An in-depth guide about how to prepare to answer Amazon interview questions from two ex-Amazon hiring managers (and one Bar Raiser).
This guide will show you how to prepare for behavioural interview questions at Amazon. Our recommendations are based on our experience with thousands of candidate interviews and coaching sessions (both while we were at Amazon and after starting Day One Careers).
At the end of this guide, we offer a vetted Amazon interview questions list, but we encourage you to read through the entire guide. While we cannot guarantee that you will get a job, following this guide will increase your chances of landing the offer.
Evgeny Bik and Gayle Gallagher (GG), co-founders of Day One Careers, wrote this guide. GG spent five years at Amazon as a senior leader in Prime Video and Amazon Fresh in the UK. Evgeny spent over three years at Amazon as a senior leader in Amazon Launchpad and Amazon Devices in Europe. In addition, GG and Evgeny were Hiring Managers and interviewers for their teams and partner organizations.
In addition, GG was a qualified Amazon Bar Raiser – an independent decision-maker with veto power over the hiring manager in the Amazon interview process. GG and Evgeny had careers in multi-national Tech, FMCG and Retail companies before joining Amazon.
Finally, after leaving Amazon, Evgeny spent one year at Apple as an eCommerce lead in IMMEA (Apples developing markets organization).
We created Day One Careers to provide everyone with expert Amazon interview preparation resources. Were incredibly proud of our free and paid resources, and we encourage you to explore our blog and YouTube channel for more expert guidance.
You can check out our LinkedIn profiles if youd like to learn more about our career paths: GGs profile and Evgenys profile.
Amazon Case Study
Amazon Case Study Interview: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re interviewing for a business role at Amazon, there is a good chance that you’ll receive at least one case study interview, also known as an Amazon case interview. Amazon roles that include case study interviews as part of the interview process include:
To land an Amazon job offer, you’ll need to crush every single one of your case interviews. While Amazon case study interviews may seem ambiguous and challenging, know that they can be mastered with proper preparation.
If you are preparing for an upcoming Amazon case interview, we have you covered. In this comprehensive Amazon case interview guide, we’ll cover:
What is an Amazon Case Study Interview?
Amazon case study interviews, also known as Amazon case interviews, are 20- to 30-minute exercises in which you are placed in a hypothetical business situation and are asked to find a solution or make a recommendation.
First, you’ll create a framework that shows the approach you would take to solve the case. Then, you’ll collaborate with the interviewer, answering a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions that will give you the information and data needed to develop an answer. Finally, you’ll deliver your recommendation at the end of the case.
Case interviews have traditionally been used by consulting firms to assess a candidate’s potential to become a successful consultant. However, now a days, many companies with ex-consultants use case studies to assess a candidate’s capabilities. Since Amazon has so many former consultants in its business roles, you’ll likely encounter at least one case study interview.
The business problems that you’ll be given in an Amazon case study interview will likely be real challenges that Amazon faces today:
Depending on what team at Amazon you are interviewing for, you may be given a business problem that is relevant to that specific team.
Although there is a wide range of business problems you could possibly be given in your Amazon case interview, the fundamental case interview strategies to solve each problem is the same. If you learn the right strategies and get enough practice, you’ll be able to solve any Amazon case study interview.
How to Answer Amazon Interview Questions
While you could just jump into the fray, memorize a few Amazon interview questions, and be done with it, that’s not the best way to go about things. Sure, you might be ready to handle specific questions. But, if something unexpected comes up, you might be caught flatfooted. No one wants that.
With the right techniques and overall strategy, you can face off against unanticipated questions. Now, exactly how you need to prepare can and will be a bit nuanced. After all, there is a slew of positions at Amazon, and each one involves something different.
How do you make sure you’re ready for YOUR Amazon interview?
Start by reading the job description for the position. In that handful of paragraphs, you’ll find a ton of specific, actionable information about what the hiring manager is looking for in a perfect candidate.
For example, the list of must-have skills you find on most job descriptions reflects their priorities. Those keywords or qualities you see over and over? Yeah, those fall into that category, too.
Without a doubt, you can expect to have to speak about your capabilities in those areas, so reflect on your abilities and think about relevant examples from your work history that you can describe. That way, you can discuss your capabilities with ease.
Now, you may be headed for an interview at a traditional department store. If you’re curious about what those interview questions look like, head over to our articles on Kohl’s or Best Buy. Otherwise, here’s how to prepare for behavioral questions at Amazon!
