Almost everyone uses Amazon, whether it be for holiday shopping or purchasing daily-use products at a low cost. And because it’s such a successful and influential company, Amazon also tends to attract a wide number of talented and qualified employees. If you want to land a well-paying tech job with great benefits, you might be wondering how to get a job at Amazon.
In order to succeed in the hiring process at Amazon, you’ll need to take the time to learn about the company’s background, prepare for the interview process, and ensure you meet the requirements of the role. In this guide, we cover any advice you may need to know about how to work at Amazon. Additionally, you might consider investing in a good laptop to prepare for your job search and interviews.
Key Takeaways
- Working at Amazon can offer good pay and generous benefits, such as health insurance and paid maternity leave.
- The application process involves applying online through their employment portal and submitting your qualifications, including a resume. Amazon does not accept cover letters.
- The interview process at Amazon may include behavioral-based interviews as well as technical questions and assessments. Salary negotiation can occur during the interview process.
- Programming experience and professional experience are common requirements for software development and other roles at Amazon. Candidates must have impressive technical skills, relevant work experience, and familiarity with Amazon’s leadership principles.
- If applying for a developer position, it’s recommended to review computer science basics to prepare for the interview process.
- Some popular job opportunities at Amazon include DevOps engineer, data engineer, systems development engineer, software development engineer, and systems development engineer.
Amazon: Company Background
Back in 1994, Jeff Bezos started an online bookselling marketplace called Amazon from his garage. The company quickly expanded and began selling all sorts of products, including electronics, furniture, clothing, toys, and even food. In 1997, the company went public.
By 1998, Amazon was already operating internationally by purchasing books and music from international retailers. By 2015, Amazon had become so popular that the company managed to surpass Walmart as the most valuable retailer in the United States. Then, in 2017, Amazon further expanded its empire by purchasing Whole Foods.
Today, it’s rare to find a person who does not use Amazon or Amazon Prime services. With options for two-day shipping, millions of products, and the ability to easily have purchases shipped across the country, it is no surprise that Amazon is such a successful company.
How to Get a Job at Amazon
As it’s one of the largest companies in the world, it can be very difficult to get a job at Amazon. You’ll be up against very qualified and experienced applicants. However, there are currently thousands of open tech jobs, so with the right combination of dedication, motivation, education, and experience, getting hired at Amazon is very possible.
Below, we’ll explore the application and interview process to give you a better idea of how to get a job at Amazon. We also detail some of the most common education and professional requirements for open positions.
Requirements to Join Amazon
The requirements to work for Amazon vary depending on what level you’re applying for. You do not necessarily need a bachelor’s degree for entry-level roles or IT apprenticeships, though you will need an impressive resume with evidence of your technical skills. Experience as an intern can help strengthen your resume.
Common Amazon requirements to work in software development roles include programming experience in Java, C++, or C#, as well as two years of professional experience in the field. For managerial and mid-level positions, you may be required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Prospective employees will also go through a background check before being hired as well.
Applying for a Job at Amazon
The process of applying for a job starts with visiting the company’s website. You can search for jobs on the Amazon site based on department, location, and other categories, or you can go through the Best Fit Job Match option. This allows you to input your information and get matched with multiple roles across various teams. This speeds up the process of applying for Amazon jobs.
While filling out the online application, be sure to have all appropriate materials ready. You will likely need to have your education and work experience, as well as a list of all your qualifications for the position. Amazon does not accept cover letters in their application, but while a resume is not strictly required to apply, it is strongly recommended—particularly with keywords from the job posting. You might also find it helpful to brush up your LinkedIn profile as well, for an additional chance to demonstrate your background and skills.
Amazon hires based on your answers to the online tests and interview questions asked during the hiring process. Whether you apply for a delivery service, customer service role, sales/marketing, or tech position, you’ll have to go through behavioral-based interviews to get the job. This is why it’s important to stand out against other candidates.
Amazon Interview Process
After filling out the Amazon job application online, you’ll need to pass the interview process. If they’re interested, an Amazon recruiter will reach out and ask you to complete at least one online assessment. If you pass this test, you’ll be contacted for a phone interview.
