Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Amazon, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I went through an OA-style loop that leaned heavily into a specific weakness: LP. The coding questions weren’t what worried me most—those were relatively straightforward LeetCode-style problems. But they drilled me hard on linear programming scenarios, spending about half an hour on LP and another half hour on coding questions that were similar in spirit to LeetCode. The pattern repeated across two rounds, so it wasn’t a one-off topic. What surprised me was how focused it was; the experience left me feeling like preparation for multiple LP scenarios mattered as much as raw coding practice.
I began with an online assessment, and then the rest of the process became a virtual onsite with multiple rounds. The onsite wasn’t just interviews as separate, isolated checks—it felt like a continuous loop where I kept switching modes between coding, system design, and behavioral questions. Interviewers also dug into my prior experience and the projects I’d worked on, so I wasn’t only judged on solving questions; I had to clearly explain my background and decisions. The difficulty landed on the tougher side, and the whole thing felt like it was designed to stress my breadth across engineering and communication.
The interview process begins with an online assessment that typically includes a mix of coding questions, behavioral evaluations, and sometimes AI-related tasks. Candidates should prepare for medium-to-hard DSA problems and be ready to articulate their thought processes clearly.
Candidates can expect multiple technical interviews that cover a range of topics including data structures, algorithms, system design, and object-oriented programming. The interviews often require not just correct solutions but also clear explanations of reasoning and trade-offs.
Behavioral interviews are a significant component, focusing on Amazon's Leadership Principles. Candidates should prepare to discuss past experiences in detail, using frameworks like STAR to structure their responses effectively.
The interview process is typically structured as a continuous loop with back-to-back interviews, blending technical and behavioral questions. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced environment that tests both technical skills and communication abilities.
Overall, the interview experience is described as challenging, with a focus on both technical depth and behavioral fit under time pressure. Candidates should be ready for an intense evaluation that tests their ability to think clearly and perform under stress.
Candidates often wish they had focused more on specific areas like linear programming scenarios or had practiced articulating their thought processes more clearly. Preparing for a variety of technical topics and behavioral scenarios is crucial.