Amazon UX Researcher Interview Guide

Interview Guide Aug 15

Detailed, specific guidance on the Amazon UX Researcher interview process - with a breakdown of different stages and interview questions asked at each stage

The role of an Amazon UX Researcher

Amazon's UX Researcher role is an exciting opportunity for those who are passionate about diving deep into user experiences and making a real impact. As a UX Researcher at Amazon, you'll be part of a dynamic team of researchers who use a mix of methods to uncover valuable customer insights. For more UX roles, explore the Apple UX Designer and Microsoft UX Designer guides.

What makes this role appealing is the chance to work on challenging questions and see your research efforts directly translate into improving the customer experience. You'll collaborate closely with a diverse group of talented professionals from different backgrounds, which adds a stimulating dimension to your work.

Amazon offers a competitive salary ranging from $121,800 to $226,500 per year, and it can vary based on factors like location, experience level, and skills.

Ideal candidates for Amazon's UX Researcher role are those who thrive on solving complex problems, enjoy the world of UX research, and want to be part of a team that's dedicated to enhancing customer experiences.

Amazon UX Researcher Interview Guide

Interview Guide

The Amazon's UX Researcher broadly consists of the following key rounds:

  • Phone Interview with Hiring Manager
  • Video Call with Senior UX Researcher
  • Onsite Interview
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Let's discuss them in detail.

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Amazon UX Researcher - Phone Interview with Hiring Manager

Overview

The initial phone interview is typically a friendly and casual "get-to-know-you" conversation. Its primary purpose is to allow the hiring manager to learn more about you as a candidate and to gauge your fit for the role. 

The interview usually starts with a brief introduction from both sides. You might briefly discuss your background, where you're currently working or studying, and any relevant experience. Expect questions about why you're interested in Amazon specifically. This is where you can demonstrate your knowledge of the company and explain why you believe Amazon is the right place for your career goals.

You'll likely be asked to delve into your previous experiences in UX research. Be ready to discuss specific projects, methodologies you've used, and the impact of your work.

Toward the end of the interview, you'll likely have a chance to ask questions of your own.

Amazon UX Researcher - Video Call with Senior UX Researcher

Overview

During this part of the interview, you'll typically present your past experiences or side projects related to UX research. The good news is, you'll have ample time to prepare for this 45-minute presentation, which will give you an opportunity to give insight into your research expertise, the methods you use, how you tackle challenges, etc.

Make sure you craft your presentation as a narrative; start with the problem or challenge, explain the steps you took to address it, and end with the results or impact of your work. 

Be ready for follow-up questions that dive deeper into your experiences, such as how you conducted initial user interviews and tests. It's important to clearly define your role in the project; emphasise what you specifically did, especially if you were part of a larger team.

One unique aspect of Amazon is that they use their own web conferencing software called Chime for these interviews, rather than more commonly used platforms like Zoom or Skype. This can pose a bit of a challenge, especially during your presentation. So, familiarise yourself with the Chime environment beforehand. Test it out, make sure your camera and microphone work properly, and practice navigating within the platform.

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Amazon UX Researcher - Onsite Round

Overview

Behavioural Interview

The behavioral interview is a key part of the Amazon UX Researcher interview process, lasting approximately 45 minutes. During this interview, Amazon is keen to understand how you work in real-world scenarios, interact with various stakeholders, collaborate with your colleagues, and your overall work style.

They essentially want to delve into your past research projects, outcomes—and determine if you are a good fit for the organisation. Is there a strong alignment between your visions and Amazon's visions? What are your motivations for joining Amazon?

Additionally, they want to assess the strength of your insights and the impact you've made in previous projects and organisations. For instance, what types of insights or findings have you delivered, and how did they lead to measurable successes for the end stakeholder?

To prepare for these questions, be sure to have specific examples ready that highlight your collaboration skills, work style, and the tangible impact you've had in your previous research roles.

Plus, don't forget to show your alignment with Amazon's values throughout the interview since the behavioural questions will largely pertain to Amazon’s Leadership Principles. For more insights into how to align with Amazon's culture and values, explore the Amazon's Bar Raiser Interview guide.You can practise this round with a mock interviewer, possibly a friend, colleague, or professional to get better at explaining your problem-solving approach, and communicating your thought process. We have several Amazon UX Researchers on Prepfully who would be happy to help you out. You can book a mock session with them directly if you so wish. 

Technical Interview

The technical interview is a comprehensive assessment of your research skills, problem-solving abilities, and your capacity to navigate challenges and opportunities within the field. Consider reviewing related research roles with the Google UX Researcher and Facebook UX Researcher guides.

