I applied through a recruiter. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at Amazon
Interview
A friend of mine who became a new Amazon operations manager referred my name to an Amazon Military Liaison who contacted me via e-mail. The liaison requested that I fill out a brief employment history and location preference. He scheduled a phone interview which we conducted three days later. The phone interview was 30 minutes long and was example based. For instance, "give me an example of when you solved a complex problem with a simple solution?" or "What practices have you put into place to improve customer service?"
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
"When and how have you applied analytical processes to improve work conditions?"
I applied in-person. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon in Mar 2010
Interview
Extremely challenging. We only hire the best of the best. Panel type interviews that require significant study of the business and need a strong business acumen.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Panel interviews that deep dive into root cause. You can never provide enough details or data at Amazon. If you are the type of person that "fluff's" answers, you will fall on your face.
I applied through college or university. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Amazon (London, England)
Interview
1st Rd - 45 min telephone interview with General Manager from one of the Warehouses. The interview process is very scripted with the interviewers seemingly unable to work beyond the guidelines in front of them. All questions based on Amazon's 14 principles of leadership.
2nd Rd - 4x 45 min interviews followed by tour of warehouse. Much the same as last time. Had to write a short essay before the interview. Then this was not referred to in the process at all other than to give examples not related to essay.
Comments: Understand that you are applying to work in a warehouse and ensure that the customer gets their delivery on time. Yet you must be enthusiastic about it! The actual process was completely random. It took them over 7 weeks to get back asking me for the 2nd round which I could not make. IT then took then a further 7 weeks to find an alternative date. Some friends had a 3rd round before being offered a job others did not. Some had a choice of location but others did not. There is no discussion about this. I have been appalled by Amazon's lack of professionalism in the recruiting process.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The questions focussed on the 14 principles of leadership so if you prepare examples for each of these there will not be a question that you can not answer relatively easily. But prepare more than 2 if you can as in the 2nd round you may need it to keep the interview fresh. Amazon is all about data and metrics. Show you are comfortable with these.