Is It Easy to Get Into Amazon
Everyone uses Amazon, whether it be for holiday shopping or purchasing daily-use products at a low cost. Whatever you use Amazon for, it is easy to say this company has radically changed people's opinions about learning eCommerce and using online shopping platforms. It only makes sense that you want to learn how to get a job at Amazon.
By taking the time to learn about Amazon's background, what the application and interview process is like, and the requirements of a few desirable positions within the company, you can prepare yourself for a job with the company. In this guide, we cover everything you'll need to be fully prepared.
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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. In 2002, Amazon Web Services was developed to provide website data and statistics for marketers, and in 2006, Amazon Web Services was expanded to include a cloud. In 2006, Amazon also started its Fulfilment by Amazon project, which manages inventory and small businesses Amazon works with.
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.
With the popularity of online shopping growing over the years, it was no surprise to hear Jeff Bezos announce over 100 million people had subscribed to Amazon Prime in 2018.
Today, it is 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.
What's It Like to Work at Amazon?
There are conflicting opinions when it comes to working for Amazon, but the consensus is that employees receive good pay, decent benefits, and prestige from the title of "Amazon employee."
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 for the Whole Foods employees. As an engineer or data scientist, you can earn even more.
Generous Benefits
For Amazon's full-time employees, you can enjoy a bunch of generous benefits. For starters, all employees have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance. You will also be given the option of a 401(k) retirement plan.
One of the other awesome 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 for adoptive or non-birth parents, and free access to a network of millions of caregivers for 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 eCommerce company is a big achievement.
For those who see 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 dreams.
Getting a Job at Amazon
Getting a job at Amazon is very competitive and it can be quite a challenge to earn the position you are aiming for. However, there are over 20,000 job positions available with the giant company and it is definitely possible to land your dream job.
With the right combination of dedication, motivation, education, and experience, you can score an Amazon job in no time. It may take a bit of hard work, but if you are willing to work for it, you'll be able to make it happen.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at Amazon?
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 difficult to land an Amazon company job, it is totally possible. By taking the time to ensure the qualities you possess will put you ahead of other candidates, you can practically guarantee a position with the company.
Applying for a Job at Amazon
Since Amazon is a company with employees all over the world, the best way to secure a job with the company is by applying online. You can navigate the company's website to find the job position you would like to apply for, and begin by filling out the appropriate application online.
While filling out your job 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 hires based on your responses to the online assessments and interview questions asked during the hiring process. Whether you apply for a delivery service, customer service, or technological position, you will have to go through behavioral-based interviews to get the job. This is why it is important to stand out against other candidates.
Amazon Application and Interview Process
After filling out the application online, you'll need to pass the interview process. The first step in the process is filling out an application online. After this, you will be reached out to by an Amazon recruiter and asked to complete an online data analysis test. If you pass this test, you will move on to the next round.
The next step of the interview process is a phone interview. Assuming you successfully pass this interview, you will be contacted yet again and flown out to one of the Amazon locations to meet with the hiring managers. You will then have to complete a series of up to five in-person interviews that take around 45 minutes each.
During these interviews, you will be asked leadership interview questions related to their 14 leadership principles: customer obsession, ownership, invent and simplify, are right a lot, learn and be curious, hire and develop the best, insist on the highest standards, think big, bias for action, frugality, earn trust, deep-dive, have a backbone, and deliver results. If you successfully meet all 14 of these leadership principles, you will either be offered or denied a position.
Amazon Careers: Job Titles and Descriptions
There are hundreds of open positions at Amazon at any given time, but there are a few highly desirable positions you can use to build the future you have always dreamt of. Becoming a DevOps architect, database engineer, systems development engineer, or software development engineer at Amazon can be a great career move.
DevOps Architect
- Salary: Approximately $140,000 per year
- Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO, work with a great team
- Level: Entry to Intermediate
- Required Experience: Previous work as a technical specialist, experience using Chef, Puppet, Salt, and Ansible, scripting, experience building highly automated infrastructure, prior success in automating real-world production environment
- Required Education: Knowledge of IP networking
As an Amazon DevOps Architect, you will spend your workdays collaborating with other Amazon teams to improve the Professional Services business. You will focus on bringing access to product and service teams, and solving any issues within the Professional Services Amazon business. You will earn around $140,000 per year and while there is no degree requirement, you will need to know how to learn DevOps before applying.
Database Engineer
- Salary: Approximately $147,000 per year
- Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO, work with a great team
- Level: Entry to Intermediate
- Required Experience: Prior experience designing and maintaining relational databases using MySQL, customer service experience, systems engineering experience
- Required Education: Familiar with Amazon Web Services
Amazon database engineers work toward customer satisfaction. This involves working with customers to solve real problems within the realm of Amazon Web Services, using technical and engineering innovations. You will earn around $147,000 per year, and it may be beneficial to take a few Amazon Web Services classes.
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Systems Development Engineer
- Salary: Approximately $119,165 per year
- Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO, work with a great team
- Level: Intermediate
- Required Experience: 5+ years using Linux, 5+ years in systems engineering or administration, development experience in Shell, Perl, or Python
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a technology-related field
As an Amazon systems development engineer, you will work with various other engineering teams to develop technology that is both simple and effective to help support Amazon fulfillment centers and transportation sites. You will need to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science or another tech-related field.
Software Development Engineer
- Salary: Approximately $116,100 per year
- Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO, work with a great team
- Level: Intermediate
- Required Experience: Programming experience with Java, C++, or C#, 1+ year experience contributing to architecture or design of new and current systems, 2+ years of non-internship professional software development, 3+ years experience building successful production software platforms, hands-on Java or C++ experience
- Required Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
To land a job as a software development engineer at Amazon, you'll need to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and take some time to learn software development. You should earn around $116,100 per year, and you'll need programming experience with Java, C++, or C# for years prior to applying.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at Amazon?
Even though Amazon has thousands of job positions available, it is a competitive company to land a job at. However, if you can pass the rounds of rigorous interviews and assessments, you will be able to reap the benefits of being an Amazon employee.
All you need is to meet the job requirements, 14 leadership principles, and have a unique personality that stands out to the recruiters. If you can do this, you are sure to become an Amazon employee in no time.
Source: https://careerkarma.com/blog/how-to-get-a-job-at-amazon/