Preparing for an Amazon interview and striving to stand out in behavioral rounds? This updated guide goes beyond the 50 most commonly reported Amazon behavioral interview questions to highlight the top mistakes candidates make—especially when using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format—and how to avoid them. With insights into Amazon’s Leadership Principles, this resource helps you craft responses that showcase your skills, experience, and cultural alignment. Learn how Kalena Advisors can help you refine your approach for success whether you’re applying for Product Management, Program Management, Engineering or Leadership roles.
Top Things People Do Wrong in Amazon Behavioral Interviews
- Overlooking Amazon Leadership Principles
- Mistake: Not aligning responses with Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles.
- Why it’s wrong: Amazon’s hiring process revolves around these principles. Failing to connect your examples with them may signal a poor cultural fit.
- Tip: Highlight 2-3 specific principles (e.g., Customer Obsession, Ownership) per example/story.
- Focusing on the Team Instead of Yourself
- Mistake: Using “we” instead of “I” and not emphasizing your individual contributions.
- Why it’s wrong: Amazon interviewers need to understand your unique role and impact.
- Tip: Articulate your personal contributions clearly, even in team-based scenarios.
- Failing to Quantify Results
- Mistake: Giving vague outcomes, such as “the project was successful,” without data or measurable results.
- Why it’s wrong: Amazon values data-driven decision-making, and specifics demonstrate impact.
- Tip: Include quantitative metrics (e.g., “Reduced costs by 15%” or “Improved process efficiency by 25%”).
- Getting Stuck in the Details
- Mistake: Spending too much time setting up the Situation or Task.
- Why it’s wrong: Excessive context wastes time and risks losing the interviewer’s attention.
- Tip: Be concise. Focus more on Actions and Results to demonstrate your value.
- Not Showing Ownership
- Mistake: Avoiding responsibility for failures or challenges.
- Why it’s wrong: Ownership is a core principle at Amazon. Avoiding accountability suggests a lack of integrity.
- Tip: Share lessons learned and actions taken to address mistakes, framing them as growth opportunities.
- Ignoring Follow-Up Questions
- Mistake: Failing to dive deeper into examples when probed.
- Why it’s wrong: Amazon interviewers expect candidates to “Dive Deep.” Superficial answers suggest a lack of preparedness.
- Tip: Be ready to expand on your examples with additional specifics. Mock interviews can help refine this skill.
With help from Kalena Advisors, you’ll approach your interview prepared, polished, and ready to excel. Book now for a free ($0) 15-minute consultation.
The top 50 questions asked in Amazon interviews:
Customer Obsession:
- Describe a situation where you went above and beyond for a customer.
- How have you utilized customer feedback to improve a product or service?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to balance customer needs with business requirements?
Ownership:
- Tell me about a time when you took ownership of a project outside your typical responsibilities.
- Describe an instance where you identified a business need and took the initiative to address it.
- Have you ever had to make a decision without sufficient data? How did you handle it?
Invent and Simplify:
- Share an experience where you developed an innovative solution to a complex problem.
- How have you simplified a process to increase efficiency?
- Describe a time when you challenged the status quo to drive improvement.
Are Right, A Lot:
- Provide an example of a decision you made based on your judgment that was later validated.
- Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision with limited information.
- Have you ever been wrong in a professional setting? How did you handle it?
Learn and Be Curious:
- Tell me about a new skill or technology you’ve recently learned.
- How do you stay updated with industry trends and advancements?
- Describe a time when your curiosity led you to make a significant improvement at work.
Hire and Develop the Best:
- Share an experience where you mentored a colleague to achieve their goals.
- How do you identify and cultivate talent within your team?
- Describe a time when you had to provide constructive feedback to a team member.
Insist on the Highest Standards:
- Give an example of when you refused to compromise on quality.
- How do you ensure your work meets high standards?
- Describe a situation where you identified a defect in a process and how you addressed it.
Think Big:
- Tell me about a time when you proposed a visionary idea.
- How have you encouraged your team to think outside the box?
- Describe an ambitious goal you set and how you achieved it.
Bias for Action:
- Provide an example of a time when you made a swift decision without compromising quality.
- How do you balance the need for action with the need for thorough analysis?
- Describe a situation where you took the initiative to solve a problem without waiting for direction.
Frugality:
- Share an experience where you delivered results with limited resources.
- How do you ensure cost-effectiveness in your projects?
- Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision to cut costs.
Earn Trust:
- Tell me about a time when you had to build trust with a skeptical stakeholder.
- How do you handle situations where your integrity is challenged?
- Describe an instance where you had to admit a mistake to maintain trust.
Dive Deep:
- Provide an example of a complex problem you solved by analyzing the details.
- How do you balance attention to detail with the need to meet deadlines?
- Describe a situation where your deep understanding of a process led to a significant improvement.
Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit:
- Share an experience where you disagreed with a superior and how you handled it.
- Describe a time when you advocated for a position despite opposition.
- How do you approach situations where you need to support a decision you initially disagreed with?
Deliver Results:
- Tell me about a time when you successfully delivered a project under a tight deadline.
- How do you ensure you meet your objectives consistently?
- Describe a situation where you overcame obstacles to achieve a goal.
Additional Behavioral Questions:
- How do you handle ambiguity in the workplace?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change at work.
- How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple deadlines?
- Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with a difficult team member.
- How do you manage stress during high-pressure situations?
- Describe an instance where you had to learn from failure.
- How do you handle situations where you have to work with limited guidance?
- Tell me about a time when you had to persuade others to accept your idea.