Amazon Program Manager interviews are really challenging. The questions are difficult, specific to Amazon, and cover a wide range of topics.
The good news is that getting ready well can help you get a job as a program manager at Amazon (or AWS). To help you get there, we’ve put together the ultimate guide below.
Ace your Amazon Program Manager interview with this comprehensive guide!
Landing a program manager role at Amazon is a dream for many aspiring professionals. But with a notoriously challenging interview process it’s crucial to be well-prepared. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to confidently tackle your interview and impress your potential employer.
Understanding the Amazon Interview Process
The interview process for an Amazon program manager is a long one that usually lasts between four and eight weeks. It involves:
- Resume screen: Your resume gets reviewed for alignment with the open position.
- Recruiter phone screen: You’ll discuss your background and suitability for the role.
- Amazon writing exercise: You may be asked to write an essay or complete a numerical test.
- First-round interview: You’ll answer behavioral and program management questions, focusing on Amazon’s Leadership Principles.
- Onsite interview: This full-day virtual session involves five separate interviews with peers, managers, and senior executives.
Key Insights from the Documents
Document 1: Amazon Program Manager Interview Prep
- This document provides a detailed overview of the interview process, including the different stages and what to expect in each.
- It emphasizes the importance of understanding and demonstrating Amazon’s Leadership Principles throughout the interview.
- The document also offers valuable tips on how to prepare for each stage of the interview process.
Document 2 Amazon Program Manager Interview (Questions and Prep)
- This document provides a comprehensive list of program manager interview questions, categorized into three types: behavioral, program management, and role-specific.
- It offers detailed explanations and examples for each type of question, helping you understand what interviewers are looking for.
- The document also provides insights into the specific skills and experience that Amazon values in program managers.
Preparing for Your Interview
1. Mastering the Leadership Principles
Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles are the cornerstone of their culture and decision-making. Understanding and demonstrating these principles is crucial for success in your interview.
2. Practicing Behavioral Questions:
Behavioral questions are designed to assess your past experiences and how you’ve applied the Leadership Principles in real-world situations. Prepare stories that showcase your problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and commitment to customer obsession.
3. Understanding Program Management Concepts:
Brush up on your knowledge of program management processes, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing projects and programs across various stages.
4. Researching the Role and Company:
Demonstrate your knowledge of the specific program manager role you’re applying for and the company’s overall mission and values. This shows your genuine interest and preparedness.
5. Practicing Mock Interviews:
Simulate the interview experience by practicing with a friend, colleague, or career coach. This will help you refine your answers, build confidence, and identify areas for improvement.
Additional Resources:
- Amazon Leadership Principles: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles
- Program Management Institute (PMI): https://www.pmi.org/
- Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Amazon-Program-Manager-Interview-Questions-EI_IE22802.0,5_KO7,20.htm
Remember:
- Be confident and enthusiastic.
- Showcase your passion for program management and Amazon’s mission.
- Highlight your problem-solving skills and leadership abilities.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Leadership Principles.
- Ask thoughtful questions to show your genuine interest.
With thorough preparation and a positive attitude, you’ll be well-equipped to ace your Amazon program manager interview and land your dream job!
How to prepare
Now that you know what questions to expect, lets focus on how to prepare. Here are three things you should do to get ready for a job as a program manager at Amazon or Amazon Web Services. For extra tips, take a look at our guide to program manager interview prep.
3 Role-specific questions (6%)
Amazon program manager interviews tend to focus on the two areas weve just covered above. But not every job at Amazon as a program manager is the same, so you should also read the job description and any other information you can find about the role.
Youll want to be prepared to speak knowledgeably about the functional area where youd be working. Your interviewers may also ask you a few technical questions to see how much you know and how well you can talk about technical details if the job is in a technical area or if you will be working closely with engineers.
Below youll find several example questions that you can practice with. These are all real interview questions for an Amazon program manager that we got from Glassdoor. We changed some of the words to make them clearer and more correct.
These example questions are focused on technical topics, specific products, or functional areas. When you start practicing for interviews, you should change the questions below to fit a product or topic that is related to the job you want.
Example role-specific / technical questions asked by Amazon.
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to fix a computer problem.
- Describe the hardest project you’ve worked on and give technical details and skills.
- Could you develop chemical programs for Amazon?
You may also be asked to demonstrate skills with tools that are relevant to the role. For example, you may be asked to demonstrate Excel VLOOKUP functions, pivot tables, or SQL queries.
If you want to get more practice with technical questions, you might want to read our separate guide for the Amazon technical program manager interview.
Amazon Program Manager Interview Questions with Answer Examples
FAQ
How many rounds of interview for program manager in Amazon?
How do I prepare for a Programme manager interview?
What does an Amazon program manager do?
How many rounds is an Amazon manager interview?
How does Amazon interview a program manager?
Amazon’s program manager interview process heavily focuses on assessing whether you live and breathe the company’s 16 Leadership Principles. The main way Amazon tests this is with behavioral questions, which you’ll be asked in every interview. In case you’re not familiar with Amazon’s Leadership Principles, let’s quickly run through them:
How many Amazon Program Manager interview questions are there?
625 Amazon Program Manager interview questions and 564 interview reviews. Free interview details posted anonymously by Amazon interview candidates.
How difficult are Amazon Program Manager interviews?
Amazon Program Manager interviews are really challenging. The questions are difficult, specific to Amazon, and cover a wide range of topics. The good news is that the right preparation can make a big difference and can help you land a job as a program manager at Amazon (or AWS). To help you get there, we’ve put together the ultimate guide below.
What questions are asked in the Amazon Technical Program Manager interview?
You may also be asked to demonstrate skills with tools that are relevant to the role. For example, you may be asked to demonstrate Excel VLOOKUP functions, pivot tables, or SQL queries. If you’d like to get additional practice with technical questions, consider reading our separate guide for the Amazon technical program manager interview.
