Manager of Operations applicants have rated the interview process at Amazon with 4 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 100% positive. To compare, the company-average is 63.4% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
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I applied through college or university. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Amazon (Londres, Inglaterra)
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.
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon (Coffeyville, KS) in Jul 2013
Interview
First step was a phone screen. Next was in person interviews at a Fulfillment Center site with GM, 2 Senior Operations Managers and HR manager. Received tour of facility followed by math flow problem test. Interviewed with each person for 30 mins and asked series of behavioral based questions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Behavioral based questions were easy to prepare for. Amazon prefers the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to answer. Would suggestion preparing for the math flow question. I was asked the following: You have 30 associates who all work an 8 hour day, 5 days a week. 2 need to be in indirect (non-volume producing) roles. Your direct (production) rate is 150 units per hour, but you have two 15-minute breaks during the day. How many units can your department produce in a 40 hour week?
I applied online. I interviewed at Amazon (Columbia, SC) in Jul 2013
Interview
Applied Online. Within 3 days, HR did initial phone conversation asking about background, salary. Next round with Sr. Ops Manager over phone. This was about my experience and background and especially how I could fit Amazon. Asking good questions at the end can make a difference. Next round onsite - first site tour starting 7am followed by math flow question (15 min). Then four rounds of personal interviews back to back. One discusses math flow answer and variations of the problem. This problem is similar what is currently available online. Some understanding of Amazon fulfillment operations can give you insight into what sort of variations likely to be asked. Good experience. Very talented and motivated managers. Overall seems to be a good choice to make a career.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Be confident and comfortable throughout interview process. Take water,snacks if needed. Math flow problems are not difficult, but with intensity of interview process, it can affect your thinking and performance. Stay relaxed and focus on solving problem. Think loudly. This can help interviewer understand how you think.