I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Amazon (Seattle, WA) in Nov 2019
Interview
A recruiter contacted me with a prospective position. I didn't have a phone screen this time, presumably because my resume was in their system, but usually there is one. Passed the 2 phone interviews (by senior members of the team I would have joined), then got invited to an onsite interview with 4 team members (one at a time, and 2 of which I spoke to), an Amazon employee from outside the team, and a 6th person that took me to lunch. All questions I got from beginning to end were variations of STAR questions - I really needed at least 14 examples but didn't have (the 2 phone interviews plus the onsite group interview). The experience wasn't bad but I felt that asking more STAR questions in the onsite interview was a waste of Amazon's resources. They didn't go very much into my background or what I did at work - pretty much did not deviate from the STAR question format. At least I lost nothing other than a few days of my time - Amazon arranged hotel/plane expenses and reimbursed the rest (e.g., rideshare trips).
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
STAR question variations - Tell me about a time ___
I applied online. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon (Dublín, Dublín) in Nov 2019
Interview
Applied online. Was selected to do phone interview with person from team (not HR). Ran smoothly. Was selected to return for all day interview (5 separate interviews back to back with a lunch break. Had pre-interview HR meeting to tell me what to expect. Within that meeting recruiter asked me my salary expectations/current salary; which I thought was unusual as their policy appears to say the opposite on their website (they don't use this in their offer process). I was told I was towards the top end of their range etc. but they would be competitive. Interview day was gruelling enough with a good many questions requiring the same answer. I felt I did well but fielding 60-70 questions I probably stumbled 2 or 3 times but was difficult because interviewer did not understand the business I was coming from. Turned out that really the role was a senior project manager at best and although I may have accepted it if offered it was beneath my competency level. One thing to note is that Amazon seem to have two main roles of Product Manager and Program Manager. Between these two roles Business Analysis, Project Management, Test Management are covered so if you are used to having resources supporting you as a Program Manager or a Senior Project Manager a Program Manager role in Amazon may not be for you. I think Amazon place over emphasis on the Leadership principles rather than trying to see if the person actually has done this job before and thus can add value to the company. They also have a weird policy that if you wish to go to the bathroom that you must be followed by your interviewer not into the bathroom but waiting outside. It is demeaning for employees to have to do that and that should be rethought. Finally I received a call from HR a couple of days later telling me I was unsuccessful. He gave me some brief feedback which did not rhyme true with how the interview went; reality is that I wasn't a good fit (too experienced and at the top of their range) but I understand that no company will provide candid feedback and thus give generic comments. In general I think far better to apply via agencies as you can waste a lot of time applying directly to companies as you have no insight into their process.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
A time when you overcame a significant challenge in a project
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Amazon (Sídney)
Interview
Applied online and was contacted 2 months later. Initial phone interview was rescheduled 3 times. It was conversational yet challenging, focusing on the leadership principles and real examples, but the interviewer was encouraging. Second interview was scheduled for 3 weeks after the 1st due to hiring manager's absence, then rescheduled again at the last minute due to illness. By this point it had been 3 months since my application and 1 month since my 1st interview. 2 days later it was cancelled entirely and I was told the position had been filled. The recruitment team I spoke to were helpful and apologetic. Overall a disappointing and lengthy process.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time you overachieved on a project