How to Solve Amazon Case Study
Solving Amazon case study questions is not difficult if you know how to approach them. Here are strategies for solving Amazon case study questions:
Before you attempt to answer any case before you, you should understand it well. The interview will start with the interviewer intimating you on a situation. The interviewer will start with the background information on the case, where you have to be attentive. Follow the scenario and note all the points. Ensure that you understand the situational context and the objective of the case. Know the essence of the information.
You are at liberty to ask questions to clarify any part that is unclear to you. You can summarize the story to the interviewer to ascertain that you understand what you are meant to understand. The essence is to ensure that you grasp the objective of the situation. Understanding the case is essential to passing the test because it will guide you in answering the intended question.
Once the interviewer has narrated the case to you, you have to organize every bit of the information to enable you to answer the questions logically. It is like developing a framework for answering the question. At this point, you have to brainstorm on the case before you. Note your ideas and then organize them logically.
At the brainstorming stage, your ideas may not be organized. You are at liberty to ask the interviewer to give you some minutes. Then you organize your thoughts and ideas in order. Categorize your ideas and arrange them accordingly.
When you are done, intimate the interviewer with your ideas and framework. The interviewer may offer some advice, ask questions, and give you feedback. This aspect is essential because it tells you how well aligned you are with the whole case before you.
Now that you are sure you are on track, you can start answering the question. Using your framework, you will start attending to the different aspects of the case. The process of answering the question will depend on whether the interviewer is leading the interview or the candidate is leading it. If the interviewer is leading the interview, he will tell you the aspect of your framework to start working from.
If the interview is candidate-led, you can decide the aspect of your framework to start working from. You will give reasons why you have chosen to start from that angle. At this stage, you should not bother with starting wrong. There is no straightjacket approach to solving the case.
The case study question may have a quantitative angle to it. For example, you may be asked a question that involves figures and estimates. You can start solving the problem with mathematical calculations.
The Amazon cases study question may involve qualitative questions. For example, you may be asked questions involving a business situation and asked to proffer a solution or provide your opinion on a critical business situation. Answering this question involves a structural and careful arrangement of your ideas. State your approach and justify that approach. Then, go ahead to solve the problem following your approach.
At this point, you should round off your answers, summarize your points, and tender recommendations. You should give reasons for your recommendations. You can also include further actions or steps you would have taken if you had more data and time. They can cover aspects of your framework that you have not developed fully due to time or some questions that you did not answer in-depth.
As stated already, Amazon case study questions are meant to test your problem-solving skills. The interviewer will ask you questions based on actual situations to determine your suitability for the job. Among others, they look out for your business acumen, communication, and leadership skills. Here is a possible case:
Case question: The company wants to acquire a small business and aspire to improve net profits from $3,000 to $6,000 within a month. How do you think we can achieve this?
For a question like this, the focus is on your mindset as a business analyst, thinking capacity, and business acumen. They want to know your mindset, whether positive or negative. It is easy for some people to think that it is impossible to double profit in a month. Your answer should include a positive statement on how much this is positive.
Then you will talk about the strategies that can make this possible. The company can achieve a doubling profit within a month using effective marketing and acquisition points and diligence. First off, the company should be diligent in choosing a business to acquire. Contrary to many business acquisition models that look at the business’s yearly growth or how lucrative the market for the business niche is, the company should go for a growing business. If the business grows by 5% monthly, it will make a positive purchase.
Then, the company has to consider the business’s branding. If it has a strong market presence, then Amazon’s marketing strategy will have a springboard to scale from. If the business is growing, there is the possibility of making more than triple the net profit in the third month because the growth would bring in more profit.
Other essential points to consider when looking to get a good deal are low competition, positive reviews, and the quick wins the business promises. Also, analyze every aspect of the business and ensure that it passes the test.
The company’s marketing skills will set the company on a high speed to rake in more profit. You can discuss the impact of marketing skills like media coverage, ads, promos, and so on. This response shows you are passionate about the company’s expansion, but you are also diligent and look out for the company’s positive move.
FAQ
What are the questions asked in Amazon interview?
- What would you do if you found out your closest friend at work was stealing? …
- Describe your most difficult customer and how you handled it. …
- Tell me about a time you were 75 percent through a project and had to pivot quickly. …
- Behavioral questions. …
- Leadership questions.
Does Amazon do case studies?
How do you prepare for a case interview?
- Listen to the interviewer and ask questions. …
- Structure the problem and form a framework. …
- Think before speaking. …
- Focus on high-impact issues. …
- Generate a hypothesis and explore options creatively. …
- Demonstrate business judgment. …
- Make quick and accurate calculations.
What are case questions in an interview?
