5 min. read
Jan. 3, 2025
10 ways to excel in your AWS in-person interview
How to set yourself up for a smooth and confident interview experience.
By the Life at AWS team
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AWS recruiters are reflecting on some of the key differences between in-person vs. virtual interviews as some teams are choosing to return to the in-person format.
Recruiters say some of the key benefits of in-person interviews are that they allow for more natural interactions, non-verbal communication, and a firsthand experience of the company culture, but they also require specific preparation to ensure you present your best self.
In this post, AWS recruiters share nine essential tips to help you excel in your in-person interview.
1.
Master Amazon’s Leadership Principles
At the core of Amazon's culture and hiring process are our Leadership Principles (LPs). These guiding principles shape how we work, solve problems, and make decisions. In every interview, regardless of the role or level, candidates are assessed on their alignment with these principles. (Note: You won’t typically know which LP the interviewer is focusing on in their questions.)
Sree Natarajan, a senior technical recruiter, emphasizes the importance of showcasing your command of the LPs in an in-person setting: “The in-person environment is a great opportunity to connect with your interviewers and understand their questions,” he said. “Connect with the interviewers, dive deep, understand the interviewer mindset, and collaborate with them to provide optimal responses.”
To prepare, thoroughly review each Leadership Principle and reflect on specific examples from your experience that demonstrate these qualities. Remember, at Amazon, leadership isn't about your job title – it's about how you approach your work and influence others.
2.
Practice your STAR stories
Amazon engages in behavioral-based interviewing through the STAR (situation, task, action, and result) method, which is the format in which all questions should be answered. Recruiters share that good STAR method answers are concise, to the point, and clearly structured. To put it bluntly: don’t ramble.
“Use one narrative for each Leadership Principle in the STAR format and communicate them with data and specifics,” Natarajan said. “Keep it simple and to the point and let the interviewers ask follow-up questions.”
Senior Technical Recruiter Josh Sacks also recommends practicing your anecdotes and LP stories before interview day: “Rehearse with family and be comfortable sharing your stories live and in person. It will help ease any pressure.”
The STAR method is crucial for Amazon interviews because it provides a structured way to showcase your experience and skills while demonstrating your proficiency in the Leadership Principles. This format helps interviewers clearly understand the context, your specific actions, and the measurable results of your experiences. By using this method, you ensure that your answers are concise, relevant, and impactful, giving interviewers the specific information they need to assess your fit for the role and Amazon's culture.
3.
Practice professional etiquette
Jordyn Kirchgessner, a technical recruiter, said the COVID remote-work era led to some unprofessional habits.
“Practice and be aware of common professional etiquette,” she said.
Ward also highlights the significance of body language and eye contact during in-person interviews: "Making eye contact is crucial. You should also show confidence and be positive about the prospect of joining AWS."
4.
Leverage the in-person format
Senior Technical Recruiter Dan Hunt points out the benefit of in-person interactions: "It provides the opportunity to have a natural interview experience with an interactive flow, including non-verbal cues which are a critical part of communicating. It’s a great opportunity for both the interviewer and candidate to have a more authentic interaction."
In addition to preparing questions to ask interviews in advance (see below tip), Hunt also suggests using the more natural flow of dialogue in person to ask questions to ensure that Amazon is a good fit for you.
An in-person setting also creates an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills or ability to think under pressure, said Swati Aggarwal, a senior technical recruiter. It’s a great opportunity to shine and deliver a holistic view of your technical skills, interpersonal skills, and command of Amazon’s Leadership Principles, she said.
5.
Be yourself
AWS offers an inclusive working environment for builders from all backgrounds and celebrates diversity as an important part of our business and culture.
Stephanie Ward, a technical recruiter, emphasizes the importance of authenticity: "Be yourself, be confident, and be positive and open to feedback."
This recruiter advice also extends to your wardrobe choice for the day. Hunt added that it’s important to dress professionally, but also authentically and comfortably: “Be confident and be your authentic self, which includes dressing as your authentic self. We value individuality at Amazon and we highly encourage you to interview in what makes you comfortable.”
6.
Be ready to think on your feet
Suzie Bastian, a senior technical recruiter, cautions: "We love when folks prepare, but interviewing in person may mean that you need to spend more time studying and preparing to think on your feet rather than falling back to notes you may have taken ahead of time."
In a virtual setting, interviewers can’t always tell when a candidate could be relying heavily on notes or generative AI.
“In an in-person environment, we can see your true innovative “Think Big” ideas and there is no question about the process of how you got to your answers,“ Stevens said.
Sacks also points out that in-person interviews remove the element of distraction that you might have at home. He sees this is something to leverage: “Virtually, emails and alerts pop up, kids run in, dogs bark, and doorbells ring. In-person, a candidate can concentrate on the interviewer in front of them. Additionally, the candidate gets to see the office, the energy, the location, and the vibe that they won’t see on a screen.”
"Take it all in! This is your chance to see our space, and to look around at the culture and diversity of our employees. You can really visualize what your days would be like when you are in an office setting. The in-person format may feel foreign after so many years, but there is so much value in sitting down with someone in the work setting you may soon join."
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Suzie Bastian, senior technical recruiter
7.
Take in the AWS culture
Bastian encourages candidates to make the most of the in-person experience by observing the culture and imagining yourself working in an AWS office.
"Take it all in! This is your chance to see our space, and to look around at the culture and diversity of our employees. You can really visualize what your days would be like when you are in an office setting, rather than viewing a small frame of someone in a virtual meeting room. You can also capitalize on chatting it up with other people you meet at the front desk, in transit, or even your lunch buddy. The in-person format may feel foreign after so many years, but there is so much value in sitting down with someone in the work setting you may soon join."
8.
Be ready to demonstrate your technical skills
Technical Recruiter Yin Fu said candidates should be comfortable doing whiteboard coding, or another type of assessment demonstration relevant to the role, in front of people.
“Onsite whiteboard coding will involve more discussions potentially, which might enable the interviewers to understand candidates' problem-solving process with the help of face-to-face communication,” she said. “Candidates can also make use of the whiteboards for any tech discussions they have, not just the coding sessions. Some science application questions could be solved during some diagram presentations on the whiteboard. I encourage more creative demonstrations if the candidate is comfortable doing so.”
9.
Ask questions
Interviews are a two-way street: you are interviewing Amazon just as Amazon is interviewing you.
“Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more from each of the people you are interacting with throughout the process,” Hunt said. “Take the time to thoroughly prepare: do your research, practice, and take notes, including taking the time to write down questions for each of your interviewers.”
10.
Arrive early and prepared
You don’t want to find out 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time that the nearest parking option is full and you have to park 10 minutes away.
“Plan to arrive nice and early to avoid any unexpected delays and give time to compose yourself,” Aggarwal said. “Bring extra copies of your resume, a notepad, and a pen, along with any portfolio of work that is relevant to the position.”
Preparing for an AWS in-person interview?
Don't miss our post featuring the 7 most important logistical preparation tips from AWS recruiters.
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