TOP 11 AMAZON Interview Questions & ANSWERS for 2021!
1. Can you describe yourmost difficult customer and how you were able to handle their needs?
Amazon rose to greatness partially because of its commitment to customer service. It made the shopping experience better, even when something didn’t go right.
If the job is even remotely customer-facing, you should be ready for this question. Dealing with a disgruntled customer isn’t easy, and Amazon wants to know that you’re up to the challenge.
SAMPLE ANSWER:
7. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit Interview Questions
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, it’s important to understand that talking about your skills is only one part of the equation. You also need to be ready for Amazon behavioral interview questions.
Amazon adores behavioral interview questions. Usually, it’s because of the belief that past behavior indicates future success. Plus, it gives them clues about a candidate’s personality and behavioral traits, as well as how well a person aligns with the company’s core leadership principles (more about that in a moment).
Some of these can be a little tricky, but when handled properly, behavioral interview questions are also chances to shine. Begin by embracing the STAR Method. With that, you can take a boring response and carefully polish it into a captivating answer. Couple that with the Tailoring Method, and you have an approach that focuses on personalization, customizing your responses to the role and company.
By bringing both methodologies together, you can demonstrate your value clearly. Plus, you’ll have an easier time connecting with the hiring manager, and that could boost your odds of success.
As mentioned above, Amazon uses its core leadership principles as a guide when developing questions. The goal is to ensure that anyone working from Amazon has similar values and will align with the broader mission. The Amazon leadership principles include:
- Customer Obsession
- Ownership
- Invent and Simplify
- Leaders 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
No matter the role you’re trying to land, it’s wise to assume that some of the questions you’ll face will touch on these concepts. For example, employees at any level may encounter questions like the following:
- How do you demonstrate your customer obsession?
- Describe how you take ownership of your responsibilities and results
- Talk about a time you innovated on the job.
- What steps do you take to simplify processes?
- What does frugality in the workplace mean to you, and how do you demonstrate a commitment to frugality?
In most cases, the best way to prepare for these questions is to actively study the Amazon leadership principles. That way, you’re familiar with all of the concepts, making it easier to speak to those values and priorities when you prepare interview answers.
Alright, let’s take stock. Right now, you have a winning strategy for answering Amazon interview questions. That’s a great foundation.
But, having clear examples can also help. It lets you review questions you may face and see how to put the tips above to work. We aren’t going to leave you hanging.
Here are the top 3 Amazon interview questions you could encounter when meeting with the hiring manager, along with tips for answering them.
