July 28: The Amazon Hiring Process: The Interview Loop

Amazon’s rigorous interview process and Bar Raiser mechanism helps the company consistently make great hiring decisions.

Source: Dave Anderson, Scarlet Ink
Published: July 2021

The Amazon Hiring Process: The Interview Loop

Right now there are 56,000 open jobs at Amazon. Amazon’s rigorous interview process and Bar Raiser mechanism helps the company consistently make great hiring decisions.

An Amazon interview loop consists of the following steps:

1. A candidate applies for a role.

2. The recruiter and/or hiring manager reviews the candidate’s resume.

3. If they believe the candidate looks suitable for this or another role, the recruiter sets up a phone screen.

4. If the phone screener believes the candidate is generally qualified, the recruiter sets up an interview loop.

5. The candidate interviews in a (usually) five-person interview loop.

   a. Interviewers include the hiring manager, three members of the hiring manager’s organization, and the Bar Raiser.
   
   b. Each interviewer is assigned "competencies” by the hiring manager. These are tied to Leadership Principles or Functional Skills.

6. Each interviewer writes up their notes after their interview with the candidate. They decide whether they are inclined or not inclined to hire the candidate.

7. The interviewers debrief together after all interviews are conducted.

   a. Every interviewer reads each other’s feedback.

   b. The bar raiser facilitates a discussion regarding highlights and concerns mentioned in everyone’s notes.

   c. The hiring manager and bar raiser agree on a hire or no-hire decision.

8. If a hire decision is made, the recruiter notifies the candidate that they got the job! Now begins the negotiation over salary, location, and equity (as applicable to the role).