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Amazon Interview Guide

Leadership Principles are the entire rubric. Every answer must map to an LP.

Interview Process

5-7 rounds including Bar Raiser. The Bar Raiser is an independent evaluator who can block any offer. Each interviewer is assigned specific LPs to probe. Written feedback is submitted before debrief discussion. Debrief is typically 60-90 minutes with all interviewers.

1
Phone Screen60 min

Recruiter screen + 2 LP behavioral questions

2
Hiring Manager60 min

Team fit, role clarity, 3-4 LP questions

3
Loop Round 160 min

Customer Obsession, Ownership, Deliver Results

4
Loop Round 260 min

Dive Deep, Are Right A Lot, Invent & Simplify

5
Loop Round 360 min

Hire & Develop the Best, Think Big, Earn Trust

6
Bar Raiser60 min

Culture fit + LPs your team didn't cover; can veto offer

7
Coding (SDM)45 min

LeetCode Easy-Medium in TypeScript/Python

Most Asked Questions

1. Tell me about a time you made a decision with incomplete information.

LP: Are Right, A Lot

2. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a customer.

LP: Customer Obsession

3. Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?

LP: Learn and Be Curious

4. Tell me about a time you simplified a complex process or system.

LP: Invent and Simplify

5. Describe a time you had to deliver results under difficult constraints.

LP: Deliver Results

6. Tell me about a time you hired or developed a high-performing team member.

LP: Hire and Develop the Best

7. Describe a time you disagreed with your manager and what you did.

LP: Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit

Interview Tips

  • Use "I" not "we" — the Bar Raiser wants YOUR specific contribution
  • Quantify every answer: metrics, percentages, dollar impact, time saved
  • Prepare 2+ stories per LP — interviewers may probe the same LP twice
  • Recent examples preferred (within 2-3 years)
  • The Bar Raiser's sole job is to assess culture fit — they are not from your team
  • LP stories should show growth trajectory — they want to see how you've leveled up

2025 Compensation Bands

SDM L6 (Manager)

Base: $185-215K

Total: $380-480K (incl. RSU + signing)

SDM L7 (Sr Manager)

Base: $220-260K

Total: $500-700K (incl. RSU + signing)

Principal SDM L8

Base: $270-320K

Total: $800K-1.2M+ (incl. RSU)

*Ranges vary by location, experience, and negotiation. Source: levels.fyi + recent reports.

What They Really Evaluate

  • Willingness to own failure publicly — blameless post-mortems are standard
  • Comfort working backward from the customer (PR/FAQ process)
  • Data-driven decision making — "How do you know?"
  • Frugality mindset — achieving more with less headcount/budget
  • Long-term thinking despite quarterly pressure

Candidacy Killers

  • Saying "we" without specifying your role — sounds like you're hiding something
  • Blaming others for failures without owning your part
  • Stories without metrics or quantifiable impact
  • Disagreeing with LP philosophy instead of engaging with it
  • Being passive about the "disagree and commit" scenario — must show backbone