I applied online. I interviewed at Amazon (Luxembourg) in Sep 2020
Interview
I applied online, received an email that they would like to schedule an interview. Interestingly I never got a call from the recruiter. I networked with a Sr. Product Manager via LinkedIn, so I was able to prep with him. 1) 60-min First Interview was with a peer manager via Chime. All behavioural questions about 14 LPs. I prepared around 25-30 stories in advance so it wasn't too hard, but the interviewer really digs for details. I just imagined she was my peer at work, so it was fun! 2 days later, got the news that I passed and submitted my availability for 2nd interview. 2mins later I got the confirmation for 2nd interview date and time. 2) 2nd 60-min interview with another peer manager. She was slightly more stoic to my replies, but was respectful. Again, 5~7 behavioural questions. It's quite intense. You have to think fast, answer concise and to the point. 2 days later, I was told that they would like to schedule the loop interview with 5 interviewers. Here they give you an option to split into 2 days or have it in one. I decided to do it in one day (much better to finish it in one go). Again, I submitted my availability and within the day, the coordinator sent me the loop interview schedule. Given the current circumstances, this was again on Chime, but this time with video. Also there was a 2.5) writing assignment to be submitted before the loop (1~2 pager about topics related to 14LP) 3) LOOP interviews. There are many reviews on the internet (reddit, quora, blind etc) about "bar-raisers" but I personally thought all interviewers were equally engaging & friendly. Again, as this was a non-tech role, all were behavioural ("Tell me about a time~") questions. The difficulty of the questions did not vary much from one interviewer to another. 5 days later I was told I didn't make it through the loop, but I did get great feedback from the Recruiter. One of my stories did not demonstrate one of the LPs very well, but the remaining ones were great. (i.e. I did not pass the bar-raiser ). But it was a great experience. I feel that after this 7-hour interview, I feel very well prepared for my remaining interviews elsewhere :)
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
NDA, but you can find great examples from youtube. All the questions I received throughout the whole process (Probably around 35~45 in total) did not vary different from the ones circulating online :)
A completely rigid, overblown experience and really not in line with the leadership principles (e.g. invent and simplify) they try to promote.
2-3 calls with HR, 2 screening calls and 5 x 45 min video interviews, plus a 2 page writing sample.
HR were organized in terms of what to expect but the experience on a whole left me sapped and not excited or any the wiser about the role really.
Questions are repetitive and I'd spent several days on a writing sample only to be asked the exact same question again in the written interview.
I gave a variety of examples but it was really hard to include some really great experiences or showcase my strengths, relevant to the role, because of the rigid nature of the interview. Just a bunch of situational questions requiring STAR format responses.
I didn't feel the interviews were very friendly or engaged, reading and repeating questions off a spreadsheet and then typing things up. One interviewer just spent the time staring up at her monitor.
I didn't feel disappointed about not getting the job, just sapped of all my energy and enthusiasm and annoyed about how much time the whole process took and, on top of that, they have a policy of not giving feedback.
They've also twice sent me a survey email to feedback on their interview experience, so it's all take and no give. Suffice to say, my policy here is not to give feedback either.
Call phone introduction in both sides, share expertise and goals for this open role. Easy. Proactive. Very grateful and worth it. Very profesional. Looking forward to hearing from them. Great experience.