Amazon

Applying and interviewing at Amazon

Where do I go to learn more about Amazon's interview process?

Visit Interviewing at Amazon to learn about each step of the application and interview process with us, from completing the online application to preparing for phone and in-person interviews. To learn more about our warehouse and Fulfillment Center associate positions, please visit amazondelivers.jobs.

What's Amazon's interview process and how do I get started?

I already have an amazon.jobs account, so why do I need to reset my password?

We're working hard to provide the best candidate experience possible, so we've made some improvements to the sign-in experience. We want to make sure you're able to access all of our new features. Resetting your password will allow you to see the new and ongoing changes coming to amazon.jobs to make your experience great!

I have multiple email addresses associated with my applications. Can I merge my accounts?

Currently, we're unable to merge applicants' accounts. If you have multiple accounts associated with several applications, you can continue to access your application using the corresponding account.

I don't have an email address. Can I create an account using my phone number?

At this time, amazon.jobs only supports sign-in using a valid email address. In the near future, however, you'll be able sign in to amazon.jobs using your phone number.

I forgot my amazon.jobs password. How do I recover it?

To recover your password, click 'Forgot password' on the sign-in screen and enter your username.

I forgot my amazon.jobs username. How do I recover it?

We recommend signing in with your current email address.

What information or features can I access with my amazon.jobs account?

With an amazon.jobs account, you can access your applicant profile, view application information, and check your application status. As amazon.jobs continues to improve and grow, we'll inform you of any new features or changes.

Do I have to upload my resume using a cloud service?

In an effort to support a more mobile-friendly experience, we've added the ability to upload your resume using cloud services. However, you still have the option to upload your resume from your device.

Can I upload a resume and use my LinkedIn profile?

Applicants can use LinkedIn as an alternative to uploading a traditional resume during profile creation. Unfortunately, we only accept one resume per applicant at this time, so please select the option that works best for you.

My application status hasn't changed. Who can I contact for an update?

Your dashboard is regularly being updated to display the most up-to-date status information relating to each application. When an application status changes, your dashboard is updated in almost real-time to reflect this new status.

When does my application move from Active to Archived?

An application is considered active as long as a final decision has not yet been made. If an applicant withdraws their application, is hired for a role, or is no longer under consideration, their application will be archived.

Benefits

Do you offer benefits?

Yes. Please go to our Benefits page to learn more. Benefits can vary by location, team, or role.

Benefits for Fulfillment / Warehouse Associates can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status (such as part-time, seasonal, or temporary employment). Learn more about benefits for Fulfillment Associates.

Accommodations

Do you offer accommodations?

As an equal opportunity employer, the Amazon group of companies is committed to a diverse workforce and is also committed to a barrier-free employment process. In order to ensure reasonable accommodations for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, individuals that require accommodation in the job application process for a posted position may contact us at 866-437-9078 for assistance.

For more information visit our Accommodations page.

General questions

Where can I view the equal employment opportunity poster?

You can view the poster by clicking the links here: EEO is the Law and Supplement.

Do I have to move to Seattle to work at Amazon?

No, we have Amazon offices all around the world. Learn more on our Seattle headquarters and our other locations.

Is it true you hire people to work from home as Customer Service Associates?

Yes. View our current opportunities.

Do you hire people to write Amazon reviews?

We do not pay people to write reviews. We have found that customers trust reviews written by other customers.

I work for an employment agency, temporary staffing firm, or consulting business. How can I present applicants to you?

We do not have a general resume submittal process for agencies who are not on our preferred list.

What is E-Verify?

The Amazon group of companies participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows an employer to determine an employee's eligibility to work in the US using information reported on an employee's Form I-9. The E-Verify system confirms eligibility with both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For more information, please go to the USCIS E-Verify website.

Does Amazon or its approved recruiting partners charge any fee for employment?

We do not charge any fee for employment and the same applies to the Recruitment Partners who we work with. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit. Additionally, we do not ask for any refundable security deposit to be paid in bank accounts for employment purposes. We request candidates to be cautious of misleading communications and not pay any fee/ deposit to individuals/ agencies/ employment portals on the pretext of attending Amazon interview process or seeking employment with us. These would be fraudulent in nature. Anyone dealing with such individuals/ agencies / employment portals will be doing so at his/her own risk and Amazon will not be held responsible for such loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly. Such fake job offers and appointment letters shall not be treated as any kind of offer or representation by Amazon. Please note, Amazon does not send offer letters from Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail or any other public email accounts or demand a fee in lieu of an employment offer / interview. If you receive such e-mails, please do not pay any fee or deposit. We request that you report such offers to recruiting-feedback@amazon.com. If you have already made a payment, please log a complaint with the local police for necessary legal action to be taken.

