Amazon Behavioral Interview Questions and Preparation Tips
Feeling overwhelmed by Amazon’s behavioral interviews? You’re not alone.
Knowing how to structure your answers can make or break your chances of standing out. When it comes to Amazon’s interviews, mastering the STAR method is crucial—it’s the format they expect for every response.
But how do you take it one step further to ensure you’re not just answering the question but also making a lasting impression?
For non-native speakers, I recommend going beyond the STAR method with the STAR(C) method.
The extra “C” stands for Connection—the key to linking your past experience directly to the job you’re applying for. This step not only highlights your skills and results but also makes it crystal clear why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
By structuring your answers using the STAR(C) method, you’ll be able to present your value more effectively and increase your chances of success in Amazon’s competitive interview process.
SITUATION:
The Situation step of the STAR(C) method involves describing the specific context or background of the experience you are discussing. This could include details about the setting, the people involved, and any relevant circumstances that led up to the event or situation.
TASK:
The Task step involves describing the specific responsibilities or issues that you were faced with during this experience. This could include any challenges or problems that you had to address, as well as any goals or objectives that you were working towards.
ACTION:
The Action step involves describing the steps or process that you took to address the task or issue. This could include any strategies or tactics that you used, as well as any decisions or actions that you took.
RESULT:
The Result step involves describing the outcomes or results of your action, as well as any lessons or reflections that you took away from the experience. This could include any positive or negative outcomes that resulted from your action, as well as any insights or lessons that you learned as a result.
CONNECTION:
The Connection step involves clearly explaining how the lessons and skills you learned from that experience will help you be better at this job. By doing this, you can show the interviewer how your past experiences are directly applicable to the role you are seeking.
The key is to be concise, relevant and personable. Remember that interviewers are also looking for candidates that are a good culture fit for the company. This is your chance to showcase your experience and your personality.
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PREPARATION TIPS
BECOME A SUPER FAN: Create an Amazon bubble in the months or weeks leading up to your interview. Surround yourself with Amazon content. For example, read articles and watch videos about Amazon’s leadership principles, their featured Amazonians, and of course, their products and services.
Getting a job at Amazon is incredibly competitive, and being well-versed in their culture and lingo will make you more comfortable as well as more memorable.
RECORD YOURSELF: Recording yourself using your phone or webcam is a very effective way to review your responses and improve your performance. Record yourself responding to the interview questions below that you feel are most relevant to your experience.
Then, analyze your recording and use it as an opportunity to become a stronger and more polished interviewee. Observe your body language and posture, notice if you are overusing filler words (like, um, etc.) and take notes on how you can improve your response and delivery.
Even if you encounter difficulties or stumble during your responses, it’s important to remain calm and finish your answer. Do not let a single misstep diminish your confidence or disrupt the flow of the interview. Train yourself to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and be able to move on in a productive way.
Think of it like dancing – just because you trip or miss a step doesn't mean you stop dancing mid-song. Similarly, think of a job interview as your song, and it's time to dance like your livelihood depends on it.
PRACTICE WITH A COACH: Investing in getting professional job interview coaching will increase your confidence and your chances of making to the next round of Amazon’s interview process.
The reward of securing a job offer, potentially worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, makes going through this arduous preparation process, sacrificing your time and putting in so much effort well worth it.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Problem-Solving
Tell me about a time you made a mistake that cost your company time and/or money.
Tell me about a time you had to make a decision where speed was critical.
Tell me about a time when you solved a problem in an innovative or creative way.
Tell me about a time when you had a deadline you were not able to meet.
Tell me about a decision you made based on your instincts, even if it went against the data or popular opinion.
Teamwork
Tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team.
Tell me about a time when you had difficulty working with other team members.
Tell me about a time when you had to delegate tasks to your team for a large project.
Tell me about a time you had to work with a colleague you did not get along with.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a colleague who was not contributing to a project as much as their teammates.
Conflict
Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict at work.
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone within the organization.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a very difficult client or partner.
Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected conflict at work.
Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your supervisor on how to accomplish something.
Projects
Tell me about a time you worked on a challenging team project.
Tell me about the most complex project you have worked on.
Tell me about a time when you could not complete a project.
Tell me about a time when you had a project that had to change drastically while it was in progress.
Tell me about a time when you had to handle a crisis during a project.
Failure
Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of stress and it negatively impacted your work.
Tell me about one thing you have done in your professional history that you wish you had handled differently.
Tell me about a major setback you have had. How did you deal with it?
Tell me about a time when you made a mistake that cost your company time and/or money.
Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a deadline.
Leadership
Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of pressure and how you handled it as a leader.
Tell me about a time when you were asked to perform a task or spearhead an initiative that went against your values.
Tell me about a time when you had to motivate an employee or team member during a challenging phase of a project.
Tell me about a time you used your leadership skills to help your team deal with a difficult challenge.
Tell me about a time when you had to change your leadership style to benefit a particular situation.
Keep Learning
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Ready to take your skills to the next level? Get The Ultimate Job Interview Guide for Non-Native Speakers to get all the tools you need to nail your next interview. Click here to get 30% off for a limited time only!