It typically lasts for around 45 minutes and consists of two main components: a portfolio review and a research challenge

  • Portfolio Review: During this part of the interview, you can expect to dive deep into one of your past research projects. The goal here is to provide the interviewers with a comprehensive understanding of your research process. They want to know how you approached the project, what methodologies you used, and how those methodologies contributed to the desired outcome.
  • Research Challenge: The research challenge segment focuses on a specific scenario or business requirement. The interviewers will want to see how you analyse the situation and determine which research methodologies or activities would be most suitable to achieve the intended goals.

In essence, the interviewers want to gauge your command over a wide range of research methods, tools, and deliverables. Can you adapt and mix various methods as needed for different research problems? Can you comprehend when and why specific methods are suitable for specific types of issues? Can you take raw data and distil it into valuable insights for their team? Are you logical and methodical in their research approach? Here, effective communication is key. You should be able to articulate their findings clearly, both in writing and verbally.

They also aim to evaluate your ability to proactively and diplomatically handle challenges and opportunities that may arise in the role of a UX researcher (they will inquire about your past experiences in this regard). Share specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how you embody empathy, analytical prowess, effective communication, and self-awareness.

Interview Questions

Interview Questions

  • Can you share a situation when you encountered a conflict with a client or had differing project goals? How did you navigate this challenge?
  • When balancing the needs of stakeholders and users in a UX project, what strategies do you employ to ensure a harmonious outcome?
  • What attracts you to this job specifically?
  • Could you walk me through a research-intensive project from your portfolio?
  • In your opinion, what are the areas that could be improved on Amazon.com, and how would you enhance the UX?
  • If tasked with conducting a UX research study to improve the Amazon.com books page, what approach would you take?
  • Tell me about a time when you faced failure in your work.
  • Share an experience of working within a team and your role in it.
  • How would you design a research study for a concept product that focus group participants might not fully grasp initially?
  • Describe your preferred research methods and your areas of expertise within UX research.
  • What methods do you use to communicate your findings effectively to different stakeholders?
  • Can you provide an example of one of the most challenging decisions you've had to make as a researcher?
  • Reflect on your greatest weakness as identified by a manager or client.
  • How do you determine if your research findings have had a meaningful impact?

Amazon UX Researcher Roles and Responsibilities

Following are the roles and responsibilities of an Amazon UX Researcher:

  • As a UX Researcher, you'll help teams figure out the right questions to ask during the development process. This is crucial for understanding what customers want.
  • You'll create research plans and roadmaps that align with Amazon's business strategy. This helps ensure that research efforts are in sync with the company's goals.
  • You'll be responsible for choosing and using the right research methods. These can range from field research and surveys to lab studies, remote testing, and A/B tests.
  • Convincing decision-makers to act on your research findings is a significant part of the role. You'll need to inspire and show them how improving the user experience can benefit the business.
  • Translating insights into measurable improvements for the customer experience is essential. It's about making sure that what you discover directly impacts the business in a positive way
  • You'll work closely with various teams like design, product management, engineering, and marketing to create innovative solutions. The iterative process involves designing and testing until you achieve desired outcomes.
  • Your work isn't limited to just one team. You'll generate insights and artefacts that can influence and be adopted by other teams across Amazon, promoting a consistent user experience.

Amazon UX Researcher Skills and Qualifications

Here are the skills and qualifications that an Amazon UX Researcher must have:

  • You should have a track record of at least three years contributing to the design of successful digital products and services. An MA or MS in fields like Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Factors, Human Computer Interaction, Behavioral Economics, or a related discipline is essential to demonstrate your academic foundation.
  • You should have an excellent command of generative user research methodologies, which involve understanding user needs, behaviours, and motivations.
  • Experience in utilising behavioural data and designing and analysing A-B tests is a valuable asset. It demonstrates your ability to use data-driven insights for product improvements.
  • Familiarity with researching and developing products and services for global markets is crucial, as Amazon operates on a global scale.
  • Proficiency in using data analysis, data visualisation, and knowledge management tools such as Tableau can enhance your research capabilities.
  • Broad experience with various research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, attitudinal and behavioural, generative and evaluative, is essential. This includes a solid grasp of quantitative data analysis and inferential statistics.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills are vital. You should be able to distil complex ideas into concise and accurate narratives that can enlighten and inspire stakeholders.
  • A deep understanding of human motivations, capabilities, and limitations, especially as they apply to the design of interactive systems, is key.

Frequently Asked Questions