How do I determine if I am restricted from seeking employment or having employment discussions with Amazon or its subsidiaries?

You may be restricted from having employment discussions with Amazon or its subsidiaries if you are currently participating, or previously participated, in government acquisition or other matters involving Amazon or its subsidiaries. To learn how the rules apply to your specific situation, please consult your employer’s ethics officer.

Where can I view the equal employment opportunity poster?

You can view the equal employment opportunity poster at EEO is the Law or Supplement.

I am a government employee working on a procurement involving a large government contract. One of the competitors for the contract is Amazon. May I apply for a job opening with Amazon?

Certain government employees who work on procurements for government contracts are required to file a written disqualification memorandum if the employee commences to seek employment. According to the U.S. Federal Government rules, the employee is also required to provide written notice of employment contacts even if the employee or contractor rejects the possibility of employment. Please consult your employer’s ethics officer for advice on your specific situation.

I formerly worked for a current government customer of Amazon and while there I served as a technical advisor overseeing decisions concerning one of Amazon’s contracts. If employed by Amazon, could I meet with employees of my former Federal Government agency to discuss issues pertaining to the Amazon contract?

You may not meet with employees of the government client to discuss the contract with which you were closely involved during your time with the government. Please consult your employer’s ethics officer for advice on your specific situation.

Do the government restrictions on seeking employment apply to merely sending my resume to Amazon?

The U.S. Federal Government restrictions on seeking outside employment apply broadly to include contacting prospective employers about possible employment. This includes sending resumes to a prospective employer.

What do I need to know if I am a government employee?

Notice to current government employees: Certain laws and regulations place restrictions on employment discussions between government employees and non-government entities. Before proceeding further, please review the following FAQ’s pertaining to current government employment. By proceeding to engage in any employment discussions with Amazon.com and/or any of its subsidiaries, you are representing that you have confirmed with your employer or through other reasonable inquiry that you are permitted to engage in such discussions under the applicable laws and regulations.

What do I do if I suspect a fraudulent source is offering me a job at Amazon?

Please be cautious of common scams that offer unauthorized Amazon employment opportunities. Our recruiters who contact candidates — whether it be via text, call, or email—will never ask for banking information, or request an enrollment fee. We encourage those who think they may have been contacted by a fraudulent source offering a job on behalf of Amazon to report it via http://www.amazondelivers.jobs/contactus. We actively investigate reported employment scams, and as a result, dozens of fraudulent recruiting websites have been taken down.

Student Questions

Where can I learn about opportunities for students?

Please visit amazon.jobs to learn more about opportunities for students and new graduates. For questions about applying and interviewing at Amazon outside of Student Programs, please refer to the Amazon.jobs career site FAQs.

What roles does the Student Programs team recruit for?

We recruit current undergraduate and graduate students for internship and full-time opportunities in different roles including, but not limited to, software development engineers, support engineers, product managers, operations managers, applied scientists, vendor managers, and financial analysts.

In what countries does Amazon hire students for these roles?

We recruit for internships and full-time roles in more than 30 countries around the world across the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa.

Can I apply to multiple roles?

Yes, please apply to the role(s) that align with both your interests and skillset. You will be evaluated against the requirements for each role and may interview for different roles at the same time.

Should I apply for an internship or wait to apply for a full-time role?

We recommend applying for an internship to gain valuable work experience and learn first-hand what it’s like to work at Amazon, but we still welcome direct applications to full-time roles.

Is there an application deadline for full-time positions? What if I missed it – can I still apply?

There are no application deadlines for internships and full-time positions (including specialty science and research positions, and undergraduate non-technical roles). However, we encourage students to apply early in the fall preceding their graduation to increase the likelihood of interviewing for an open role.

Full-time and intern MBA roles in North America are posted on amazon.jobs. Amazon will review full-time applications on a rolling basis in preparation for interviews that will begin at the end of August 2021. In North America, intern applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in early November 2020 in preparation for interviews that will begin in early January 2021. We encourage students to apply early to increase the likelihood of interviewing for an open role.

MBA hiring in India will begin in October 2020 for interns and in December 2020 for full-time positions. We encourage students to get in touch with their placement committees on campus to learn more about our hiring events and the application process for Amazon. For MBA internships and full-time opportunities in Europe (Launch program), Amazon engages directly with universities. We encourage students to get in touch with their university career centers to learn more about Amazon hiring events and the application process.

Where can I find the status of my application? When will I hear back from Amazon?

