If you’re getting ready for an Amazon interview, it’s important to go in with a clear plan. Amazon’s hiring process is focused on fairness and clarity—not trick questions. You won’t face brain teasers or puzzles. Instead, you’ll be asked to share real stories about your past experiences. Amazon wants to understand how you think, how you solve problems, and how you align with their Leadership Principles.
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To help you get ready for a successful career at Amazon, here’s a complete list of proven tips—from Amazon recruiters and hiring managers—to guide you through every step of the process.
1. Learn Amazon’s Culture and Leadership Principles
Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles are at the heart of how they hire and work. They guide decisions, drive innovation, and define success. Learn them inside out. Pick the principles that connect most with your own values and prepare stories that show how you’ve used them in your previous roles.
Amazon’s Leadership Principles:
- Customer Obsession
- Ownership
- Invent and Simplify
- Are Right, A Lot
- Learn and Be Curious
- Hire and Develop the Best
- Insist on the Highest Standards
- Think Big
- Bias for Action
- Frugality
- Earn Trust
- Dive Deep
- Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
- Deliver Results
- Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer
- Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility
Also, take time to understand Amazon’s business. Look beyond what you see on the homepage. Learn about their services, recent projects, and industry challenges. Connect with current or former Amazonians for insights into the company’s expectations and work style.
2. Get Ready for Behavioral Interview Questions
Amazon job interviews are centered around behavioral questions. These questions focus on how you’ve handled real-life situations at work. Study the job description and think of examples that match the role’s responsibilities.
Recruiters recommend using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, and Result—to answer these questions. Build out your stories using this format, making sure to explain what happened, what you were responsible for, what steps you took, and how it all turned out. Practice your answers out loud, either in the mirror or with a friend, so they feel natural during the interview.
3. Be Specific and Use Real Numbers
One common mistake is giving vague answers. Interviewers want you to go deep. Share one detailed story per question, including data, metrics, and outcomes. If you led a team to increase sales, say by how much. If you launched a new feature, share the results. Specifics matter.
4. Highlight Your Personal Contribution
Use “I” instead of “we” when describing what you did. While teamwork is important, interviews are about your personal impact. Show what you brought to the table, how you solved problems, and how you drove results.
5. Be Honest About Failures
Don’t avoid stories where things didn’t go as planned. Amazon values people who take smart risks and learn from failure. Be prepared to share what didn’t work, what you learned, and how you handled the situation. Growth from mistakes is a sign of a strong candidate.
6. Know Why You Want to Work at Amazon
Interviewers will likely ask, “Why Amazon?” Avoid generic answers. Talk about how the company’s mission, culture, or specific projects connect with your own goals. Show how you plan to grow while also adding value to the team.
7. Ask for Clarification When Needed
It’s okay to ask questions during the interview. If something isn’t clear, don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to explain. Amazon encourages curiosity, and asking thoughtful questions shows you care about giving the best possible answer.
8. Brush Up on Your Writing Skills
Amazon values clear writing. In many roles, you might be asked for a writing sample. Instead of slide presentations, teams write memos that are read silently during meetings. If you’re applying to a role that may involve written communication, practice writing clearly about goals, outcomes, and ideas.
9. Be Ready for Phone Screens and Multiple Rounds
The process usually includes a phone screen and several interviews with different team members. Interviewers may include hiring managers, peers, cross-functional partners, and a “Bar Raiser”—a neutral party who helps ensure hiring quality. Take notes, stay organized, and bring a pen to write down important points or follow-up questions.
10. Prepare and Practice with STAR Stories
The STAR format is more than just helpful—it’s expected. Create a set of 5–7 strong stories that can apply to different Leadership Principles. Practice saying them out loud so you’re comfortable switching them up based on the question asked. Keep your stories focused, clear, and results-driven.
11. Research Amazon’s Culture
Amazon has a fast-moving, customer-obsessed culture. Read up on their values, workplace style, and expectations to make sure it’s a place where you’ll thrive. Understanding their culture also helps you tailor your answers during the interview.
12. Show Problem-Solving, Leadership, and Adaptability
Demonstrate how you’ve tackled tough challenges, made smart decisions, and influenced others to get results. Speak clearly and with confidence. Show that you’re flexible and ready to learn—especially in fast-changing environments.
Amazon looks for builders, leaders, and problem-solvers. Be ready to share who you are, what you’ve done, and how you think. Focus on clarity, honesty, and impact. The more you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel. Good luck—you’ve got this!