Program manager interview questions amazon

As soon as a substitute was identified, we canceled the old order and initiated the new one. In the end, they were fully satisfied with the solution.

This is a question that could be applicable to nearly any role, though it may be more common in technical positions. Its focus is on ascertaining your level of agility and ability to make course corrections under pressure when priorities change.

Since the project was rapidly nearing completion, integrating the feature became a challenge. The point in development where it would have been addressed typically had already passed. To address the new requirement, I first took a step back and reexamined all of the existing work. After identifying a course of action, I implemented the changes methodically.

I relied heavily on testing to ensure there were no unexpected ramifications or that issues could be addressed quickly. By using a strategic approach, I was able to limit the negative implications of a last-minute change, expediting the remainder of the process while ensuring the final result met every need. Shrinkage is a major concern for Amazon. If I witnessed a colleague stealing, I would report the activity per Amazon corporate procedures. Being ready for this moment is critical, as it allows you to assert your interest and learn valuable tidbits that can help you decide if the job is right for you.

If you want some more examples, check out our article: questions you can ask during your interview. Ultimately, an Amazon interview can be challenging. Within 2 days of your on-site interview, you will be contacted by an Amazon recruiter and asked about your salary expectations.

Open main menu. Throughout the process, the following steps can be expected: Online application Phone-screen with a recruiter Phone-screen with a hiring manager On-site interviews. If you are chosen, a recruiter will contact you within 2 business days. Overview Following the acceptance of your application, you will begin your interview process with Amazon by speaking with a recruiter over the phone.

What the interviewer will assess Your experience with product management. Your flexibility to fit in the profile. Your role-related knowledge and experience.

Cultural fit. Tips It is always helpful to conduct a quick background check on the company. Learning about Amazon and its 14 values will be useful. When answering questions, use the STAR method. The STAR method is a structured way of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by explaining the specific situation, task, action, and result you are describing.

Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to leave your current job? What is an ideal work environment according to you? What are the most important skills you need to be a program manager?

Tell me your way of dealing with customer complaints. How often do you feel the need to hold meetings to make sure everyone in the team is motivated and working their best? Overview Following the recruiter evaluation, you will be interviewed by a hiring manager and one or two other team members. What the interviewer will assess Your core and technical knowledge.

Your potential to come up with innovative ideas in a short period of time. Previous projects you have worked on. Tips Interviewers prefer it when candidates ask them questions. Be curious and inquisitive. Bring your own questions to the table. It's all about Amazon's leadership principles. The most important thing to do when preparing for an interview is to do extensive research on the concepts and to know when and where to bring them up.

You should be able to include at least two examples to back up why you embody each leadership philosophy. Post a Job. No-hassle virtual interviewing free on Indeed There's no software to download or meeting links for you to manage.

Here's how it works. Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Program Manager Interview Questions. Post a Job Are you a job seeker? How does a program manager differ from a project manager? See answer. A: Program managers must monitor numerous projects at once. Q: How does a program manager differ from a project manager?

A: Program managers are expected to organize and coordinate programs. Q: What metrics do you believe are most important? Q: How important is change management for program managers? A: Change management is a systematic approach to handling shifts in strategy, process or tools. What to look for in an answer: Ability to lead in spite of resistance Understanding of change management and its implementation Importance of company culture when introducing change.

Q: How do you control the scope of projects? A: Scope creep, or additions to a project after it begins, can sneak up quickly and undermine success. What to look for in an answer: Ability to communicate expectations to project managers and stakeholders Ability to analyze requirements of a project and manage its scope successfully Understanding of the importance of company vision, goals and priorities.

TPM interviews tend to primarily focus on the first four principles we have highlighted below, according to the Amazon ex-interviewers on our coaching team. The other ten topics also come up but less frequently. Customer obsession — "Leaders start with the customer and work backwards.

They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. Customer obsession is about empathy.

Interviewers want to see that you understand the consequences that every decision has on customer experience. You need to know who the customer is and their underlying needs, not just the tasks they want done. This is by far the most important leadership principle used at Amazon.

Therefore, it is the most critical one to prepare for. Ownership — "Leaders are owners. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. Bias for action — "Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking. Since Amazon likes to ship quickly, they also prefer to learn from doing while also measuring results vs.

They want to see that you can take calculated risks and move things forward. Have backbone; disagree and commit — "Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion.

Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly. Any group of smart leaders will disagree at some point. Amazon wants to see that you know when to challenge ideas and escalate problems to senior leadership. At the same time, they want to know you can sense the right time to move forward regardless of your disagreement. Invent and simplify — "Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify.

Amazon relies on a culture of innovation. Answering invent and simplify questions is an opportunity to show your ability to create solutions when there is no obvious answer. Dive deep — "Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them. TPMs need to identifiy technical dependencies, anticipate problems and quickly fix them if they arise.

Interviewers want to see that you are excited about trying to prevent projects from derailing and about stepping up when things don't go as expected. Are right, a lot — "Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgement and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.

Amazon expects its Technical Program Managers to produce solutions as quickly as possible and to make a lot of decisions with little information. Deliver results — "Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.

Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle. Amazon values action over perfection. Think big — "Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.

Amazon is huge and its TPMs need to build products that reach significant scale to make a difference for the business. As a result, interviewers will want to see that you can develop and articulate a bold vision.

Hire and develop the best — "Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice. You should also show you enjoy coaching younger colleagues and know how to get the most out of top performers.

This leadership principle is typically discussed in interviews for very senior engineering positions that involve people management or building a team e. Senior Technical Program Manager, etc.

Frugality — "Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense. At every touchpoint, Amazon tries to provide customers with as much value for as little cost as possible. Interviewers will be looking for how you can support this idea while maintaining a constant drive for innovation.

Learn and be curious — "Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them.

Amazon demands constant improvement in every part of their business. Insist on the highest standards — "Leaders have relentlessly high standards — many people may think these standards are unreasonably high.

Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.

Earn trust — "Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best. Strive to be Earth's best employer - "Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment.

They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered?