EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with GG (Gayle Gallagher), former Senior Manager - Marketing at Amazon, now Founder of the Amaz0n Interview Whizz Academy, an E-Learning Amazon interviewing training platform to help you prepare for the Amazon interview process. GG discusses the complete Amazon application process from beginning to end and provides great tips along the way. The discussion ends with how to do well when you are starting off at Amazon and what she liked most about working for one of the biggest companies in the world. 

QUOTES

“The very best way into an organization, is to know somebody that works there, have worked with them quite extensively in the past, and approach that person, share with them the role, talk to them about why you think you’re a great fit for that role and then have that person refer you to the hiring manager and be able to talk comprehensively and specifically about your skill set of why they think that your skill set is a match for this role based on the deep knowledge and experience of you.” - GG [5:23]

“The [Amazon] leadership principles are everything, if you don’t provide the evidence [in your interview], that you are raising the bar on the leadership principles, you aren’t coming in, it doesn’t matter how technically good you are.” - GG [26:26]

“The really good candidates [in an interview] are able to give me a really good level of detail about what they’ve done and deliver it in a concise fashion.” - GG [32:58]

TIMESTAMPS

[0:46] Meet GG

[4:52] Discussing the effectiveness of applying online vs getting a referral to land an interview at Amazon

[11:33] Resume tips for an Amazon application 

[18:01] Amazon’s stance on cover letters in job applications

[19:06] Getting into detail on Amazon’s online assessment process and if it’s necessary to complete for every role you apply for at Amazon

[21:25] High level breakdown of Amazon’s interview process

[26:06] The importance of the Amazon leadership principles during the interview process 

[31:42] The usefulness of Amazon’s interviewing preparation resources on their company website

[32:39] The difference between a good candidate and a bad candidate when it comes to interviewing for a position at Amazon

[37:53] The average number of candidates that get interviewed for a position at Amazon 

[39:00] Evaluating the importance of asking questions to the interviewer at the end of the interview

[43:12] Additional Amazon interview tips for success 

[45:56] Tips for early success when you get your role at Amazon

[48:03] GG’s favorite things about working at Amazon

[50:40] Contacting GG

[54:42] Outro

RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS

GG on LinkedIn

GG on Youtube

Amaz0n Interview Whizz Academy

Chan With A Plan

Max Chan on LinkedIn