internship, they’ll defer you to APP, and you have a high chance of securing it anyway. Edit: Apply to both.

Yes, Amazon is the easiest FAANG to get into. Many tech recruiters are (honestly) clueless and will see a FAANG company, and not it’s hiring bar when looking at your resume.

Yes, when someone says they work at a FAANG company, they mean Amazon.

No, as an intern you won’t have poor WLB. YMMV as a new grad / regular employee though.

Yes, Amazon is still “prestigious.” No one outside of this sub and Blind is going to clown you for having an Amazon internship.

Yes, Amazon is a (if not the biggest) feeder company for other FAANGs and Big N’s. Comb through LinkedIn, and notice the reoccurring pattern of people first working at Amazon before getting into Google, Facebook, Microsoft etc.

Yes, Amazon’s bananas are really good, and yes, they are the only intern perks they give you (unless you count the free MAC chargers). Their insane intern pay makes up for it though.

Random Miscellaneous Information:

Good housing options (if your internship is in WA) are Cornish Commons, Seattle University, University of Washington (goated), the M, and of course subleases / Airbnbs.

If you are in the office, make sure to grab the free MAC chargers and other free IT stuff they give you. My friend got 21 free chargers, and sold them each for a profit.

Good day everyone. How many minutes is ideal for an answer? Sometimes, I wonder if my answers are too short or too long and I want to ensure the interviewer doesn’t get bored too. This is for the initial question before the interviewer’s follow up questions based on yur response.

I’ll be in the comments please. Every response is appreciated. 🙏🏾

Lots of companies are emulating the Amazon way of having leadership principles and every interview needs the interviewee to regurgitate leadership principles as though they have implemented these principles right from popping out of the womb.

Isn't an interview supposed to be where the prospect can be creative, authentic, discuss new ideas and bring fresh perspectives to a role or a company?

I don't understand why the interview process has become so mechanical, give an answer exactly what they want to hear, often needing to manufacture answers to game the system.

I'm so sick of these cookie cutter interview questions.

Hey guys! I have my loop interview for SDE 1 at Amazon in 3 days.
Can any one tell me if they ask cross questions for the behavioral part after we tell them our answer? if so then how much in depth?
Everyone online suggests that we should bring atleast 15-20 stories to answer behavioral questions. Since, I lack experience, I am facing problem to create real stories of my own.

Update: Rejected (But I appreciate all the help from you guys)

EDIT: Thanks for the insight - seems there is typically no interview but there's been some great tips on focusing on Amazon's Leadership Principles. Appreciate you all!

For those of who who work for Amazon, looking for tips to ace an interview. Would love to hear from people who've been through the process:

• What questions did they ask you?

• What answers worked well?

• What do they really care about in candidates?

• Any tips that helped you land the job?

Thanks in advance!