How to Get job at Amazon in 2023: Updated Amazon Application Process and Tips

Amazon, a household name for its extensive product offerings and cost-effective solutions, remains a top choice for job seekers in 2023. With its track record of success, Amazon continues to attract some of the brightest minds in the industry. If you’re aspiring to secure a high-paying tech job with exceptional benefits this year, you’re likely eager to know how to land a job at Amazon.

In 2023, the process of getting hired at Amazon involves familiarizing yourself with the company’s background, preparing for interviews, and ensuring you meet the specific requirements of your desired position. In this up-to-date guide, we provide you with the latest insights on how to get Hired at Amazon.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon offers good pay and perks like health insurance and paid maternity leave to its employees.
• To apply for a job at Amazon, you need to go online to their job portal and share your qualifications, like your resume.
• During the Amazon interview process, they’ll ask you about your behavior in past situations and may also test your technical skills. You can discuss your salary during this time.
• For tech roles at Amazon, you’ll typically need experience in programming and a solid work history. You should also know about Amazon’s leadership principles.
• If you’re applying for a developer role, it’s a good idea to review the basics of computer science to prepare.
• Some popular Amazon job options include roles like DevOps engineer, database engineer, software development engineer, and systems administrator.

Company Background: Amazon

Back in 1994, Jeff Bezos started a small online bookstore called Amazon in his garage. It grew really fast and started selling all kinds of things, like electronics, furniture, clothes, toys, and even food. In 1997, Amazon became a publicly traded company, and by 1998, it was doing business worldwide, buying books and music from sellers in other countries.

By 2015, Amazon had become super popular and even beat Walmart to become the most valuable retailer in the United States. Then, in 2017, Amazon got even bigger by buying Whole Foods.

Today, almost everyone uses Amazon or Amazon Prime. They offer quick two-day shipping, millions of products, and make it easy to get stuff delivered to your door. It’s no wonder that Amazon is such a successful company!

How to Get a Job at Amazon in 2023

The first step to getting a job at Amazon is to apply online using their job website. Since Amazon is a huge company, competition can be tough. Many applicants are well-qualified and have lots of experience. But don’t worry, there are thousands of tech job openings at Amazon. If you’re dedicated, motivated, well-educated, and have the right experience, you can definitely land a job there.

Next, we’ll explain the process of applying and interviewing at Amazon. We’ll also tell you about the usual education and experience requirements for their jobs.

What are Requirements to Work for Amazon

The requirements to work at Amazon differ based on the job level. For lower-level positions or IT apprenticeships, a bachelor’s degree isn’t always necessary, but you should have a strong resume showcasing your technical abilities. Having internship experience can also boost your resume.

For software development roles at Amazon, you’ll typically need to know programming languages like Java, C++, or C# and have worked in the field for two years. Higher-level positions or managerial roles might ask for at least a bachelor’s degree.

Applying for a Job at Amazon

To apply for a job at Amazon, you kick things off by visiting their website. There, you can hunt for jobs by department, location, and more, or you can try the “Best Fit Job Match” option. This nifty tool lets you enter your info and find a bunch of roles that might suit you. It’s a faster way to apply for jobs at Amazon.

While you’re busy filling out your job application, make sure you have all the right stuff handy. That means having info about your education and work history, plus a list of all the things that make you a great fit for the job. While you don’t absolutely need a resume to apply at Amazon, it’s a smart move to have one ready.

At Amazon, they decide if they’ll hire you by looking at how you answer questions and assessments online and in interviews. It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for a job in delivery, customer service, or tech—you’ll face interviews where they ask about how you’ve behaved in the past. That’s why it’s crucial to make yourself memorable compared to other applicants.

Amazon Application and Interview Process

Once you’ve finished filling out the Amazon job application online, the next step is the interview process. If Amazon finds your application interesting, a recruiter will get in touch and ask you to complete at least one online test. If you do well on this test, you’ll move on to a phone interview.

In your initial Amazon job interview, you’ll face questions that focus on your behavior, especially related to Amazon’s leadership principles. If you’re applying for a tech job, be ready for some technical questions too. In 2023, it’s a good idea to brush up on computer science basics if that’s your field. Here are some example questions you might encounter in a behavioral Amazon job interview.

After you’ve filled out your application, you’ll move on to interviews. If Amazon is interested, a recruiter will ask you to take an online test. If you do well, you’ll have a phone interview.

In the phone interview, they’ll ask about times you’ve faced challenges or led projects. They might also ask about a time you took a risk or made a mistake and how you handled it.

