The question may seem like a no-brainer when you are interviewing for one of the mid-level or senior managerial or engineering role with Amazon (level 5 and above). In such a case, the remuneration package is just from another dimension, and you get a chance to work with some of the smartest people in Washington (White House included). But we should realize that most job interviews at Amazon are for jobs falling within levels 1 to 4 of their classification, most typically in the AWS, and here they certainly have competition. Logically they want to know why you want to work for them, instead of Google, Facebook, Uber, or any other famous tech company, or basically why you want to work for AWS.

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question. I tried to include on my list answers for different jobs, interview scenarios, and also levels of experience. You should pick one that resonates with the message you try to convey to the hiring managers at Amazon, and fits your level of experience and your expectations on the job. Do not forget to read also my notes below the answers, for additional hints on how to impress your interviewers.

 

7 sample answers to “Why do you want to work for Amazon?” interview question

  1. I have a strong affiliation with your brand. I do my shopping on Amazon, I self published some books for children on your platform (my leisure time hobby), I watch the latest movies on Prime. You are a part of my everyday routine, and I love the way how everything is centered around the customer here, how easy the shopping experience is, and that you always try to come up with some innovations for people. What’s more, I’ve had a job of a financial analyst for six years. Reading the job description I really feel that I would fit to your team at Amazon, and that the position of a senior analyst matches perfectly my skills and experience.
  2. When I saw a job opening in your Amazon Kids & Family team, I immediately knew I found the right match for my experience and professional interests. I would love to help you develop meaningful digital experiences for families, and I have experience with working on consumer facing digital products across a variety of mediums. This job fits perfectly into my career plan, and is a next logical step after everything I have done up to this point.
    What’s more, I have heard just the best things about the working environment in Amazon from both your former and present employees—some of them belong to my professional circles. I know you expect a lot from the workers, but that’s exactly what I am looking for in work. I’d love to move forward, to push my limits, to get better in what I do. That would definitely be possible in the amazing team of people you have in place here.
  3. I think that you have the best customer service in the world—speaking form the experience of a buyer, and I would love to join such a team of workers. What’s more, the ability to work from home really suits my current situation, and everything that happened in our country as a result of covid pandemic. I am driven, motivated to learn and work hard, and I would feel proud working for Amazon AWS.
  4. To be honest, I just love the idea of working for Amazon. I know that I apply “only” for a job in a warehouse, but still–if you should work with parcels and operate a modern forklift, there is, in my view, no better place to do it than Amazon. First of all, you have the most modern equipment in place. Secondly, you have an excellent system of work–at least that’s what I’ve read, and one can certainly learn a lot working in this warehouse. Last but not least, you pay the warehouse clerks better than vast majority of other employers. To sum it up, I would be extremely happy to work here, because considering my qualifications and education, this is as good a job as I can get at the moment.
  5. I am a firm believer in a whole-food based diet. A typical American eats a complete garbage, and it is a reason no. 1 why we have such a big problem with obesity, and the diseases of civilization. I’ve been working as a purchasing agent for years, but now I would like to work for a company where I can really make a big difference with my work, helping to get an amazing quality produce from all around the country to the table of Americans who seek such produce. Needless to say, an impact you can have working as a buyer for Amazon is ten times bigger than an impact you can have working for any other company in the field, and hundred times bigger than the one you can have working for a small local player. I want to have an impact, and believe to have the skills and experience to be ready to work for Amazon. That’s why.
  6. I want to work for Amazon AWS because the 14 leadership principles resonate with me strongly. You know, each company has some identity, vision, goals. But I have never found a better match to what I believe into when it comes to my interaction with both customers and colleagues, than your 14 leadership principles. I hate to be average. On the contrary, I love to innovate and simplify things, and I aim only for the highest standards, in everything I do. I think that my resume and the things I achieved in my previous jobs prove my words…
  7. I want to learn from the best. It is as simple as that. I have a great academic record, and I’ve tried to get as much working experience as possible while still studying. Now, when I finally earned my degree and completed my internship, I want to have the best possible start to my “real” professional career. Luckily for me you are hiring big right now, for many entry level positions, and I believe to have the motivation and attitude to make it through, become the member of your team, learn from the best, and hopefully stay for years with Amazon.

 

Try to be specific while explaining why you chose Amazon

You shouldn’t say just that they are the biggest online retailer or a leader in innovation, or that they placed second on the list of best employers in the States. Try to pick something specific that will make your answer stand out, so they see that you did a real research.

For example a certain technology they have in place and you’d like to work with, or a certain product, software, platform you’d love to help develop, because you see the potential and value for the final customer.

Alternatively you can talk about your loyalty to their brand. You do your shopping with Amazon, you bought their stock when you had some cash, you are a customer of AWS, or you self published a book on their platform, etc. Basically you see the huge positive impact Amazon as a company has on your life as a customer, and you’d love to work for such an organization, helping other customers to benefit from the services of the company.

 

Connect your future with Amazon

The second thing you should refer to is your career plan. What role does the position you try to get with Amazon has in your life? And is AWS your final destination, or you want to climb up the career ladder? Perhaps you did a similar job, but with the second best company—because everyone is second best to Amazon–at least that’s what you should claim in the interviews. And now you feel ready to work with the best.

Or perhaps you have a certain position on your mind, or a certain thing you’d like to work on in the future (ideally with Amazon), and the position you try to get with them right now will allow you to do so, either immediately, or in a few years time. As long as they see that you are in for a long run, and do not apply just to get their name on your resume and leave after a year or two, they will be satisfied with your answer.

Answers to all tricky Amazon interview questions

They will ask you “Why Amazon” in almost every interview with the company. However, you will face much more difficult questions while trying to navigate your way through the recruitment process of the company, and walk away with a coveted job contract.

Questions such as “Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively”, or “If you are given two conflicting priorities from two separate managers, how do you figure out how to proceed?”, and plenty of other tricky scenario-based questions. If you are not sure how to deal with them, have a look at my eBook, Amazon Interview Guide. Premium interview answers to 50 most common Amazon interview questions will help you streamline your preparation, outclass your competitors, and get a job with Amazon. Thank you for checking it out, and I wish you best of luck in your interview!

Matthew

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Matthew Chulaw
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