Amazon Brand Development Manager interview questions

To be honest I have had the worst experience with Amazon standard recruiting tools/HR in Germany at least. Once I prepared all Amazon's principle questions and so on for a manager role and got interviewed by junior part-time recruiter. Another time they couldn't even find my application even when I was referred by friend who works there. So I thought this time I will try a different approach by contacting the hiring manager directly. Isn't that supposed to be more efficient?