What is a loop interview in Amazon?

A loop interview at Amazon is a critical part of the hiring process, typically consisting of 4 to 5 back-to-back interviews. During this process, candidates meet with multiple Amazon employees, often including future colleagues, team leaders, and a Bar Raiser—a specially trained interviewer responsible for maintaining Amazon's high hiring standards.

Key Components of a Loop Interview:

1. Multiple Interviewers: You’ll meet with several interviewers from different areas, such as the hiring manager, team members, and possibly people from related teams. This gives Amazon a well-rounded view of how you might fit within the team and company.

2. Technical and Behavioral Questions: Depending on the role, the loop interview will involve technical problem-solving (e.g., coding, system design) as well as behavioral questions. Every interviewer, regardless of the role, will assess how well you align with Amazon’s Leadership Principles.

3. Bar Raiser: One of the interviewers will be a Bar Raiser, who is responsible for ensuring that candidates meet Amazon’s high standards. The Bar Raiser focuses on cultural fit and long-term value, and they hold significant influence over the hiring decision.

4. Structured Format: Each interview typically lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour, and you’ll go through multiple rounds in one day. The loop can last between 3 to 5 hours in total.

5. Feedback Consolidation: After the loop interviews, all interviewers will provide feedback, and a discussion is held to decide whether to extend an offer. The Bar Raiser plays an important role in this decision.

Why the Loop Interview is Important:

• Comprehensive Assessment: The loop allows Amazon to evaluate both your technical skills and behavioral alignment with its Leadership Principles.
• Team Fit: By meeting multiple people from the team, Amazon can assess how well you’ll integrate and collaborate.
• High Standards: The presence of the Bar Raiser ensures that Amazon hires candidates who exceed the bar, meaning your performance is carefully scrutinized.

The loop interview is a rigorous but essential part of Amazon's hiring process to ensure that only top-quality candidates are selected for the role.