Your first Amazon job interview will include behavioral questions related to the company’s leadership principles. The phone interview might also include technical questions, so make sure you review computer science fundamentals if you’re applying for a tech role. Some sample behavioral Amazon job interview questions include:
- Tell us about a time you had to solve a problem with many possible solutions. What was the outcome of your decision?
- What are your leadership skills, and how do you motivate others?
- Have you ever taken the lead on a project?
- Tell us about a time you took a risk or made a mistake. How did you respond to this setback?
After the phone interview, you’ll sit for at least one in-person interview. There will be a mix of behavioral and technical questions, and you might meet with anywhere between two and seven interviewers from different departments, depending on the role. Each Amazon job interview lasts around 45 minutes. All technical roles require white board interview questions.
Amazon Skills Tests and Assessments
Before you get to the in-person interview stage, though, you will need to fill out at least one Amazon assessment test. The most common include a work style assessment and a work sample simulation. Amazon coding assessments are also common for technical roles. These tests are almost always virtual, and often come with a very strict deadline and time limit.
Amazon Salary Negotiations
Amazon salary negotiation often occurs during the interview process. Your salary is dependent on your role as well as your level within that role, which is determined by your experience and interview performance.
Once you’ve been scheduled for an interview, you can ask what level you are being considered for. To negotiate your salary at Amazon, you can advocate for yourself in your interview if you feel like you are qualified for a higher level.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at Amazon?
It is hard to get a job at Amazon, especially in a technical role. Since Amazon is such a large company, it can be a very competitive job market. There is quite an intense job application and interview process, so you will need to find a way to stand out to the hiring managers.
Although it can be harder to get a job at Amazon than it is to land a career at other large companies like Costco, it is totally possible. By taking the time to ensure the qualities you possess will put you ahead of other candidates and preparing properly for the interview process, you can increase your chances of getting hired.
What’s It Like to Work at Amazon?
There are conflicting opinions when it comes to working at Amazon, but the consensus is that employees receive good pay, decent benefits, and prestige. Though there are many benefits of working at Amazon, some employees say it is difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Below, we detail what it is like to work at Amazon.
Good Pay
Even for part-time delivery drivers, Amazon pays employees well. In 2018, Amazon raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour, though for most of the higher positions, the pay is even higher than this.
Amazon employees can earn this generous minimum wage whether they are part-time, full-time, temporary, seasonal, or even Whole Foods employees. In technical roles, such as engineer or data scientist, you will earn a great deal more.
Generous Benefits
Full-time employees at Amazon enjoy generous benefits. For starters, all employees have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as the option of a 401(k) retirement plan. Employees also have access to skills training programs through nine free upskilling programs.
One of the other benefits of working for Amazon is the paid maternity leave. Women are given up to 20 weeks of paid time off for maternity leave, six weeks parental leave is available for adoptive or non-birth parents, and parents get free access to a network of millions of caregivers when it comes time to return to work.
Prestigious Job Title
Perhaps the best reason for many to work at Amazon is simply for the prestigious job title. Since Amazon is such a giant company, being able to say you work for or have worked for the giant ecommerce company is a big achievement.
For those who see getting a job at Amazon as a stepping stone on the way to their true dream job, it can be especially important to hold a prestigious job title. Being able to list Amazon as a previous or even a current employer on a resume is a great way to achieve your professional dreams.
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Amazon Careers: Job Titles and Descriptions
There are hundreds of open positions at Amazon at any given time. You can find internships, part-time work, and work-from-home jobs. Below, we provide more detailed information about some of the most common and most desired job opportunities at Amazon. Any of the following Amazon careers will provide you with a high salary and great benefits.
DevOps Engineer
- Median Salary: $195,0001
- Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, PTO
- Required Experience: 4+ years of experience in software development or technical support; experience scripting in modern program languages, troubleshooting and debugging technical systems, using agile/scrum or related collaborative workflow, and dealing with customers for problem resolution
As an Amazon DevOps engineer, you will spend your workdays collaborating with other Amazon teams to solve cloud-based solutions. You will need previous DevOps experience to work at this level, and will likely be in charge of leading small initiatives in addition to assisting on large projects.