If you do well in the phone interview, you’ll have an in-person interview. This one can include both behavior and technical questions. Depending on the job, you might talk to two to seven interviewers from different parts of the company. Each interview takes about 45 minutes. Tech roles usually involve whiteboard questions where you write out solutions.

It’s all about showing how you handle situations and solve problems!

Amazon Skills Tests and Assessments

Amazon conducts a variety of skills tests and assessments as part of their hiring process. These assessments help Amazon evaluate candidates’ abilities and suitability for specific roles. While the specific tests may vary depending on the job position, here are some common types:

1. Work Style Assessment: This assessment aims to understand your work preferences, behaviors, and values. It helps Amazon match you with roles that align with your work style.
2. Work Sample Simulation: In this assessment, you’ll complete tasks or scenarios that simulate real job responsibilities. It’s designed to evaluate your practical skills and how well you can perform tasks related to the position.
3. Coding Assessments: For technical roles, Amazon often requires candidates to complete coding assessments. These tests evaluate your programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and coding proficiency.
4. Technical Skills Assessment: Depending on the role, you may be asked to complete assessments that focus on specific technical skills relevant to the job, such as data analysis or system troubleshooting.
5. Behavioral Interviews: While not traditional tests, behavioral interviews are a common assessment method at Amazon. Interviewers ask questions about your past experiences and behavior to assess how you align with Amazon’s leadership principles and values.
6. Language Proficiency Tests: For roles requiring language skills, Amazon may conduct language proficiency assessments to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in the required language.

These assessments are typically conducted online, and there are often strict deadlines and time limits for completion. It’s essential to prepare for these assessments by understanding the requirements of the specific job you’re applying for and practicing relevant skills and scenarios. Success in these assessments can significantly increase your chances of advancing to the interview stage and ultimately securing a job at Amazon.

Amazon Salary Negotiations

Salary negotiations at Amazon typically happen during the interview process. Your salary depends on two main things: your level, which is based on your experience and how well you do in the interviews.

When you’re scheduled for an interview, it’s okay to ask what level they’re considering you for. If you think you deserve a higher level, you can make your case during the interview to negotiate for a better salary.

If you’re thinking about negotiating your salary at Amazon in 2023, here’s some helpful info:

• Amazon’s employees in corporate roles might see lower pay in 2023, potentially up to 50% less, due to Amazon’s stock price dropping. Amazon’s pay includes a lot of stock awards, so when stock prices go down, it affects compensation. Amazon is also cutting jobs, with 18,000 layoffs, which is their largest job cut ever, due to economic challenges.
• Amazon’s salary structure involves a few components like base salary, signing bonus, equity (RSUs), performance bonus, and stock refreshers. Keep in mind that signing bonuses and equity vests heavily in the beginning, so total compensation decreases in the third and fourth years.
• For most roles, Amazon’s base salary is capped at $160K, except for senior positions. Signing bonuses are paid monthly for the first two years, and equity vests gradually over four years.
• Performance bonuses are calculated based on Amazon’s performance, your performance rating, and your target bonus percentage, which varies by role and level.
• Stock refreshers are given annually, dependent on your performance rating and Amazon’s stock price, and they also vest over four years, following the same schedule as your initial equity grant.
• Negotiating salary at Amazon differs by level and role. For positions at levels L4 to L6, negotiations are often quick and straightforward, typically involving one or two rounds of counteroffers. For executive roles, it’s more complex and lengthy, involving multiple approvals and stakeholders.

Here are some tips for salary negotiation at Amazon:

1. Understand the pay in your location and market. Amazon’s compensation varies based on where you’ll work, considering the cost of living and local competition. You can use resources like Levels.fyi or Glassdoor to research salary ranges.
2. Be ready to act fast. Amazon’s hiring process moves swiftly, and you might have only a few days to negotiate your offer. Know your target compensation and your bottom line before getting your offer.
3. Negotiate with your hiring manager. Hiring managers at Amazon often have more authority to negotiate than recruiters. Building a good relationship with your hiring manager and clearly stating your value and expectations can be beneficial.
4. Ask for detailed yearly compensation. Amazon’s compensation structure can be complex, especially regarding stock awards. Request a breakdown of your yearly total compensation, including base salary, signing bonus, equity vesting, performance bonus, and stock refreshers.
5. Know that Amazon can go beyond their usual salary bands. While Amazon has fixed bands for each level and role, they can offer more if you have a strong case or competing offers.

These tips should help you navigate the salary negotiation process at Amazon in 2023.

Is it difficult to get job at amazon in 2023?

