Amazon interview process starts with a tech recruiter's mail. I received a mail from a recruiter saying that I hadn't responded to her one week old mail! I responded; I was sent a big mail about their complicated hardcore techie interview with a message, "you will be asked to use cobedit", and warned that "don't be embarrassed when you are asked on ..... data structure queue, stack,..., sorting algorithms etc". Anyway, the interviewer seemed to have good experiences, and looked like peer level interview. It went for 50 mts, and 10 mts for my questions to the interviewer. When I specifically asked what are critical problems the program (for which I am considered) faces. The response was, 'I don't know; we do not reveal our problems now'. I said 'fantastic; I understand'; then I asked some useless questions for which I got the useless responses. I sent a Thanks mail to Amazon recruiter; no response. After a week I send a reminder, no response. Even while I was expecting a response from the recruiter, I got another interview from Amazon for a different program, but the same designation. After the usual interview (45-50 mts), I asked the same question 'critical issues' with the program; this time I got some evasive responses. When I asked when will I know the result of this interview and subsequent process, the response was really interesting, "You will have to face 4 or 5 telephone interviews before being called for face to face interview!". It was a shocker for me; I felt, it is an insult. Should I waste my time for 4 or 5 telephone interviews? I sent a Thanks mail to the 2nd recruiter. Also sent a reminder to the first recruiter. Both were mute. Next after three weeks, I demanded (strong mail seeking) a response from the first recruiter; I got a response from the recruiter's boss. The 2nd one never responded; now it is three weeks since I was interviewed 2nd time. I have decided not to have any touch with Amazon ever again. Amazon takes the candidates for a ride. They seem to think, the candidates are 'cheap' commodities, which they can pick and choose at their will. That's unprofessional and bad, and it will hurt Amazon in the long run; I guarantee it.

I will split this review into 2 sections pertaining to my preparation process and interview process. PREPARATION: First, I prepared by reaching out to my OCM (Office of Career Management) part of my MBA program. They reached out to the alumni that worked in the specific job and connected me with them. This was essential to my process and helped me a lot as it helped me get an inside look of the interviewers thought process before the interview. I then prepared a document to save and answer any interview question that I could find from resources, such as Glass Door, pertaining to typical Amazon behavioral interview questions. I also watched interview related YouTube videos that helped me prepare. Since Amazon is such a large company and hires a lot of people, there are a lot of these videos available. There are a few YouTube channels dedicated to the Amazon hiring process and interview preparation. I then reviewed the leadership principles and familiarized myself with them. I paired behavioral questions with these principles, and related them to my experience via the STAR format. One thing I HIGHLY suggest is practicing your responses, making them fluid and natural as part of a normal conversation. Record yourself, practice in the mirror, etc. Also, do NOT simply write down your responses and read them to the interviewer. This will get you negative points, and possibly cause them to pass on you. INTERVIEW: Total time: 3 HR, 15 Min. 4 interview, 45 min long, 15 min. break after 2nd interview. Amazon is moving towards online interview process. There are not doing as much on-campus interviews or flying candidates out to the location for in-person interviews. My Amazon interview was a total of FOUR interviews. Each of these interviews lasted for 45 minutes. Amazon will try to do all 4 of these interviews within 1 day. Be prepared to commit to the interview date, and be prepared for it to take the better half of the day. Each interviewer was punctual and direct. They gave a quick introduction of themselves, asked for a quick introduction of myself, and then quickly moved into behavioral type questioning. Preparing ahead of time is essential. I HIGHLY recommend the STAR format. Amazon is very results driven. Don't focus on non-essential information. Focus on actions and results. Each interviewer will ask you for more details and challenge you during the interview. Be prepared to be challenged and have those answers ready if possible. 2 of the interviewers I had gave me hypothetical questions to get to know my thought process better and to learn what my managerial style is like. All in all, it was a great experience. If you make it to this round of interview, you will most likely do well. Amazon is selective in their candidates, and seek out very qualified individuals for positions like this. You will more than likely enjoy this interview. My preparation helped me a great deal. Do not take the preparation lightly. Finally, the questions that I included were part of my preparation and found online. They were also asked by the interviewer. Not all of the questions asked are included.