Amazon, one of the world’s leading companies, places great emphasis on finding the right employees who possess the right qualifications, skills, and attributes. To ensure the highest quality of recruitment, Amazon has developed a comprehensive hiring process that focuses on identifying candidates who align with their desired employee profile.
Amazon actively promotes diversity and inclusivity in its workforce. They believe in providing equal opportunities to individuals from all backgrounds. As part of their commitment to diversity, Amazon partners with organizations and academic institutions that reach underrepresented communities. They also host hiring fairs, career enrichment summits, and support initiatives such as the Grace Hopper Celebration and AfroTech.
In addition to promoting diversity, Amazon is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. They participate in initiatives like the AARP Employer Pledge and the HBCU Partnership Challenge, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to everyone.
Amazon recognizes the importance of STEM education and invests in programs like Amazon Future Engineer, which inspires and trains children and young adults from underserved communities. They also offer internships, provide free cloud computing education through AWS Educate, and have specialized training programs like the Amazon Veteran Technical Apprenticeship and Tech U Program for individuals without traditional technical backgrounds.
With these initiatives in place, Amazon strives to create a workforce that embodies diversity, inclusivity, and excellence. Their recruitment efforts are tailored to identify candidates who can contribute to the company’s success while upholding Amazon’s core values and principles.
Amazon’s Ideal Candidate Traits According to Jeff Bezos
In order to find the best talent to join Amazon, founder Jeff Bezos looks for specific traits in prospective candidates that align with Amazon’s 14 leadership principles. These traits are crucial for fostering a culture of innovation and success within the company.
The Qualities That Matter:
Jeff Bezos values individuals who can “tutor” him and teach him new things. This highlights the importance of continuous learning and personal growth within Amazon’s work environment. Bezos also believes that good leaders are often “right, a lot” and possess the ability to listen, change their minds, and challenge deeply held beliefs.
Another quality that Bezos seeks in candidates is their ability to embrace a maverick mindset. Mavericks and rebels are encouraged to question the status quo and challenge conventional wisdom, bringing fresh perspectives and fostering innovation within the company.
The Interview Process:
During the interview process, Bezos asks three guiding questions to assess each candidate’s fit within Amazon:
- Will you admire this person?
- Will this person raise the average level of effectiveness of the group they’re entering?
- Along what dimension might this person be a superstar?
Setting a high bar in the hiring process is considered the most important element of Amazon’s success. By carefully evaluating each candidate against Amazon’s leadership principles and finding individuals who embody these traits, the company ensures that its teams are composed of exceptional talent.
The Amazon Work Style Assessment and Its Significance
The Amazon Work Style Assessment, also known as a Work Style Survey, is a personality test given to almost any Amazon applicant. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and evaluates specific qualities and work styles to determine if they align with Amazon’s unique culture.
Unlike traditional personality tests, this assessment presents two equal statements and requires individuals to choose which one appeals to them the most.
The test is designed to evaluate if a candidate’s characteristics suit Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles, which are core standards describing the behavior Amazon values in its employees. The Leadership Principles are referenced frequently within the company, and the Work Style Assessment is just one part of the assessment process that evaluates candidates based on these principles.
Tips for Success in the Amazon Work Style Assessment
When taking the Amazon Work Style Assessment, there are key tips to keep in mind in order to succeed. First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that there are indeed “right” and “wrong” answers, despite what the instructions may state. Choosing answers that align with Amazon’s Leadership Principles is essential in demonstrating your suitability for the company.
Another important aspect is to ensure that the personality profile you present does not contradict itself. Carefully read each statement and analyze it using the Leadership Principles to create a coherent and consistent profile. This attention to detail will help you showcase your compatibility with Amazon’s unique culture.
Lastly, remember that the assessment is specifically designed to evaluate how you would behave in a work environment, not in general life. Recruiters are interested in your future on-the-job behavior and how it aligns with Amazon’s Leadership Principles. It is crucial to thoroughly understand these principles in order to effectively answer the assessment questions and highlight your compatibility with Amazon’s work style.