Getting a job at Amazon in 2023 might be difficult than before for a few reasons:

1. Amazon’s corporate employees might see a significant pay cut, up to 50%, due to the company’s falling stock price. This could make Amazon’s compensation packages less appealing to potential candidates.
2. Amazon is cutting a massive number of jobs, around 18,000, which is its largest job cut ever. This could mean fewer job openings and more competition for the available positions.
3. Amazon has implemented a hiring freeze, first for small teams in September and then company-wide. This freeze could limit job opportunities for both new hires and existing employees looking to transfer within the company.
4. Amazon’s hiring process is known to be tough, involving multiple rounds of interviews and assessments. Candidates need strong technical skills, relevant work experience, and an understanding of Amazon’s leadership principles.

These factors together could make landing a job at Amazon in 2023 more challenging than in previous years.

Getting a job at Amazon might be more challenging compared to some other big companies like Costco, but it’s definitely achievable. To improve your chances, focus on highlighting your unique strengths and adequately preparing for interviews. With the right approach, you can increase your likelihood of success.

Working at Amazon: What to Expect?

Working at Amazon has both positive and negative aspects. Generally, employees get good pay, decent benefits, and a sense of prestige. However, some find it challenging to balance work and personal life. Here’s a look at what it’s really like to work at Amazon.

Decent Pay

Amazon pays its employees well, even for part-time delivery drivers. In 2018, they increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and many higher positions offer even better pay.

Good Benefits

Full-time Amazon workers receive generous benefits. This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan. They also offer substantial paid maternity leave, parental leave, and caregiver support.

Prestigious Job Title

Working at Amazon is prestigious because it’s such a huge company. Having Amazon on your resume can be a significant achievement and boost your professional prospects. Many people see it as a stepping stone to their dream job.

Amazon Careers: Job Titles and Descriptions

If you’re a student looking to land a job at Amazon, you can start by exploring their numerous internship options. Amazon regularly offers a wide range of job openings, including internships, part-time positions, and remote work opportunities. Below, we’ll give you more insights into some of the most popular and sought-after career paths at Amazon. All of these Amazon jobs come with attractive salaries and excellent benefits.

DevOps Engineer (2023)

• Salary: $184,027
• Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO
• Level: Intermediate
• Experience: 2+ years programming (Python, Ruby, etc.), cloud tech knowledge, Infrastructure as Code experience, software development background
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Database Engineer (2023)

• Salary: $188,192
• Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO
• Level: Intermediate
• Experience: Proficiency in PostgreSQL or MySQL, AWS familiarity, UNIX shell and SQL coding, procedural language skills
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Systems Development Engineer (2023)

• Salary: $194,129
• Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO
• Level: Intermediate
• Experience: Programming (C++, C#, Java, Python, Ruby), 2+ years in software engineering, DevOps or systems development, AWS experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in tech-related field or equivalent

Software Development Engineer (2023)

• Salary: $196,616
• Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO
• Level: Intermediate
• Experience: Programming (Java, C++, C#), architecture/design involvement, 2+ years non-internship professional software development, leadership experience
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or related discipline

Systems Administrator (2023)

• Salary: $142,460
• Benefits: 401(k), medical insurance, PTO
• Experience: Linux/Windows systems administration, TCP/IP network knowledge
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

These are Amazon job roles in 2023, and they come with various salaries and requirements. Each position offers good benefits like 401(k) and medical insurance. You can consider these roles based on your skills and career goals.

Also read:

Tesco Night Premium Pay 2023

Amazon’s Pay Increases over time

Sobeys Pay Raise 2024

How to Get a Job at Amazon in 2023: FAQ

How does the Amazon sign-on bonus work?

The Amazon sign-on bonus is an incentive offered to encourage people to apply for roles in warehouses and delivery. The specific amount and payout schedule can vary based on where you work and your job title. Typically, these bonuses are paid out in two installments: after your first and third monthly paychecks.

What is the Age Requirement to Work at Amazon in 2023?

To work at Amazon, you need to be at least 18 years old, even for internships or part-time positions. Amazon also expects all employees to have completed high school or earned their GED.

How many people work for Amazon?

As of 2021, Amazon employed over 1.6 million individuals, according to their fourth-quarter earnings report. This number tends to increase during the holiday season when Amazon’s services are in high demand.

How long is a seasonal job at Amazon?

Seasonal positions at Amazon typically start in November and conclude at the beginning of January. If you demonstrate strong work ethic and commitment, there may be an opportunity for full-time employment, although there could be a probationary period.

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