You can see the status of your application in the candidate portal. If you applied for a tech role in North America, including SDE and non-SDE tech, aside from tech eng hardware, check the status of your application here. To check the status of your application for all other roles, including tech eng hardware, check the status of your application here. We review applications throughout the year on a rolling basis and will contact you directly if we are interested in moving forward with your candidacy.

I was referred for a specific role by a current Amazonian – what do I do now?

If you are referred to a specific open role, a recruiter from the Student Programs team will reach out to have you complete your application via amazon.jobs. If your application is selected for further review, someone from Student Programs will contact you directly.

How do I best prepare for Amazon’s interview process?

To prepare for your interview, we suggest reviewing our Leadership Principles. Amazonians use the Leadership Principles every day – whether we're discussing ideas for new projects or deciding the best approach to solve a problem. We also encourage you to visit Interviewing at Amazon to learn more about the interview process and how to prepare.

Software development topics | Amazon.jobs

Excerpt
Before you dig into the technical topics you may be asked about during your interview, connect with your recruiting point of contact to understand the subjects/skills you’ll most likely be discussing and demonstrating. In general, our technical interviews typically require you to perform coding and system design white boarding exercises. Also keep in mind that invention is in our DNA, and technology is the fundamental tool we wield to evolve and improve every aspect of the experience we provide our customers. When reviewing the below topics, keep the customer top of mind.

An important part of Amazon’s Software Development Engineer hiring process is the completion of an online assessment which includes a coding test. We invite you to prepare for the experience by taking this sample coding challenge. You can become comfortable with the environment and experience practice questions which are similar to the actual assessment. You can click through this as many times as you’d like!

Interviewing for a software engineer role that requires at least 2 years of experience? Learn how to successfully demonstrate your skills in interviews.

Technical topics

Programming language

We do not require that you know any specific programming language before interviewing for a tech position. However, familiarity with a prominent language is generally a prerequisite for success. You should be familiar with the syntax of languages such as C, C++, C++14, C#, Go, Java7, Java8, JavaScript, Kotlin, Objective-C, PyPy2, PyPy3, Python2, Python3, Ruby, Scala and Swift. You should also know some of the languages’ nuances, such as how memory management works, or the most commonly used collections, libraries, etc.

Data structures

Most of the work we do involves storing and providing access to data in efficient ways. This requires a strong background in data structures. You’ll need to understand the inner workings of common data structures and be able to compare and contrast their usage in various applications. You will be expected to know the runtimes for common operations as well as how they use memory.

Algorithms

Your interview will not be focused on rote memorization of algorithms. However, having a good understanding of the most common algorithms will likely make solving some of the questions a lot easier. Consider reviewing common algorithms such as traversals, divide and conquer, breadth-first search vs. depth-first search and understand the tradeoffs for each. Knowing the runtimes, theoretical limitations, and basic implementation strategies of different classes of algorithms is more important than memorizing the specific details of any given algorithm.

Coding

Expect to be asked to write syntactically correct code—no pseudo code. If you feel a bit rusty coding without an IDE or coding in a specific language, it’s a good idea to dust off the cobwebs and get comfortable coding with a pen and paper. The most important thing a Software Development Engineer does at Amazon is write scalable, robust, and well-tested code. These are the main evaluation criteria for your code. Make sure that you check for edge cases and validate that no bad input can slip through. This is your chance to show off your coding ability.

Object-oriented design

Good design is paramount to extensible, bug-free, long-lived code. We know it’s possible to solve any given software problem in almost limitless ways, but when software needs to be extensible and maintainable, good software design is critical to success. One way to build lasting software is to use object-oriented design best practices. You should have a working knowledge of a few common and useful design patterns, along with how to write software in an object-oriented way. You likely won’t be asked to describe the details of how specific design patterns work, but expect to have to defend your design choices.

Databases

Most of the software that we write is backed by a data store. Many of the challenges tech people face arise when figuring out how to most efficiently retrieve and store data for future use. Amazon has been at the forefront of the non-relational DB movement. We have made Amazon Web Services such as DynamoDB available to the developer community so that they can easily leverage the benefits of non-relational databases. While we don't expect any particular level of expertise with non-relational databases, you should be familiar with broad database concepts and their applications. The more you know about tradeoffs between relational and non-relational databases, the better prepared you will be.

Distributed computing

Systems at Amazon have to work under very strict tolerances at a high load. While we have some internal tools that help us with scaling, it’s important to have an understanding of a few basic distributed computing concepts. Understanding topics such as service-oriented architectures, map-reduce, distributed caching, load balancing, and others, will help you formulate answers to some of the more complicated distributed architecture questions you might encounter.

