Amazon, founded in 1994, has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most powerful e-commerce and cloud-service providers.
To reach this status, Amazon has over a million full-time and part-time employees.
Still, Amazon continues to welcome new employees into its enterprise.
In this article, we’ll go over the Amazon hiring process in detail so you can be well prepared to land a job there.
Amazon Hiring Basics
Before we get into the hiring process, let’s go over some Amazon hiring basics:
Why Would Somebody Want to Work at Amazon?
Working at Amazon can provide you with invaluable experience in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
You’ll have the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and departments, allowing you to learn new skills and advance your career.
It’s also ideal for those looking for a flexible work schedule as well as the ability to balance work and personal life.
Is Amazon Hiring?
Amazon’s peak hiring season runs from the beginning of November to the beginning of January.
That said, it’s still possible to get hired after peak season.
What Positions Does Amazon Usually Hire For?
The most popular positions Amazon hires for are:
● Software Engineers
● Warehouse Workers
● Data Scientists
● Delivery Drivers
● Operations Managers
● Program Managers
● Executive Assistants
Does Amazon Offer Remote Positions?
Amazon offers remote positions all over the United States.
In addition, Amazon has a work-from-home program for international applicants.
This program offers a wide range of positions throughout the company, making it an excellent opportunity for eager and qualified candidates from around the world to join Amazon’s team.
Just keep in mind that Amazon’s remote jobs are often location-based.
As a result, not every area will have a remote job opening.
Where to Check to See If Amazon Is Hiring
You can use the amazon.jobs website to see if Amazon is hiring.
You can look for a job by entering the position’s title or keyword in the Search box and your location in the Location box.
If you scroll down the website, you can also find job opportunities for students and software engineers.
You can also look for open positions at Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
How Hard Is It to Get Hired at Amazon?
Even though Amazon has over 20,000 open positions worldwide, getting hired isn’t easy.
The reason is that Amazon’s hiring process is cutthroat.
It’s not only that the phone screening and on-site interviews are rigorous.
Amazon also has a tricky and challenging behavioral interview.
Applying to Amazon
If you’re applying for a job at Amazon, read on to learn about the requirements and the hiring process.
Requirements to Apply at Amazon
The following are general requirements that all applicants should meet.
Still, before applying to any Amazon job, double-check the job posting for any additional requirements.
Do You Need Experience to Work at Amazon?
For entry-level positions, prior experience is preferred but not required.
More technical positions in marketing, business intelligence, and software development may require prior experience.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Amazon?
The minimum age to apply for any position at Amazon is 18.
Amazon doesn’t hire anyone under the age of 18 for safety and legal reasons.
Keep in mind that you must be at least 21 years old to apply for a driver position.
This age restriction is in place because Amazon wants to hire experienced drivers.
Amazon Education Requirements
All applicants seeking a job at Amazon need to hold a high school diploma or a GED (General Education Development).
For more technical jobs, Amazon requires applicants to have a Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position they’re applying for.
Luckily, over the years, Amazon has developed initiatives to help its employees earn:
● GED diploma
● High school diploma
● Bachelor’s degree
Amazon Hiring Process
Here’s an overview of what an Amazon hiring process mainly looks like:
● Fill out an online application
● Take a test
● Have an interview over the phone
● Go through on-site interviews
How Long Does It Usually Take to Get Hired at Amazon?
On average, it takes three weeks to get hired at Amazon.
Still, it could take up to three months to get hired.
This huge timeline difference is due to the fact that the Amazon hiring process varies depending on the position.
So, the higher the level of the position, the longer the process will take.
Amazon Interview & Hiring Process
To be fully prepared for what’s to come in the interview and hiring process, here’s what you need to know:
Amazon Interview Process
Amazon has one of the most complicated interview processes.
It’s 1–2 rounds of phone screening and 2–9 on-site interviews.
The first phone interview lasts from 45 minutes to an hour.
It’s conducted by an HR or internal recruiter who asks you questions about your career.
A hiring manager conducts the second phone interview, which is supposed to be the easiest of all.
On the other hand, the number of on-site interviews is proportional to the position’s level.
They are also held consecutively.
What Should I Wear to an Amazon Interview?
Amazon is more interested in what you have to say than what you’re wearing.
So, you can dress in comfortable and casual clothes.
However, many people prefer to dress a little more formally for an in-person interview.
In that case, they choose business casual attire.
Does Amazon Require an Assessment Test?
All Amazon applicants are required to take an online assessment test.
This test may consist of a workstyle assessment and/or work sample simulations.
Applicants who progress to the interview stage may need to take face-to-face assessments.
The type of assessment an applicant sits for depends on the position applied for.
Does Amazon Drug Test?
Amazon asks each applicant to go through a comprehensive drug screening.
What’s more, the company conducts random drug tests on its employees.
Does Amazon Background Check?
Amazon conducts background checks on all applicants who pass the Amazon hiring process.
These background checks can include criminal history, employment history, and credit history.
Amazon Orientation and Training
Once hired, you may go through orientation and training.
Here’s what they mainly look like:
Does Amazon Offer Training to New Hires?
Amazon offers paid training for new hires in all positions.
It also provides paid training and job placement programs to non-technical employees who want to join technical positions.
What Is New Employee Orientation Like?
You’ll receive an email with a link to a 30-minute virtual job preview.
In this preview, you’ll get an overview of the company, your role at Amazon, and what to expect on your first day.
How Long Is Amazon Training?
Depending on the job position, Amazon training can last anywhere from a few hours to a week.
What It’s Like to Work at Amazon
Here’s what the work experience at Amazon looks like:
What Is It Like to Work at Amazon?
Work at Amazon is often fast-paced and demanding, regardless of position.
So you should expect to be on your game at all times.
Luckily, the surrounding environment is mostly friendly and supportive.
It’s also easy to switch shifts as needed.
How Long Are Shifts at Amazon?
At Amazon, shift length varies depending on location and department.
That said, they’re often divided into day shifts and night shifts, with each shift lasting around 10 hours.
What Is the Amazon Dress Code Like?
Amazon doesn’t impose dress codes as long as employees maintain a clean appearance.
Still, non-warehouse employees often dress in business casual attire.
Warehouse workers dress casually but cover everything.
What Benefits Does Amazon Offer?
Amazon offers its employees several benefits, including:
● Employee discounts
● Healthcare
● Family support
● 401k plans
● Employee assistance programs
● Maternity and parental leave
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon pay weekly or biweekly?
Amazon typically pays its employees weekly.
Employees may also receive their payment biweekly depending on the type of job.
That said, Amazon offers employees who are paid weekly the option of being paid biweekly.
What Is the Acceptance Rate of Amazon?
Amazon has an acceptance rate of less than 2%.
This is why it’s critical that you’re well-prepared during the hiring process.
Wrapping Up
That’s all there’s to know about the Amazon hiring process.
It can be competitive and may appear daunting at first.
However, knowing what to expect can keep you from losing sight of the job position.
It’ll also help you go through each step of the hiring process with confidence.
So, read through our Amazon hiring guide to prepare well for the hiring process.
