Most asked Amazon coding questions

Want to ace your Amazon coding interview? Here's what you need to know:

• Amazon's interview process takes 4-8 weeks and includes resume screening, online tests, and multiple interviews • Coding questions focus on data structures, algorithms, and system design • Top question types: arrays/strings, trees/graphs, dynamic programming, and system design • Behavioral questions based on Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles are crucial • European salaries range from €93K-€233K depending on level and country

Key tips:

• Practice coding problems daily, especially on LeetCode
• Prepare STAR stories for behavioral questions
• Know Amazon's Leadership Principles inside out
• Use the STAR method for behavioral answers
• Do mock interviews to simulate the real thing

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How Amazon Interviews Work

Amazon's interview process is tough and structured. It's designed to find the best talent in tech, especially for software engineering jobs in Europe. Here's how it works:

Interview Steps

The whole process usually takes 4-8 weeks. Here's what you can expect:

1. Resume Screening

Your application gets a once-over from recruiters and hiring managers.

2. Online Assessments

You'll face a 90-minute HackerRank test. It's got two coding problems that focus on data structures and algorithms.

3. Phone Interviews

These last 45-60 minutes. They're checking your tech skills, personality, and how well you fit with Amazon's culture.

4. On-site Interviews

This is "the loop." It's 4-6 sessions, each 45 minutes long. You'll get a mix of technical and behavioral questions.

5. Bar Raiser Interview

This is unique to Amazon. Someone from another team checks if you're better than half of the current employees at your level.

6. Hiring Decision

Amazon promises to let you know within 5 business days after your on-site interviews.

Most candidates finish all this in about a month. That's pretty quick compared to other big tech companies.

Europe Office Details

The core interview structure is the same worldwide, but European offices have some differences:

European interviews often have more stages and are more formal than in the US. They focus more on behavioral and situational questions that match Amazon's Leadership Principles. You might also get questions about work-life balance and teamwork.

Depending on where in Europe you're applying, they might test your language skills. And be ready to talk about working in diverse, multicultural teams.

One candidate who interviewed for a software engineering job in Europe said:

"The recruiter was absolutely amazing throughout, and even though the entire process took ~2 months, she made sure I was kept updated regularly."

This shows how important it is to keep in touch with your recruiter during the process.

To do well in Amazon's European interviews:

1. Get really good at data structures and algorithms for the tech tests.
2. Prepare real examples that show Amazon's Leadership Principles in action.
3. Practice using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
4. Research the specific European office you're applying to and its culture.

Main Question Types

Amazon's coding interviews are tough. They test how well you solve problems and know your tech stuff. Let's look at the questions you'll probably face:

Array and String Problems

These are the bread and butter of coding interviews. They check if you can handle data structures well. Here are two classic examples:

Two Sum: Find two numbers in an array that add up to a target. It's all about making your code fast and efficient.

Valid Anagram: Figure out if two strings are anagrams. This one tests how well you work with strings and hash tables.

LeetCode says these types of questions popped up in 35% of Amazon's coding interviews in 2022.

Tree and Graph Questions

These questions dig into more complex data structures. They're crucial for seeing how well you understand tricky concepts. Common ones include:

Invert Binary Tree: This one got famous when Max Howell tweeted about it in a Google interview. It's all about flipping a tree structure.

Clone a Graph: Make an exact copy of a graph. It tests if you know your way around graphs and memory management.

Sarah Chen, who used to interview for Amazon, says:

"We use tree and graph questions to see if candidates can think recursively and handle complex data relationships. These skills are key for many Amazon systems."

Dynamic Programming Tasks

These questions check if you can make your solutions super efficient. Two big ones are:

Coin Change: Find the least number of coins to make up an amount.

Climbing Stairs: Work out how many ways there are to climb stairs when you can take 1 or 2 steps at a time.

Glassdoor data shows these questions came up in about 20% of Amazon's coding interviews last year.

System Design Questions

For higher-level jobs, system design questions are key. They're open-ended and test if you can design big systems. Interviewers look at:

• How you break down complex problems
• If you get scalability and performance trade-offs
• Your knowledge of design patterns and best practices

A good example? Designing something like Amazon's product recommendation engine. It tests if you can handle tons of data, process things in real-time, and use machine learning concepts.

How Questions Are Asked

Amazon's coding interviews test your problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and communication. Here's how to tackle them:

Steps to Solve Problems

When you get a coding question, do this:

1. Clarify the problem

Ask questions. Make sure you get it. For example:

"Are we dealing with integers or floats?" "Do negative numbers matter here?"

2. Think out loud

Share your thoughts. It helps the interviewer follow your logic. You might say:

"I'm thinking a hash table could work here. It's O(1) for lookups, but I'm wondering about the space trade-off."

3. Break it down

Split big problems into smaller chunks. It's less overwhelming and easier to manage.

4. Visualize it

For stuff like trees or graphs, draw it out. It can help you see the problem more clearly.

5. Solve manually first

Before you code, work it out by hand. It can help you spot patterns and develop a solution.

Yangshun, an ex-Meta Staff Engineer, says:

"There are structured ways to approach coding interview questions that will increase your chances of solving them."

Code Performance

Amazon interviewers care about efficient solutions. They look for:

1. Time complexity

Explain your algorithm's Big O notation. Be ready to discuss why you chose your approach and any trade-offs.

2. Space complexity

Talk about how much memory your solution uses. Is it the best it can be?

3. Optimization

After your first solution, think about how to make it better. Show you can improve your own work.

4. Edge cases

Discuss potential edge cases and how your solution handles them. It shows you're thorough.

When talking about performance, be specific. Don't say "This solution is pretty fast." Instead, say something like:

"This solution has O(n log n) time complexity because of the sorting algorithm. It uses O(n) space since we're storing all elements in a hash map."

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Amazon Leadership Questions

Amazon's interview process goes beyond coding skills. The company puts a big focus on its Leadership Principles during interviews. These 16 principles form the core of Amazon's culture and how they make decisions.

Behavior Questions

Behavioral questions play a key role in Amazon's interviews. They're used to see how well you match up with their Leadership Principles. Here's what you should know:

What to Expect

You'll get questions that start with "Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example of...". These questions aim to uncover your past experiences.

You might hear things like:

• "Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer." (Customer Obsession)
• "Tell me about a time when you took ownership of a project and its outcome." (Ownership)
• "Can you give an example of how you built trusting relationships with others?" (Earn Trust)

How to Prepare

1. Know the Principles

Get familiar with Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles. They include Customer Obsession, Ownership, Invent and Simplify, and more.

2. Use STAR

Structure your answers using Situation, Task, Action, Result. This helps you give clear, focused responses.

3. Have Stories Ready

Prepare at least one story for each principle. Make sure these stories show off your skills and fit with Amazon's values.

4. Practice Out Loud

Rehearse your responses. This helps you sound more natural in the actual interview.

Key Principles to Focus On

While all 16 principles matter, some come up more often. Pay extra attention to:

• Customer Obsession
• Ownership
• Invent and Simplify
• Deliver Results

Real Interview Example

Here's how a candidate might answer a question about Customer Obsession:

"As a customer service manager at XYZ Corp, we had a client frustrated with our product. Instead of just following procedure, I worked directly with our engineering team to find a solution. We created a custom feature that solved the client's problem and became a standard offering. This boosted our customer satisfaction scores by 15% and led to a 20% increase in renewals that quarter."

This answer shows how the candidate went above and beyond for a customer, fitting perfectly with Amazon's Customer Obsession principle.

Link to Technical Skills

These behavioral questions aren't separate from your technical skills. They're often used to see how you apply your tech knowledge in real situations.

For example, a question about Invent and Simplify might lead you to talk about how you made a complex algorithm better, showing both your tech skills and your ability to think creatively.

Dave Anderson, a former Director at Amazon, says:

"We obviously hire based on the principles. We give both positive and negative feedback, which references the principles."

Pay in Europe

Amazon pays its software engineers well in Europe, but not as much as in the US. Let's break it down by country.

Pay by Country

Here's what Amazon software engineers make in some European countries:

Country	Level	Total Pay Range
Germany	L4 - L7	€93.9K - €233K
Luxembourg	L4 - L6	€95.8K - €162K
Ireland	SDE I	€91.4K - €129K+

In Germany, the average total pay is about €141K per year. The highest reported package? A whopping €233,179.

Luxembourg is similar, with an average of €141K. The top package there is €175,179.

In Ireland, a new Software Development Engineer (SDE I) typically makes around €111,620.

Remember, these numbers can change based on your experience and how well you negotiate. As Felix Gerschau from Next Level Jobs EU says:

"Software engineering salaries in Europe are going up, and Amazon's often at the front. But there's still a big gap between US and European pay, especially for stocks and bonuses."

What's in the Package?

Amazon's pay in Europe isn't just about the salary. Here's what you might get:

1. Base Salary: This is the main part, usually 70-88% of your total pay.

2. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): These are stocks that vest over time:

• 5% after year 1
• 15% after year 2
• 40% after year 3
• 40% after year 4

3. Bonuses: You might get 12-13% of your total pay as a bonus each year.

4. Health Insurance: You'll get good health coverage, but it depends on the country.

5. Parental Leave: Many European locations offer up to 14 weeks for pregnancy and 6 weeks for new parents.

6. Retirement Savings: Amazon usually offers something like a 401(k), but it varies by country.

7. Life Insurance: This is typically part of the deal.

These benefits can add up. For example, if you get €500,000 in RSUs in Germany, you'd get €25,000 after the first year, €75,000 after the second, and €200,000 each in the third and fourth years.

Finding High-Paying Jobs

If you're looking for top-paying software jobs in Europe, check out Next Level Jobs EU. They list jobs paying €100K and up across Europe.

