Tips for Acing Amazon Coding Interviews
Amazon’s coding interview process is renowned for its rigor and focus on both technical expertise and cultural fit.
Interviewers want to see strong problem-solving abilities, solid coding skills, and how well you align with Amazon’s values.
In this guide, we’ll break down expert tips and preparation strategies – from mastering data structures and algorithms to honing behavioral interview answers – to help beginners and intermediate candidates ace their Amazon coding interviews.
Understanding Amazon’s Interview Process
Amazon typically conducts 4 to 6 interview rounds for software roles, depending on the level . The process usually includes:
-
Phone Screen(s): An initial 1-2 rounds of phone or video interviews focused on basic coding or behavioral questions. These screens often involve solving coding problems via an online editor and gauging your communication skills and enthusiasm for Amazon.
-
Onsite Interview (The “Loop”): About 4-5 back-to-back interviews in one day. Expect technical coding rounds (covering algorithms and data structures), possibly a system design round (especially for mid to senior positions), and behavioral rounds that delve into your past experiences. One interviewer will be a Bar Raiser, a specially trained Amazon employee who ensures you meet the company’s high hiring bar.
-
Leadership Principles Focus: Uniquely, Amazon integrates its Leadership Principles into the interview. Every interviewer is evaluating how your answers reflect principles like Customer Obsession, Ownership, Dive Deep, etc. The on-site Loop is heavily centered on these principles, meaning even your technical interviews may include behavioral questions to assess culture fit.
What Do Amazon Interviewers Look for?
They want to see that you can write correct and efficient code, communicate your thought process, and solve problems under pressure.
They also look for clear evidence of ownership, curiosity, and other leadership principles in your examples.
In short, success requires both technical prowess and the right mindset.
Step 1: Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms
Build a Strong Foundation in DSA
Most Amazon coding questions are drawn from fundamental data structures and algorithmic problems.
Focus on mastering:
- arrays
- strings
- linked lists
- stacks
- queues
- trees
- graphs
- hash tables
- searching and sorting algorithms
- recursion
- dynamic programming
Make sure you understand how these structures work and common algorithms associated with them (e.g. tree traversals, graph search, sorting techniques).
Practice implementing them from scratch and solving typical problems for each topic.
Recommended Resources for Practice
Use online platforms to sharpen your skills through hands-on problem solving. For instance, LeetCode and HackerRank offer thousands of coding challenges to apply these concepts.
Courses like Grokking the Coding Interview (for pattern-based problem solving) or classic books like Cracking the Coding Interview are excellent for structured preparation.
Aim to solve a mix of easy and medium problems across all key topics, and gradually tackle a few hard ones.
This will expose you to different problem patterns (two-pointer techniques, BFS/DFS, dynamic programming optimization, etc.) that frequently appear in Amazon interviews.
Tip: Don’t just memorize solutions – focus on understanding problem-solving patterns.
Amazon often tweaks classic problems to test if you can apply patterns to new scenarios.
If you can quickly recognize that a new question is, say, a variation of the “two-sum problem” or a dynamic programming challenge, you’ll formulate solutions faster.
Learn about the common data structures for coding interview prep.
Step 2: Practicing Mock Interviews
Nothing prepares you better than simulating real interview conditions.
Mock interviews help reduce anxiety and improve your communication and problem-solving under time pressure.
Try to practice in an environment similar to an actual interview: use a whiteboard or a shared editor, set a timer (typically 30-45 minutes per problem), and have someone act as the interviewer if possible.
Where To Find Mock Interviews
For a guided practice, consider professional mock interview services like DesignGurus.io that offers one-on-one coding and system design mock interviews with experienced FAANG engineers.
These sessions provide realistic interview questions and immediate feedback on your performance.
The key is to practice articulating your thoughts and writing code in a pressure situation.
After each mock, review feedback carefully to identify areas to improve (whether it’s a specific algorithm or your communication style).
Tip: Treat each mock interview like the real thing – dress appropriately (even for a virtual interview, to get in the mindset), and practice the introduction and ending (e.g., asking thoughtful questions). This builds comfort and confidence for the actual day.
