All Companies
📦

Amazon Interview Prep

Tech/Retail5-6 rounds

Top Tip

Every behavioral question maps to their 14 Leadership Principles — study them all

Culture Overview

Amazon is defined by its 16 Leadership Principles (LPs). These aren't aspirational values — they're the actual operating system of the company. Every interview question, every performance review, and every promotion decision maps back to the LPs. You must know them cold.

Typical Interview Process

1Phone screen with recruiter
2Technical/role-specific phone screen
3On-site loop: 5-7 rounds, each interviewer owns specific LPs
4Bar Raiser (senior interviewer who can veto any hire)
5Debrief and offer

Interview Focus

Leadership Principles (14 LPs)

Famous Questions They Ask

Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete data. (Bias for Action)

Describe a time you went above and beyond for a customer. (Customer Obsession)

Tell me about a time you disagreed with your team and were right. (Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit)

What's the most complex problem you've ever solved? (Invent and Simplify)

Tell me about a time you failed. (Earn Trust)

Prep Tips for Amazon

Prepare 2-3 STAR stories for EACH of the 16 Leadership Principles.

The Bar Raiser is looking to disqualify you — be consistent and honest.

Amazon loves 'What did you learn?' and 'What would you do differently?' Always have answers.

Quantify everything. Amazon is data-driven — estimates beat adjectives every time.

Prepare to ask 'are we making the right long-term decision?' even under short-term pressure.

Accelerate your Amazon prep

Structured interview prep courses and mock interviews from people who have been there.

Ace Amazon LPs with Exponent

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission.