Process
Applied online for the SDE role at AWS.
OA: 105 minutes with 2 coding problems & explanations for your code. Passed all tests and skipped the phone screening round.
VO: 4 rounds using Amazon Chime and Live Code whiteboard. One interviewer had a bad internet connection, and both of us needed to repeat again and again. Another interviewer had little knowledge of data structures and algorithms, or a very poor understanding, and kept asking me what a heap is. I answered three times and drew the graph, while the interviewer still didn't understand and was stuck on this question. That is hilarious. I was prepared to answer the questions of the interviewer, not to teach them. I could not imagine how a person was chosen as an interviewer for Amazon, asking about coding problems they wouldn't solve.
Solved all 4 coding problems and got a rejection on day 2 after VO with no feedback. HR said that providing feedback regarding the interview is against company policy. Their hiring process is "CONFIDENTIAL". Then I cannot say more, as I have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. One must not wish to get accused of leaking company confidential information for saying someone or something is stupid.
So, enjoy your 400-point plummet of stock in one day with your mysterious hiring and promoting process, Amazon.
Tips: Remember to TERMINATE Amazon Chime after the interview, as this software could totally mess up your internet connection and consume an incomprehensibly large amount of your computer's resources for no reason.
Questions
2 to 3 BQs, followed by OOD and algorithm coding problems. This lasts one hour in total for each round.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 271 interview experiences for the Amazon Software Development Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
Amazon's interview process for their Software Development Engineer roles in the United States is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Amazon's Software Development Engineer interview process in United States.
Amazon Work Experiences
- 2.0A decent place to work if all you want to do is workSoftware Development Engineer • Current EmployeeSeattle, Washington, United StatesSeptember 14, 2008Pros: There aren't too many rules or established ways of doing things, so if you're the type who wants to try out new things, write new code, or that kind of thing, you'd love it. You won't hear "no" as long as it doesn't cost the company money. If it doesn't cost any money, then you can do virtually anything you want. Probably half the cool stuff on our site comes from ideas people had and tried out on their own. It is definitely a good place for people without much else going on in their lives, because you're not going to have time for anything else.Cons: The hours are very long. Expect 12-hour days at a minimum, and you will work every weekend. They give everybody a laptop, so you can work at home. Some of that 12 hours is at home at night too. Everybody has a BlackBerry because it's expected that you be available at all times, even when you're on vacation. If you want work-life balance, start running in the other direction. It's basically an environment of working the person as hard as you can, for as long as you can. When they collapse and die, people say they just didn't have what it takes.
- 4.0Good environment, good challengesSoftware Development Engineer • Current EmployeeSeattle, Washington, United StatesAugust 28, 2017Pros: There are many different teams at Amazon with different cultures. You can always find a good one you like. There are many good tools I really like.Cons: In some teams, the live-work balance is bad. It just depends on the team.
- 5.0Great Learning, Poor BalanceSoftware Development Engineer • Current EmployeeJanuary 28, 2024Pros: Learning outcomes were remarkable and good.Cons: Work-life balance was not good.
Amazon Interview Questions
