The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Amazon in Jun 2008
Interview
2 interview experiences: exp #1: phone interviewed w/ 2 people, onsite visit, job offered. Phone interview was mainly algo questions (no puzzles) and 1 offline coding. onsite was 3 algo interviers and 2-3 design discussion interviewers. I was interviewed for 2 positions so was told that I'll face extra people, I can't remember if I was double teamed at some parts.
Questions: I don't remember the algo questions, but I think they weren't too hard because I was able to solve them (I can't solve hard ones at interviews). 1. discuss how to design server(s) to handle large amounts of traffic across the world (large geographic/network space). 2. How do I feel about Java vs C++ (I remember this especially because during lunch a manager mentioned he felt c++ is "crisp" and I liked that description.)
It took Amazon a while to reimburse my travel expenses (I think 2-3 weeks, while other companies gave a check within 1 week). Because they want to you take taxi, I was waiting in their building exit for my cab ride to the airport when everybody is leaving work. A few people came and said bye to me, but I can't remember their names (actually I didn't even remember talking to them). So, not wanting to offend any interviewer, I just smiled at everybody existing.
Initial screening call with recruiter followed by a 1 hr hacker rank question on DSA. The final round was a panel consisting of 4 interviews ranging from technical design, more DSA and behaviour questions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a time when you disagreed with your team and how you resolved it
Online Application & Assessment: Candidates apply via amazon.jobs and may be asked to complete online assessments (work simulations or technical tests).
Recruiter Phone Screen: A 30-60 minute interview to discuss your background, interest in the role, and initial behavioral questions.
Technical Phone Screen (For Tech Roles): A 60-minute interview focused on data structures, algorithms, and coding in a shared editor.
Interview Loop (Virtual/Onsite): The final stage, usually 3-5, 45-60 minute interviews held on the same day or over a few days.
Behavioral Questions: These focus on past behavior (STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result) mapped to Leadership Principles.
Technical/Functional Questions: Problem-solving, system design, or domain-specific questions.
Bar Raiser Interview: One interviewer is a "Bar Raiser," a neutral employee from another team tasked with ensuring hiring standards remain high.
Hiring Committee/Debrief: Interviewers meet to discuss candidate feedback and make a hiring decision.
Recruiter screen. Then 2 coding interviews then onsite rounds (another coding question, then a system design question, then HM behavioral interview). System design was simpler than other companies. Coding was leetcode ish
Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you