I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon (Cambridge, MA) in Nov 2014
Interview
Multiple technical phone interviews prior to in person interview with the larger team. Passed all and then met the team. GIRLS need NOT apply. It's pretty clear that the mediocre boys in this place want no part of diversity.. competition.. whatever! I had respect for this company until I met the rest of the team. A couple of standout players but the rest were a bunch of insecure/pompous half-wits that clearly wanted to protect their own inadequacies. Wake up Amazon - half your customers are women. Your stock may be rebounding this month but its a dead cat bounce.
I applied through college or university. I interviewed at Amazon
Interview
First round was telephonic and lasted for 20 minutes, there were two such interviews and then once you clear these you move onto the final rounds which are 4 rounds of video conference rounds
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
what is most innovative thing you have done in your life
I applied for this position and was contacted for it by a recruiter. The recruiter set up a time and stated the interviewer would be on time. Not early, not late. The interviewer was early. Unprepared. Awkward and his examples and questions were stilted and not thought through. It was a miserable interview and very awkward to try to guide and direct him as well as understand him. He was 40 minutes early and when I picked up the phone he acted like he was surprised I picked up the call. I believe he was trying leave a message and say he missed me as he was totally unprepared to conduct a meaningful interview.
With that misery over, I expected a thanks but no thanks but I received another phone interview with an employee with 15 years history with Amazon. He was fantastic. We clicked very well and he was a hiring manager. We spent an hour and a half discussing all aspects of the position, his background, my background and next steps.
Third interview was with another front line 2 year employee and it was not as personable or interesting as the 2nd. I was disappointed with the approach, the questions, the lack of reply to questions and the overall disposition and enthusiasm of the interviewer. I was trying hard as I thought an opportunity at Amazon would be very cool and career advancing even if for 2 years.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Most difficult question: How would you manage a new version of a product that would be replacing a previous version. No additional background, unable to clarify how or what the product did. Who the clients were or where it was in the development process.