I’d like to share my thoughts on Amazon's interview methods and identify some areas for improvement. Is Amazon, the organization founded by Jeff Bezos, inadvertently adopting practices reminiscent of offshore call centers in India, some of which later turned out to be associated with scams? I couldn't help but draw parallels to my recent experience, which felt reminiscent of having a conversation with a call center in India.
I recently participated in a phone interview for a Finance Manager role (Job ID: 2482283) with two individuals who appeared to be financial analysts, possibly having migrated from India based on their interviewing approach.
The interview focused heavily on quantifying how my past experiences and actions resulted in cost savings for organizations I worked with several years ago. Despite my 20 years of experience and involvement in Finance Committees of Boards, I recognized that providing accurate numerical references without reports for reference would be challenging.
The persistent interruptions during my responses left me with an initial impression of unpolished and unprofessional conduct, which is contrary to the image one would expect from Amazon.
The interviewers mentioned the need to take notes for presentation to their seniors. This suggested a lack of ability to assess talent on the spot, leaving me feeling that the interview was conducted by individuals merely adhering to job requirements rather than demonstrating genuine competence.
A more effective approach for Amazon would be to involve direct hiring managers in the initial assessment of candidates, with additional input from senior leaders and peers as necessary in subsequent stages. This approach could be more effective in addressing concerns that may arise when junior-level staff, who may lack the experience for roles beyond their pay band, conduct interviews.
