ADVANCED: Interview - Amazon Flashcards
Do you know our CEO? How do you pronounce his name?
Jeff Bay-zos (Jeff Bezos)
How would you solve problems if you were from Mars?
The interviewer wants to see if you can think out-of-the-box. Consider sharing a personal anecdote that shows how you came up with a creative solution to a customer problem, improved an internal process or made a sale via an innovative strategy.
Tell the story of the last time you had to apologize to someone.
Can you admit to mistakes? Are you a team player? That’s what the recruiter wants to know. Most of us have made several mistakes, but pick one where you apologized and managed to right the wrong successfully.
What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced in your life? How did you handle it?
Stick to a professional anecdote - don’t share a personal story - and find one that has a happy ending.
Walk me through how Amazon Kindle books would be priced.
Read up on how the royalty system works. Our recommendation is - Amazon pays out a royalty of 70% on all Kindle titles priced between $2.99 to $9.99. For eBooks priced below $2.99 and above $9.99, Amazon pays out only 35%. For writers who want to generate leads via their online books, say for seminars, it makes sense to price the title below $2.99; specialized titles will sell over $9.99. All other categories should stick to the 70% royalty.
Who was your most difficult customer?
Share an anecdote where you managed to solve the problem. Emphasize how you stayed calm and diffused the situation.
What would you do if you found out that your closest friend at work was stealing?
Your loyalty - to the company and your friend - is being questioned. Say you’ll consider the nature of the offence before deciding how to proceed.
If your direct manager was instructing you to do something you disagreed with, how would you handle it?
Your interviewer wants to know how you handle disagreement and how good your negotiation skills are. Convey that you aren’t averse to speaking up, that you believe in communicating till you find a solution and that you can be flexible.
What would you do if you saw someone being unsafe at work?
Tell the interviewer that you have a duty of care to yourself and your work colleagues. Under these circumstances, you will let the person know that the way they are working can lead to an accident. If you know a safer way to do the job, you will suggest it. Otherwise you will contact your supervisor.
Do you think you’ll reach a point where you storm off the floor and never return?
Make it clear you are able to keep your temper in check. Share how you would deal with a situation where you have been provoked. Be sure to emphasize that you’re not indifferent, just calm.
What are our principles?
Amazon’s fourteen principles: 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 (think strategically, but act quickly), Frugality (being economical with money), Earn Trust, Dive Deep, Have Backbone (Disagree and Commit), Deliver Results.
Give me an example of something you tried to accomplish but failed.
They want to know if you are able to leave your comfort zone and experiment.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a poor performer on your team.
How did you deal with it?
Which Amazon leadership principle do you resonate most with?
Customer Obsession, Ownership, Invent and Simplify, One of: Leaders Are Right (A Lot), Learn and Be Curious, Hire and Develop the Best, Insist on the Highest Standards, Think Big, Bias for Action (think strategically, but act quickly), Frugality (being economical with money), Earn Trust, Dive Deep, Have Backbone (Disagree and Commit), Deliver Results.
