Around 2 weeks ago, I have written the answer for 15 interview questions for Amazon job interview (Part 1). I have received unexpected responses and here are the remaining of my spontaneous answers:
16. “Tell the story of the last time you had to apologize to someone.”
Back in 2010, I was working for IX Telecom, a small telco company in Malaysia monitoring large networks. One of the key lesson that I learned from the Chief is that we shouldn’t simply say sorry. Especially without any real meaning.
I made few mistakes in my working life, despite it is just a small mistake. 3R is the simplest way to resolve this. Regret. Reason. Remedy.
And the last time I apologize to someone was when there is a breakdown in communication in terms of what mechanism needs to be in place for guests registration for a launch of a new exhibition. As part of Marketing team, I was eager to roll the latest visitor registration system via iPad. However, since it is new, we thought it would delay the registration process. So, we decided to use paper and pen.
Then, at the end of everything. There is a bit of miscommunication in terms of how things should be implemented. At the end of it, I have decided that I took full responsibility and learned that communications are vital. Vertically and horizontally. And it is a beauty when you can experience the meaning of “doing the right thing” versus “doing things right”. Which of course, for a separate discussion.
17. “Walk me through how Amazon Kindle books would be priced.”
My first perception, cheaply. But it actually depends on the author/publisher. It is a light version of a book but content is still King. So, yeah. It is a mix of the pricing and product quality resulted in the output.
- Right pricing. Good product. Good sales.
- Wrong pricing. Bad product. Bad sales.
But pricing it at $0.99 is good if you already reached your break-even cost or desired profit. And Kindle is just another channel for you to sell your book. The choice is yours.
18. “What would you do if you saw someone being unsafe at work?”
Think. Choose the right approach and take action. If it is not time specific, you can share it with him or his/your superior.
Best if you know his/her influencer(s). Talk to them.
19. “What would you do if somehow you misdirected 10,000 units of something?”
You have two options:
Firstly, redirect it back again to where it belongs. Then tell your superior.
Secondly, tell your superior and direct it where it belongs.
I want to stress the point of communication because “somehow” it happened. And it was none of your attention. Most problem arise when you are being caught with your hand inside the cookie jar while you didn’t know your hands reaching in.
But integrity is at the core. You can choose to redirect it back again without anyone knows about it. But you decide the magnitude. Again, “doing the right thing” or “doing things right”.
20. “How would you improve Amazon’s website?”
For goodness sake, ship Worldwide 🙂
21. “You have 30 people working under you with 2 working indirect. Each employee can do 150 units/hour. Each work day has two 15 min breaks and one 30 min lunch. In a 5 day work week, how many total units can you complete?”
Is that all? Okay.
- Capacity: 32 people = (32 * (8 – 1) * 5) hours = 1120 hours
- Units = 1120*150 = 168,000 completed units.
22. “What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced in your life? How did you handle it?”
.
23. “How would you tell a customer what Wi-Fi is?”
I would firstly ask if you he/she knows what Internet is and Wi-Fi is another form of wireless connection that helps your device to surf the web.
Traditionally, you need the cable. So, for “wireless”.
24. “You are Amazon and Samsung offers you 10,000 Samsung Galaxy S3s at a 34% discount. Is that a good deal?”
At the current situation (December 2015). Probably people wouldn’t bother because there is S6 now. If you are looking to clear your stock, perhaps 50% would be a good deal.
Unless, I can sell it at the market value. Then I know I have at least 34% gross profit margin.
25. “Design an online payment system.”
Why do we need to reinvent the wheel? Perhaps we should focus on improving the UX and UI of the payment system.
26. “Give me an example of a time when you were 75% of the way through a project, and you had to pivot strategy–how were you able to make that into a success story?”
Test it fast and if it successful. Share the initial story. Then people would know that the pivot strategy works. There must be something that you did which give birth to the new strategy. Share that as well.
Sir Ken Robinson said, “If you are not prepared to be wronged, you will never come up with something new.”
27. “Should we sell private label cleaning products?”
Never. Don’t bother. 80/20 (Pareto’s Principle)
28. “What would you do if you found out that your closest friend at work was stealing?”
Refer question #18. It seems like this is one of the top questions in Amazon job interview 🙂
29. “Which Amazon leadership principle do you resonate most with?”
Innovation.
I love innovation because it shows progress. Similar like growing. When there is no progress, you are dying. Year by year, I will set few things to achieve in a particular year and focus on it.
Be a better version of yourself everyday.
(Part 2 – 29 December 2015, 6:33PM)
—— End of Interview ——
Thank you for reading and if you have feedback, please fill up the following form. Cheers and happy 2016!
Rough Fee 
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