How to Get a Job at AWS Without Even Trying
The power of visibility!
Hey, Prasad here 👋 I'm the voice behind the weekly newsletter "Big Tech Careers."
In today's article, we are fortunate to have Sanjeet Sahay, an ex-Amazonian, as our guest contributor. He is the Author of "The No-Nonsense Guide to Beating Burnout", Founder @ LeaderHub and a former Amazon Engineering and Solution Architecture Leader.
In this post, Sanjeet uses infographics to explain how he landed his dream role at AWS without even trying and his full interviewing experience . It was originally published here. Follow Sanjeet on LinkedIn for more insights.
Over to you Sanjeet!
I wasn’t looking for a new job when Amazon reached out to me—but that’s the power of keeping your resume visible. Even though I hadn’t applied, my profile stood out to their hiring team because I had uploaded my resume to a few job sites. That’s when I realized how important it is to keep your resume updated. You never know who’s looking for someone with your skills!
You don’t always have to actively look for a job to land a great opportunity. Keeping your resume fresh and visible on platforms like LinkedIn can open unexpected doors. Amazon and many other top companies constantly seek people with strong technical skills who align with their core values and leadership principles.
Getting hired at Amazon isn't just about technical skills. They want people who can think independently, solve problems, and genuinely embrace their Leadership Principles—things like putting customers first, taking ownership, and building trust. It's not just about what you know but how you think and work. If you're hoping to join Amazon, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to solve problems, make decisions, and lead—showing how you genuinely embrace Amazon's Leadership Principles.
The phone screen is your first real test in Amazon’s hiring process, and preparation is key. You can expect different Amazon interview questions, both technical and behavioural, that focus strongly on Amazon’s leadership principles. Brush up on Amazon concepts, system design, and problem-solving techniques. And don’t forget to practice structured answers using the STAR method—it’ll help you communicate your experience clearly and effectively.
Landing a job at Amazon is more than just having technical skills—they want people who can think critically, solve problems, and take ownership. I knew I needed to go beyond just knowing Amazon —I spent time studying the documentation, building projects, and practising system design to be prepared. But I quickly realized that technical expertise alone wouldn’t get me through. I also had to be able to clearly explain my experiences and show how they aligned with Amazon’s Leadership Principles. It wasn’t just about technical skills—it was about telling my story to demonstrate my expertise and how I approach challenges. Finding that balance between technical prep and personal storytelling made all the difference.
Amazon’s interview questions are challenging and test your skills and how you think, adapt, and communicate. Instead of memorizing answers, focus on storytelling with structure—explain your challenges, actions, and results using the STAR method. Confidence and clarity go a long way in showing Amazon that you’re the right fit.
Amazon's behavioural interviews aren't about rehearsed answers but about sharing authentic experiences that show how you think and lead. I used my Story Bank Matrix to map out key moments from my career, tie them to Amazon's Leadership Principles, and structure them with the STAR method. This made my answers more natural, confident, and to the point.
Amazon's interview process revolves around its 16 Leadership Principles—every question relates to them. I ensured every answer I gave was linked to at least one principle, showing how my past experiences demonstrated traits like customer obsession, bias for action, and ownership. The behavioural rounds will be challenging if you don't prepare with these principles.
Amazon's hiring process isn't just about technical skills—it's about how well you think, problem-solve, and align with their Leadership Principles. I landed my role by ensuring my resume was visible, preparing thoroughly for technical and system design questions, and mastering behavioural interviews. I used the STAR method and the Story Bank Matrix to frame my responses based on real experiences that align with Amazon's Leadership Principles. The main takeaway? Success comes from balancing solid technical expertise with leadership-focused storytelling.
I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sanjeet for sharing his AWS interview experience with Big Tech Careers readers.
Enjoyed Sanjeet's story? Follow him on LinkedIn for more insights and inspiration! 🚀
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