Seeking Tips for Amazon Business Analyst Interview (Seattle, WA)
Seeking Tips for Amazon Business Analyst Interview (Seattle, WA)
Hey everyone,
I have an upcoming interview for a Business Analyst position at Amazon in Seattle, WA, and I’m looking for advice on how to prepare. The process includes a phone screen (which is scheduled next) followed by a loop of 4-5 rounds. I’ve started reviewing the basics—SQL, Excel, and Amazon’s Leadership Principles—but I’m hoping to get some insights from people who’ve gone through the process themselves.
Key Areas to Focus On
1. SQL Proficiency
One of the critical components of the interview process will likely involve SQL. Here are some questions I have regarding SQL:
- How many rounds typically involve SQL, and what’s the difficulty level of SQL questions? (easy, medium, hard?)
- How many SQL questions are asked per round, and what topics are commonly covered? (e.g., data manipulation, joins, subqueries)
From what I’ve gathered, SQL questions can range from basic data retrieval to more complex scenarios involving multiple table joins and subqueries. It seems that practicing real-world business scenarios will be valuable.
2. Phone Screen Focus
I’m curious about the structure of the phone screen:
- Does the phone screen focus on SQL, or is it more about business acumen, case studies, and leadership principles?
It appears that the phone screen might be more focused on assessing your problem-solving skills and understanding of business metrics, alongside your knowledge of SQL. Familiarizing yourself with Amazon’s Leadership Principles could give you a leg up, as they are likely to be integrated into behavioral questions.
3. Excel Proficiency
Excel skills are also essential for this role:
- What level of Excel proficiency should I aim for? Are functions like pivot tables, VLOOKUP, or advanced formulas commonly tested?
Excel will likely be used for data analysis and visualization. Therefore, being comfortable with pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and possibly even advanced functions will be advantageous. Practice exercises that require data cleaning and manipulation could be beneficial.
4. Additional Tools and Techniques
Beyond SQL and Excel, I want to ensure I’m covering all bases:
- Besides SQL and Excel, are there other tools or techniques I should be familiar with? (data visualization, statistical methods, etc.)
Familiarity with data visualization tools (like Tableau or Power BI) and basic statistical methods may be helpful. Understanding how to present data insights effectively can set you apart.
General Tips
- Practice Behavioral Questions: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses to behavioral questions, especially those relating to Amazon’s Leadership Principles.
- Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors to build confidence and improve your articulation of answers.
- Research the Company: Understand Amazon’s business model, recent developments, and how the Business Analyst role fits into their broader strategy.
Any other tips or things I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!