What's cool about Next Level Jobs EU:

• You can filter by location and tech stack
• They'll notify you about new jobs
• It's easy to use
• They have a blog with helpful info

Here's what it costs:

Plan	Price	What You Get
1 Month	€9.50	See all jobs, apply early
3 Months	€16.50	New jobs weekly, alerts
1 Year	€30	Get feedback, early access

Using a site like this can help you find great jobs at places like Amazon and compare offers across Europe.

How to Prepare

Getting ready for Amazon's coding interviews in Europe takes work and smart planning. Here's how to set yourself up for success:

Study Materials

To nail Amazon's technical interviews, you need the right stuff. Here's what to use:

Books:

"Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a must-read. It covers all the key algorithms and data structures you'll need. Another good one is "Elements of Programming Interviews" by Adnan Aziz, Tsung-Hsien Lee, and Amit Prakash. It digs deep into problem-solving strategies.

Online Platforms:

LeetCode is your best friend here. It's got over 1,800 coding problems. Look for the "Amazon" tag to find company-specific questions. HackerRank is also great for boosting your overall coding skills.

Sarah Chen, who used to interview for Amazon, says:

"We love tree and graph questions. They show us if you can think recursively and handle complex data relationships. These skills are big at Amazon."

To make the most of these resources:

Start with the basics. Brush up on your data structures and algorithms. Practice every day - aim for at least an hour or two. Focus on Amazon's favorites: arrays, strings, trees, and graphs. And always think about how to make your solutions faster and use less memory.

Practice Interviews

Mock interviews are key. Here's how to do them right:

Find a practice buddy. Team up with a friend or use Pramp for peer interviews. Make it feel real - use a whiteboard or shared doc to code. Time yourself - Amazon's coding interviews usually last 45-60 minutes. And talk through your thinking out loud.

Evgeny Bik from Day One Careers says don't forget about the behavioral part:

"We wrote this guide because we've coached thousands of Amazon candidates. We wanted to share what we've learned with everyone."

To ace the behavioral bit:

Know Amazon's Leadership Principles inside out. There are 16 of them, and they're a big deal at Amazon. Prepare STAR stories - that's Situation, Task, Action, Result. Have at least one story for each principle. And practice on video to polish your delivery.

Here's a heads up: Amazon's interview process is tough. A study found that 60-80% of candidates get cut based on the aptitude test alone. So prepare for everything.

Conclusion

Acing Amazon coding interviews isn't easy. But with the right approach, you can boost your chances. Here's what you need to focus on:

It's Not Just About Code

Amazon's interviews are a bit different. They care about your coding skills, sure. But they also want to know if you're a good fit for their culture. An anonymous candidate put it this way:

"PREPARE WELL FOR BEHAVIOURAL, they have a set of 16 LPs and they want to focus on that no matter what."

Those "LPs" are Amazon's Leadership Principles. They're a big deal.

How to Get Ready

Your prep should cover two main areas:

1. Tech Stuff

Learn your data structures and algorithms. Practice coding problems every day. Aim for at least an hour or two of focused study.

2. People Stuff

Think about times you've shown leadership. Write them down. Use the STAR method to structure your stories:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

It helps to practice with mock interviews. Sites like Pramp let you practice with other people preparing for tech interviews.

Amazon's Culture is Unique

Amazon takes its culture seriously. Just look at what Jeff Bezos said:

"I'd rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than hire the wrong person."

They're picky, and for good reason.

Use the Right Tools

There's a ton of stuff out there to help you prepare:

• "Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a classic
• LeetCode and HackerRank are great for practice
• Look for Amazon-specific interview guides

Keep Your Cool

Remember, Amazon isn't just testing your skills. They want to see if you'll fit in. GG, a former Amazon Bar Raiser, says:

"By combining a thorough understanding of Amazon's values with diligent preparation and practice, candidates can position themselves for success in the competitive landscape of Amazon's hiring process."

So study hard, but also be yourself. Good luck!

FAQs

Is the Amazon assessment pass or fail?

The Amazon assessment isn't black and white. It's more like a filter than a strict pass/fail test. Here's the deal:

The online MBA assessment has three parts. None of these are about Amazon trivia or specific job skills. Instead, they're looking at how you think and solve problems.

JobTestPrep puts it this way:

"The online MBA assessment includes three sections, in which no specific Amazon or functional knowledge and skills are evaluated. Nevertheless, you must successfully pass it to advance to the interview stage."

Amazon keeps their exact scoring system under wraps, but here's what we know:

• It's part of Amazon's push for fair hiring.
• They use it to spot candidates who fit their culture.
• Prepping can give you an edge.

Want to boost your chances? Try these:

1. Get cozy with Amazon's Leadership Principles. They're a big deal in Amazon's world.
2. If you're going for a tech role, brush up on your coding.
3. Sharpen your problem-solving skills. Amazon LOVES out-of-the-box thinking.