Step 3: Behavioral Questions & Leadership Principles
Amazon puts significant emphasis on behavioral interviews to ensure candidates embody their Leadership Principles.
Expect questions starting with “Tell me about a time when...” that probe how you handled past situations – e.g. resolving a team conflict, taking initiative on a project, dealing with failure, etc.
The goal is to see how you think and act, not just what you know.
Why It Matters
Amazon’s culture is defined by principles like Customer Obsession, Ownership, Invent and Simplify, Dive Deep, Bias for Action, and more. Interviewers will evaluate your answers for alignment with these values. They want to hire people who not only can do the job, but will thrive in Amazon’s fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Use the STAR method
Structure your answers using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep them clear and impactful.
Begin by describing the Situation and Task – set the context and what goal or problem you faced.
Then explain the Action you personally took, and finally the Result or outcome of your actions. This method ensures you cover all parts of the story in a concise way.
For example, if asked about a time you showed leadership: briefly outline the project and challenge (Situation/Task), detail what you did to lead or solve the problem (Action), and conclude with the positive outcome or lesson learned (Result).
Practicing a few STAR stories for common themes (leadership, conflict, failure, success, innovation) will help you answer smoothly during the interview.
Remember to draw on different examples from your experience that highlight various principles.
Understand the Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles.
Step 4: Time Management & Problem-Solving Approach
How you approach problems in the interview is just as important as getting the correct answer.
Amazon interviewers pay close attention to your methodology and communication.
Here’s a step-by-step approach:
-
Understand the Problem: Take a minute to read and fully grasp the question. Don’t rush into coding immediately. Ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear – about input format, constraints, or edge cases. This shows thoroughness and avoids misunderstandings.
-
Plan Your Solution: Before coding, outline your approach. Discuss the algorithm or data structure you intend to use and why. If there are multiple ways to solve it, compare briefly and choose one. This planning phase might involve writing pseudocode or breaking the problem into subproblems. Interviewers appreciate a structured approach where you break down a complex problem into manageable parts .
-
Think Out Loud: As you work through the solution, continuously narrate your thought process. Explain what part you’re tackling now (“First, I’ll sort the array to make it easier to find pairs…”), and voice any checks (“This should handle duplicates, but I need to consider negative numbers as well”). Verbalizing your thoughts helps the interviewer follow your logic and see your analytical skills . If you get stuck, they might even provide a hint – and being communicative makes it easier for them to guide you.
-
Manage the Clock: Be mindful of time. If you’re spending too long on one approach that isn’t working, it’s okay to acknowledge it and pivot to another idea. A common pitfall is getting hung up on a bug or an optimal solution immediately – it’s often better to present a workable solution first, then refine it if time permits. Show that you can balance speed and correctness. For a 45-minute interview, a rough time split might be: ~5 min to understand and plan, ~30 min to code, ~5-10 min to test and discuss improvements.
-
Test Your Code: After coding, don’t declare “done” and fall silent. Proactively test your solution with a couple of sample cases (including an edge case). This demonstrates thoroughness. Walk through the code logic with an example input to ensure it produces the expected output. If you find a bug, explain how you’d fix it. Finishing a few minutes early? Use the time to discuss potential optimizations or alternate approaches (show you can Dive Deep and Think Big when prompted).
By following these steps, you not only solve the problem but also showcase a clear, logical problem-solving process – exactly what Amazon interviewers want to see.
Find out the 18 top Amazon coding interview questions.
Step 5: Final Week Preparation Plan
In the week leading up to your Amazon interview, a structured revision plan can boost your confidence.
