Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Amazon Services, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After a recruiter conversation, I eventually moved into the main interview loop with several interviewers. The behavioral portion was tightly connected to Amazon’s Leadership Principles, and each interviewer seemed to focus on different parts of my background. The technical discussions mixed in LeetCode-style coding and also more open-ended problem solving around how I made decisions—especially when requirements or information felt incomplete.
My process started with an online assessment. It wasn’t just coding—there were general technical scenarios and also multiple-choice behavioral questions grounded in Amazon’s values. After that, I got scheduled for a technical stage where I had to do real-time problem solving, and the experience leaned heavily on DSA-style thinking.
The interview process typically starts with an online assessment followed by a structured loop of interviews that can span several weeks to months. Candidates should be prepared for a mix of technical and behavioral interviews, often with multiple rounds in a single day or spread over several days.
Candidates can expect to face a variety of technical challenges, primarily focused on data structures and algorithms (DSA), with questions often drawn from LeetCode. The coding rounds may include both straightforward problems and more complex system design discussions, and performance under pressure is crucial.
Behavioral interviews are heavily tied to Amazon's Leadership Principles, with a strong emphasis on using the STAR method to articulate past experiences. Interviewers often probe deeply into responses, seeking clarity on decision-making and problem-solving approaches.
The overall difficulty of the interviews is described as high, with candidates often feeling the pressure to perform well in both technical and behavioral aspects. Many candidates report that even if they feel they performed adequately, the outcome may not lead to an offer, highlighting the competitive nature of the process.
Throughout the interviews, clear communication is essential, both in explaining technical solutions and in behavioral responses. Candidates are encouraged to articulate their thought processes and reasoning, as interviewers value clarity as much as correctness.
Many candidates reflect on the importance of thorough preparation, particularly in refreshing fundamentals and practicing coding problems. Some express regret over not having a clearer understanding of the expectations or not being more proactive in seeking feedback during the process.