Technology / E-commerce · Graduate & Early Careers

Amazon Graduate Scheme

Quick answer

Amazon's graduate routes (operations, tech, and commercial) are built around the Leadership Principles — every stage, including online assessments and interviews, scores you against them. Expect a work-style assessment, a video or phone interview, and a virtual loop with behavioural questions answered in STAR format, plus role-specific technical content.

About the Amazon Graduate & Early Careers

Amazon hires graduates at scale into operations management, software development and programme roles. Its famously principle-driven process rewards specific, metric-rich STAR stories and clear individual ownership.

Eligibility & entry requirements

Degree in a relevant field (varies)Right to workEvidence of ownership and delivering resultsSTAR-ready examples

The application & selection process

Amazon graduate selection process1Application & assessments2Video/phone interview3Virtual loop4Offer
Amazon graduate selection process
StageWhat to expect
Application & assessmentsWork-style and aptitude assessments mapped to the Leadership Principles.
Video/phone interviewBehavioural questions in STAR format.
Virtual loop2–4 interviews scoring specific Leadership Principles, plus technical content for tech roles.
OfferDecision and offer.

Common Amazon interview questions

  1. 1Tell me about a time you took ownership beyond your remit.
  2. 2Describe a time you delivered results under a deadline.
  3. 3Tell me about a time you disagreed and committed.
  4. 4Give an example of diving deep to find a root cause.
  5. 5Why Amazon, and why this programme?

How to get an offer

  • Prepare 2 STAR stories per relevant Leadership Principle.
  • Use 'I', not 'we' — Amazon scores individual ownership.
  • Include metrics in every story.
  • Expect deep follow-up questions.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Vague stories without metrics.
  • Saying 'we' throughout.
  • Not knowing the Leadership Principles.
  • Thin examples that collapse under follow-ups.

Application deadlines

Amazon recruits year-round with intakes varying by programme — apply when roles open.

Salary & benefits

Amazon graduate salaries typically range from £35k–£60k+ depending on role, with sign-on and equity for tech roles.

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare for Amazon graduate interviews?

Learn the 16 Leadership Principles and prepare about two specific, metric-rich STAR stories per principle — every stage scores against them.

Do Amazon graduate schemes include technical tests?

Tech roles include coding assessments; operations and commercial roles focus on work-style assessments and behavioural loops.

Preparing for the Amazon graduate scheme?

Upload your CV and paste the job description. CareerFast instantly builds your interview readiness score, a company briefing, predicted questions, tailored STAR answers, a mock interview and a downloadable PDF — free to start, no card needed.

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