A few phone interviews, separated by weeks of no communication, then an invitation to interview on-site, then more weeks of nothing, then finally worked out the details to come on-site for an interview.
I am really surprised how disorganized Amazon recruiting is. I even think the hiring manager was annoyed at how bad they have become.
Like everyone else, I signed an NDA but if you read most of the reviews here for solution architects you'll get a general feel for how the interview goes. Like most things I'd read here, I though people were exaggerating about the 8 hours of interviews and behavioral questions but they're not. Even lunch is an interview. How many times can you answer the same questions and try and figure out how to answer them based on what this particular person wants. I was particularly annoyed by the top leader(I use that term loosely) who interviewed me. I had the distinct feeling he didn't want to be there and kept prodding me with sales type behavioral questions that were, in fact, badgering and annoying. You know the type, the executive that wants to show you how smart he is by asking you convoluted questions about artificial scenarios that have nothing to do with your possible role but were something he read, or heard, somewhere.
That said, most of the others I interviewed with were guys from similar teams to the one I was applying for and they were friendly, interested and seemed to pay attention. They all seemed overworked, stressed and in need of staff badly. I felt sorry for them. They joked about work/life balance and seemed to think the whole IT world has none.
I came away from the experience learning a lot about Amazon and AWS, including that I didn't want to work there and burn out. That's why I'm leaving my current employer. Out of the pan and into the fire? No thanks.
I didn't get an offer(kind of relieved) but they didn't even call me to tell me. They sent an email.
Stay classy Amazon.