Data Engineer
- Median Salary: $214,0002
- Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, PTO
- Required Experience: 3+ years experience in data engineering; proficiency in SQL; experience in data modeling and least one modern scripting or programming language such as Python, Java, Scala, or NodeJS
Amazon data engineers work toward both customer and internal satisfaction. This involves working on new features and products to improve the customer and seller experience on the Amazon site, creating a seamless hiring process and employment experience for human resources, and more.
Systems Development Engineer
- Median Salary: $228,0003
- Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, PTO
- Required Experience: 1+ years experience designing or architecting new and existing systems; 4+ years of administrative engineering experience; experience with large-scale infrastructure, at least one modern programming language, Linux/Unix, and CI/CD pipelines build processes
The primary responsibility of a systems development engineer at Amazon is to work with team leaders to refine technical direction. You will use your programming and DevOps experience to review and innovate code to find ways to streamline processes. Some professionals in this role work on a hybrid schedule, making it a promising option if you are looking for Amazon remote careers.
Software Development Engineer
- Median Salary: $217,0004
- Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, PTO
- Required Experience: 3+ years experience of non-internship software development; 2+ years experience of non-internship design or architecture of new and existing systems; experience programming with at least one software programming language
To land a job as a software development engineer at Amazon, it’s preferred that you have at least a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. You will likely be mentoring junior software engineers and developers, so you’ll need leadership experience. To be considered, you’ll need to be very proficient in every aspect of the software development lifecycle.
Systems Development Engineer
- Median Salary: $228,0005
- Benefits: 401(k), health insurance, PTO
- Required Experience: 3+ years experience of systems development; experience in automating, deploying, and supporting infrastructure; experience in at least one modern programming language and Linux/Unix
The primary duty of a SysDev engineer is to work on systems that improve the customer experience. You’ll wear several hats while identifying areas of improvement and troubleshooting issues. This Amazon career requires excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at Amazon?
To get a job at Amazon, you’ll need very impressive technical skills and relevant work experience. Even entry-level roles and internships can be highly competitive. However, if you can pass the rounds of rigorous interviews and assessments, you will be able to reap the benefits of having the status of Amazon employee.
To help you get an idea of what it takes to get a job at Amazon, the company lists detailed information about its interview processes—including sample interview questions—on its website. Make sure you know exactly what is expected of you and come prepared. Review computer science basics and make sure you’re familiar with Amazon’s leadership principles.
How to Get a Job at Amazon: FAQ
The Amazon sign-on bonus incentivizes workers to apply for warehouse and delivery positions. The exact amount and time frame vary depending on your location and job title. Generally, Amazon sign-on bonus installments are paid out after your first and third monthly paycheck.
How old do you have to be to work at Amazon?
You have to be at least 18 years old to work for Amazon, even in internship or part-time positions. Amazon requires that all workers have completed high school or have earned their GED.
How many people work for Amazon?
In 2024, over 1.5 million people worked for Amazon, according to the company’s most recent employment data.6 This number generally grows during the holiday season, when Amazon services are in high demand.
How long is a seasonal job at Amazon?
Amazon seasonal jobs generally start in November and end in the beginning of January. However, if you show good work ethic and dedication, you may be hired full-time, albeit possibly with a probationary period.
Sources
1https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Amazon-Devops-Engineer-Salaries-E6036_D_KO7,22.htm
2https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Amazon-Data-Engineer-Salaries-E6036_D_KO7,20.htm
3https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Amazon-Systems-Development-Engineer-Salaries-E6036_D_KO7,35.htm
4https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Amazon-Software-Development-Engineer-Salaries-E6036_D_KO7,36.htm
5https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Amazon-Systems-Development-Engineer-Salaries-E6036_D_KO7,35.htm
6https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/AMZN/amazon/number-of-employees
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