Why is Amazon the best answer?

When candidates are asked, “Why Amazon?” in an interview, giving the best answer requires aligning your response with what Amazon values most—its Leadership Principles, innovative culture, and global impact. Let’s break down why Amazon is considered one of the best places to work and how you can craft the ideal response:

1. Amazon’s Leadership Principles

Amazon’s 14 Leadership Principles form the foundation of the company’s culture. Highlighting how these principles resonate with you demonstrates that you understand and appreciate Amazon’s unique approach to business.

Key Principles to Mention:

• Customer Obsession: Amazon’s relentless focus on customers drives its innovation. You could mention how you admire their commitment to delivering the best customer experiences and how you also prioritize customers in your work.
• Ownership: Emphasize your appreciation for Amazon’s culture of ownership, where employees are encouraged to take responsibility for projects and act as leaders.
• Bias for Action: Amazon moves quickly, and showing that you thrive in fast-paced environments with a bias for action will make you stand out.

Example Answer: "I’m excited about Amazon because of its strong culture of customer obsession. I’ve always been driven by delivering value to end-users, and Amazon’s relentless focus on customers aligns perfectly with how I approach problem-solving. I also appreciate the emphasis on ownership and bias for action, as I enjoy taking initiative and driving projects from start to finish."

2. Amazon’s Innovative Environment

Amazon is at the forefront of innovation, from cloud computing (AWS) to e-commerce and AI. If you're passionate about working with cutting-edge technologies, this is a great opportunity to show your excitement.

Mention Innovation Like:

• AWS and Cloud Computing: Amazon Web Services is a leader in cloud technology. If you're interested in cloud computing, mention how you’d love to contribute to their innovative cloud solutions.
• AI and Machine Learning: Amazon is using AI in areas like Alexa, recommendation engines, and logistics. If you’re excited about AI, highlight this.

Example Answer: "Amazon’s commitment to innovation, especially in areas like cloud computing and AI, excites me. The scale at which AWS operates and the advancements in machine learning make it an ideal environment for someone like me who’s passionate about working with emerging technologies."

3. Global Scale and Impact

Amazon’s global reach and ability to affect millions of people daily are unmatched. As one of the world’s largest companies, working at Amazon means contributing to projects that have real-world impact.

Mention:

• Global Reach: Highlight your excitement about working for a company that operates on a global scale, impacting millions of customers.
• Solving Big Problems: Emphasize your interest in tackling big challenges that affect millions of users.

Example Answer: "I’m drawn to Amazon because of its incredible global reach and the opportunity to solve large-scale problems. Working on projects that affect millions of customers and drive innovation at such a massive scale is both exciting and motivating for me."

4. Career Growth Opportunities

Amazon is known for its fast career growth, making it a great place to start or advance your career. Employees who perform well are given the opportunity to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles.

Highlight Career Growth:

• Learning and Development: Mention that you’re excited about the potential to learn from top industry professionals and grow your skills.
• Opportunities to Lead: Show your enthusiasm for Amazon’s fast-paced environment where strong performers quickly rise to leadership positions.

Example Answer: "I’m also attracted to Amazon because of the opportunities for growth. I know that Amazon values initiative and ownership, and I’m eager to continuously learn and advance in my career, while contributing meaningfully to the company’s success."

5. Amazon’s Culture of Ownership and Autonomy

Amazon empowers its employees to take ownership of their projects, providing a high level of autonomy and responsibility. If you enjoy working independently and driving your own initiatives, this is a strong point to mention.

Example Answer: "I admire Amazon’s culture of ownership and autonomy, where employees are trusted to take charge of their work. This resonates with me because I thrive in environments where I can independently tackle challenges and drive projects to completion."

Conclusion

Amazon is considered one of the best companies to work for because of its focus on innovation, its strong culture centered around Leadership Principles, and its commitment to employee growth and ownership. Crafting your response to the question “Why Amazon?” should revolve around these key aspects while aligning with your own professional goals and values.

To further prepare for your Amazon interview, especially behavioral questions around Leadership Principles, check out Grokking the Modern Behavioral Interview on DesignGurus.io. This will help you refine your answers and align them with Amazon’s expectations.