Amazon Hiring/Interview process MEGATHREAD (Seattle: rated, warm, to work)

[RVD90277]

I also didn't know anyone. They found me on linkedin and contacted me. I did my phone interviews and onsite and eventually got the job.

[jengostar]

I also had a question regarding this interview process. Did you get an offer right away when they contacted you (compensation details) or did they just tell you an offer was in the works and then give you the actual details later on down the road? Thanks dudes.

[southking500]

I'm not sure why Amazon is your dream company, I worked there and for me it was a nightmare company. There was always a strange, cult-like vibe present. You are expected to give 150% and they are not kidding. No matter what you must never waiver in professing your adoration for Amazon and your awe of the wisdom of the saintly "Jeff".

I worked with some nice people but this company attracts more than its share of nutcases, many of them in management ...oops I mean "leadership". You never know who is really in charge and expect to receive dozens of emails for multiple "leaders" giving contradictory orders. But don't question it! Just keep smiling and mouthing Amazon buzzwords and you will be ok. If a manager detects even a whiff of dissatisfaction, the process begins to push you out the door and there is no stopping it.
While some people thrived on being "Amazonians" (that term gives me the creeps), I suspect quite a few were faking it because they knew what happened to those that don't.

I had high hopes when I started there but in the end found Amazon to be dehumanizing.
Believe it or not, I even feel a little nervous posting this because I know how aggressive this company can be with anyone and anything that gets in its way. They have people monitoring message boards including this one no doubt, always on the lookout for anything negative about Amazon. I've seen entire stories about Amazon mysteriously disappear from the Seattle Times when public comments were breaking against them.

[seattlenextyear]

Oh brother. If you start working there and don't like it, it's so easy to jump ship. Microsoft, Google, Expedia, etc. aggressively recruit people who already work at Amazon. If you're miserable, just reply back to a recruiter call and leave. You don't have to be all weird about it.

Originally Posted by southking500

I'm not sure why Amazon is your dream company, I worked there and for me it was a nightmare company. There was always a strange, cult-like vibe present. You are expected to give 150% and they are not kidding. No matter what you must never waiver in professing your adoration for Amazon and your awe of the wisdom of the saintly "Jeff".

I worked with some nice people but this company attracts more than its share of nutcases, many of them in management ...oops I mean "leadership". You never know who is really in charge and expect to receive dozens of emails for multiple "leaders" giving contradictory orders. But don't question it! Just keep smiling and mouthing Amazon buzzwords and you will be ok. If a manager detects even a whiff of dissatisfaction, the process begins to push you out the door and there is no stopping it.
While some people thrived on being "Amazonians" (that term gives me the creeps), I suspect quite a few were faking it because they knew what happened to those that don't.

I had high hopes when I started there but in the end found Amazon to be dehumanizing.
Believe it or not, I even feel a little nervous posting this because I know how aggressive this company can be with anyone and anything that gets in its way. They have people monitoring message boards including this one no doubt, always on the lookout for anything negative about Amazon. I've seen entire stories about Amazon mysteriously disappear from the Seattle Times when public comments were breaking against them.

[southking500]

Gee thanks for the valuable free advice seattlenextyear. Surprisingly, I am already aware of how to leave a job I don't like.
Your comment "you don't have to be all weird about it" tells me you have already partaken of the Kool-Aid. Good job! Uncle Jeff will be proud of you standing up for the company, maybe leadership will award you one of those nifty icons to put on your employee page and an Amazon gift card!
Amazonian eyes are everywhere.

[seattlenextyear]

Originally Posted by southking500

Gee thanks for the valuable free advice seattlenextyear. Surprisingly, I am already aware of how to leave a job I don't like.
Your comment "you don't have to be all weird about it" tells me you have already partaken of the Kool-Aid. Good job! Uncle Jeff will be proud of you standing up for the company, maybe leadership will award you one of those nifty icons to put on your employee page and an Amazon gift card!
Amazonian eyes are everywhere.

Lol, no, I'm a lowly state employee. Try again!

And by "weird" I meant "incredibly paranoid".

[greywolf0616]

I keep hearing the salaries are on the high side at Amazon, wondering what range we're talking here, for mid level positions let's say...

[shaylahc]

For mid level, I'd say 70-90. Just remember the cost of living is crazy high here, so that money wont go very far.

[jmalfet]

Hi!

I just had my second phone interview with Amazon for a Brand Specialist/Manager position. The interviewer asked questions around how I currently analyze things in my current work place, and I gave what I think are good answers.

At the end of the interview, I asked what the timeline was to hire, and he gave an answer like "I'll defer you to TJ, our recruiter". I also asked what the next steps for me were, and he said that "I made some notes, and will pass them on to TJ. TJ will be reaching out within a week to let you know". I asked if he was going to recommend that I move forward, and he said he doesn't disclose that information to anyone, regardless of their status.

In any other experience I've had, the phone interviewer usually tells you if you're moving forward. I know Amazon is not like other companies, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had this same experience?

Thanks!

[TheKiwi]

This person probably has absolutely no say or swing with hiring and they simply do the 1st interview to weed people out. Don't be discouraged and just wait it out.