This is my experience with Amazon software engineer interview. Even though I didn’t get the offer, but I went through the whole process: phone interview and on-site interview. I think the experience is valuable to share with.
Interview process. 2 weeks.
Dec, 2nd. Got noticed for the phone call interview
Dec, 5th. Phone call interview
Dec, 8th. Got noticed to have on-site interview in Seattle
Dec, 12th. On-site interview
Dec, 16th. Got rejected.
Dec, 2nd. Got noticed for the phone call interview
I got phone call that I will prepare for the phone call interview. HR told me that 3 departments are interesed in me and asked me which one am I intersted in. I chose 2 of them.
Dec, 5th. Phone call interview
In the afternoon, I got the phone call on time. There are 5 questions. 4 of them are very basic knowledge for data structure, very easy. Last one is a coding question. I got link from Amazon, and should code in codepair.hackerrank.com. I couldn’t think up with the solution. Interviewer showed me the trick of it, and asked me can you write it now? I thought a little bit, and write the solution.
Dec, 8th. Got noticed to have on-site interview in Seattle
I got the email saying I was invited for the on-site interview in Seattle. I contacted the Amazon and booked the ticket and hotel. They are very nice to grant me for staying in Seattle for 3 nights! And I have chance to hang out in Seattle. Thank you Amazon!
Dec, 12th. On-site interview
I arrived the Amazon HQ. Firstly, I talked with HR. She asked me why Amazon, salary expectations etc. 2 HRs are very nice and friendly. It’s more like a casual chat.
There are 5 interviews. I coded on white board for each interview. After the coding, engineers will ask me some open questions. I guess Amazon chose people not only by their coding ability, but also your personal characteristics. The five coding problem are pretty easy to me, I came up with all solutions. And I was very confident to get the offer.
Dec, 16th. Got rejected.
After the weekend, on the next Tuesday, I was emailed that I got rejected. I asked why, the HR wouldn’t let out any details. Very sad…
Interview tips
1. Keywords for the interview includes: HashMap, Linklist, dynamic programming, archeticture design, time/space complexity
2. Do exercise on geeksforgeeks. G4G really helps a lot for the interview!
3. Fully understand the question. It is necessary to fully understand what interviewer ask you. You should ask back if the question is not clear to you.
4. Write code professionally, don’t expect to write pseudo-code.
Summary
Amazon interview alrealdy passed for 2 months. The interview process is pretty fast and efficient. Engineers are very friendly. Seattle is a very modern, beautiful city. The technical questions are not hard to me. I don’t understand the reason for being rejected. I think that I don’t have work experience could be one of the reason. Not sure. On the same day, there was another guy from Microsoft having the interview too. Compared to him, my experience seems more listless.