Here’s a 7-day prep plan to make the most of the final stretch:
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Assess & Plan: Identify your strong and weak areas. Review the list of common topics and pinpoint any gaps. Create a focused study plan for the week, prioritizing core topics (arrays, trees, etc.) that need more work. |
| Day 2-3 | Core DSA Review: Revisit fundamental data structures and their key operations (insertion, deletion, traversal). Make sure you can explain their use-cases and complexities. Solve a set of practice problems on each topic (e.g. two problems on arrays, two on linked lists, etc.) to reinforce your understanding. |
| Day 4-5 | Algorithms & Patterns: Focus on algorithms like sorting and searching, and tackle a few problems on recursion or dynamic programming if relevant . During these days, simulate timed coding sessions – pick random interview questions and solve them start-to-finish in a single sitting while talking out loud, as you would in the real interview. |
| Day 6 | Mock Interview & Review: Do at least one full mock interview (with a friend or online service). Treat it seriously with a timer and problem you haven’t seen before. Afterward, analyze your performance: Did you miss any edge cases? Were there moments you struggled to communicate? Go back to any troublesome practice problems and redo them. |
| Day 7 | Light Revision & Rest: Resist the urge to cram new topics now. Spend this day lightly reviewing your notes, key formulas (e.g. common time complexities), and revisiting your prepared behavioral stories. Make sure you’re well-rested – get a good night’s sleep and relax with a confidence-boosting activity. Also, double-check your interview logistics (charged laptop, good internet, a quiet space) so everything is ready. |
Following this plan ensures you cover all bases without burning out right before the interview.
Each day has a purpose, and by the end of Day 7, you should feel prepared, refreshed, and eager to tackle the interview.
Learn about the complete Amazon interview process.
Recommended Resources for Amazon Coding Interview Preparation
-
Grokking the Coding Interview (for pattern-based problem solving)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even strong candidates can stumble due to avoidable mistakes. Be mindful of these common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
-
Not clarifying the problem: Don’t rush in without understanding the question. Failing to ask clarifying questions or to confirm input/output requirements can lead you down the wrong path. Always restate the problem in your own words and ask about any ambiguous details before you start solving.
-
Ignoring edge cases: It’s easy to focus on the main scenario and overlook corner cases (e.g. empty inputs, very large values, duplicate entries). Interviewers often probe your solution with edge cases, so incorporate them in your thinking. Before coding, explicitly mention a couple of edge cases and ensure your approach handles them . After coding, test with those cases.
-
Not explaining your thought process: Some candidates go heads-down and code in silence – this is a mistake. If the interviewer can’t follow your reasoning, they can’t tell if a stumble is due to a minor slip or a fundamental gap. Continuously talk through your approach and decisions. This also helps you stay on track and makes it easier for the interviewer to give hints if you need them.
-
Poor time management: Keep an eye on the clock. Spending 30 minutes on an optimal solution you can’t finish is worse than getting a decent solution in 20 minutes and then improving it. Allocate your time wisely – if you’re stuck, it’s okay to outline how you’d solve the remaining part and focus on what you can do. Showing awareness of the time constraint is better than being cut off mid-sentence because you tried to code a complex solution from scratch and ran out of time.
-
Neglecting to test: Writing the final line of code isn’t the end. Not running through a quick test can leave obvious bugs (off-by-one errors, etc.) unnoticed. Always use a minute or two to walk through your code with an example input – this diligence can be the difference between a working solution and a failing one.
Avoiding these mistakes will significantly improve your performance. Essentially, clarity, completeness, and communication are your best friends in a coding interview.
Learn how to avoid coding interview mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for an Amazon coding interview can be challenging, but with the right strategy and consistent effort, you can greatly improve your chances of success.
Remember that it’s not just about solving one problem – it’s about demonstrating a holistic set of skills: algorithmic thinking, coding proficiency, effective communication, and cultural fit with Amazon’s principles.
In summary, focus on the fundamentals (DSA and problem-solving patterns), practice rigorously (including mocks and timed drills), and be ready to discuss behavioral examples that highlight your alignment with Amazon’s Leadership Principles.
Use every preparation opportunity to refine how you approach problems and articulate your thoughts. Even if you have limited time, concentrating on core concepts and realistic practice can significantly boost your readiness.
On the day of the interview, stay calm and confident. If you’ve put in the practice, you can walk in knowing you have the tools to tackle whatever comes your way.
Key takeaway: Acing Amazon’s coding interview isn’t about memorizing answers – it’s about building real skills.
Master the basics, practice under real conditions, learn from mistakes, and embody the problem-solving and leadership traits Amazon values.
With these expert tips and a disciplined approach, you’ll be well on your way to coding interview success.
GET YOUR FREE
Coding Questions Catalog
