Amazon UX Researcher Interview Guide

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.

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.

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. 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.

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

• 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?