Do Your Homework - Don't make the same mistake - Manager, Senior Vendor Management Amazon Employee Review

1.0
Aug 22, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Will get you e-commerce on the resume if that's what you are after. Experience will hold weight elsewhere. Seattle has it's benefits other than weather.

Cons

To be transparent - I was an experienced hire, left a decent job for promises of greener pastures and financial rewards, and have an MBA from a top 5 school. I didn't last long. Biggest mistake of my life. Here is what you need to know: (1) call it what you want, but if you are on the retail side, you are a buyer at a retailer - and one of many buyers. You're not taking on the worlds problems and conquering. You'll be a data junkie and moonlight learning programming code and systems language. (2) vast majority of people at this place are miserable. The ones who are not? Those individuals who've made smarter decisions than you, been there for 7+ years, and are millionaires with all their stock rewards. While they may not necessarily be happy, they can get motivated solely based upon financial ramifications and the fact they've found a place where being adversarial is encouraged. If you are looking for higher purpose at your place of employment, you really want to look elsewhere. (3) The culture is awful. It's an adversarial culture and encouraged/rewarded. People talk about all the hours they are working as if it's some kind of badge of honor. As if their impressing you or in some kind of unsustainable competition. While at work, people have their headphones on and nose in their computers. Don't look for friends or interaction - the place is littered with the socially awkward, incredibly smart people you've encountered in your journey through life. They've just found solace that there's a company full of like-people. I asked someone who reported to me how their kids were and what they did on the weekend, and they said "nobody's ever asked me that here before." Sad. I could go on, but you should get it. Talk to people who are there and certainly talk to those who left to get a real picture of life here. Don't repeat a mistake you don't have to. It's not what you're hoping it is. There was an article written about Jeff Bezos and the Amazon culture in winter of 2013 - find it, read it, and know it's spot on. I think it was from yahoo business, business week, forbes - one of those.

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5.0
May 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are consistent VET weakly to choice from.

Cons

Long 10h shifts can be sometime mentally draining.

5.0
Jan 10, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really smart people, a lot of opportunity for growth, always encouraged to be innovative, think big, and create something new. Competitive salary and benefits with other major tech companies. 100% self motivating work environment. No dress code and 4 legged friends are welcome.

Cons

You have to be self motivated. NO ONE will hold your hand and tell you that you're doing a great job. If you need constant affirmations from management, this company isn't for you.

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