Operating systems

You won’t need to know how to build your own operating system from scratch, but you should be familiar with some OS topics that can affect code performance (e.g. memory management, processes, threads, synchronization, paging, and multithreading).

Internet topics

We expect our engineers to be familiar with the fundamentals of how the internet works. Brush up on how browsers function at a high level, from DNS lookups and TCP/IP, to socket connections. Having a solid understanding of the fundamentals of how the worldwide web works is a requirement.

General machine learning and artificial intelligence

Expect to be asked about data-driven modeling, train/test protocols, error analysis, and statistical significance. For example, given a problem definition, you should be able to formulate it as a machine learning problem and propose a solution, including ideas for data sources, annotation, modeling approaches, and potential pitfalls. Understand the basic AI/ML methods and algorithms – revisit your favorite ML and AI textbooks.

We understand this was a relatively long list of topics to review. Know that your interviewers won’t be evaluating your ability to memorize all of the details for each of these topics. They will be looking for your ability to apply what you know to solve problems efficiently and effectively. With (sometimes) limited time to prepare for a technical interview, we recommend reviewing computer science fundamentals and practicing coding outside of an integrated development environment. This will likely yield the best results for your time.

Have more questions?

EXPLORE INTERVIEWING AT AMAZON. CHECK OUT OUR FAQS. LEARN ABOUT OUR BENEFITS. EXPLORE OUR LOCATIONS.

Before you dig into the technical topics you may be asked about during your interview, connect with your recruiting point of contact to understand the subjects/skills you’ll most likely be discussing and demonstrating. In general, our technical interviews typically require you to perform coding and system design white boarding exercises. Also keep in mind that invention is in our DNA, and technology is the fundamental tool we wield to evolve and improve every aspect of the experience we provide our customers. When reviewing the below topics, keep the customer top of mind.

An important part of Amazon’s Software Development Engineer hiring process is the completion of an online assessment which includes a coding test. We invite you to prepare for the experience by taking this sample coding challenge. You can become comfortable with the environment and experience practice questions which are similar to the actual assessment. You can click through this as many times as you’d like!

Interview block

Time

Interviewer

Interviewer job title

Competencies discussed

Please note, while this is a fairly typical interview overview, we are constantly looking for ways to elevate and improve our current processes. Please refer to your recruiter, who will provide specific details of your interview process because the interview journey for the job you applied to may differ slightly from others.

Your interview at Amazon will connect you with members of our Software Development community. They’re there to have a conversation around your experiences and skills in several areas critical to SDE success at Amazon. These areas are a combination of Leadership Principles and technical competencies called SDE Interview Competencies.

Each interviewer is responsible for focusing the conversation on a few (~2-3) SDE Interview Competencies. In some cases they will ask multiple questions for each competency.

Select the tabs for a brief description of the interview competencies. Later in this guide, we’ll get into the details of each competency and how best to showcase your skills in each area.

TECHNICAL SKILLS LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

System design competency

You should have a working knowledge of a few common and useful design patterns, along with how to write software in an object-oriented way. You likely won’t be asked to describe the details of how specific design patterns work, but expect to apply concepts to the particular problem and defend your design choices.

Three coding competencies

This is your chance to show off your knowledge and understanding of computer science fundamentals (e.g., hash maps, arrays, binary trees, algorithms). Your evaluation will include three areas of coding: data structures and algorithms, logical and maintainable, and problem-solving.

While this guide covers each coding competency individually, your response should consider all three as an integrated approach. In other words, when you're responding to a coding question, you should always consider data structures and algorithms, logical and maintainable, and problem-solving together in your approach to solve the problem.

Below are some tips from our recruiters and interviewers to keep in mind throughout the interview. Later in this prep guide, we'll get into specifics for effectively navigating each of the SDE interview competencies.

Select the + icons to expand each dropdown and view interview tips.

Setting the stage+Responding to questions+Interview apps–

Amazon Chime: Your interview is virtual and you'll need to download Amazon Chime, our tool for video conferencing (found here). You'll most likely be presenting at some point in your interview so you'll need to download Chime to your desktop. The meeting ID# will be emailed to you by your recruiting point of contact. For optimal sound quality, use a headset with a microphone.

Technical applications: You will be provided access to coding and virtual whiteboarding web applications. The coding application will allow you to live code with your interviewer in your preferred coding language and offers syntax highlighting.

The virtual whiteboarding application will allow you and your interviewer to collaborate and interact in real-time.

If you need assistive technology or other accommodations, reach out to your recruiter to find out what options are available.

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Last updated 2 years ago