Lessons Learned After 3 Years, and Running, at AWS
I've worked at AWS for 3 years now and don't intend to leave anytime soon. Here are a few things I've learned along the way that relate to working at AWS but also Amazon as a whole: Your manager will have a monumental impact (good or bad) on your career. The company from the top down encourages everyone to find the right role for them and the team they join. There are always fun, inspirational, and informative events that often bring the who's who in arts, politics, academia, and business. These are open to all salaried employees and almost always free! There are endless career paths functionally, contextually (business segments, industries, etc.), and geographically that you can take from within the company once you join. Data, logic, and merit almost always trump subjectivity and egos. You just have to write well and ideally have confidence in public speaking. You have access to countless beta tests so if you want, you can know the news before it breaks and really look into the future. Almost everyone in leadership positions espouses an open door policy and we have a great channel for mentoring with a lot of participation from those at the highest levels. I'd encourage anyone, internal or external to Amazon, apply for a role at AWS but heavily caution the importance of interviewing the hiring manager and teammates in a transparent and challenging way so that you get a full sense of who they are and if you'd be happy joining them.
What kind of questions would you recommend asking the hiring manager/team?
Yeah I would like to know this too. Team synergy is more important than company.
I'd ask: -How long the hiring manager has been in the role or part of the greater team. -How long team members on the team you join have been around. -How does the manager encourage and facilitate 360 degree feedback. -If the manager would be willing to share feedback that they recently received from direct reports, those above, and those parallel. -How many promotions the manager has had approved over the past year or two. -How would the manager change the greater organization and what new scope they would take on if they had the power to make the decision. This helps show long term vision. -What it takes to get promoted and really try to weed out the signal from the noise, if there is one. -Ask the team how well they sleep ;) and if stress and workloads are cyclical or constant. -Ask the team about a time that they put their neck out for what they thought was right and ask how receptive those above were to the argument. -Ask about whether or not calculated risks are taken similar to above point and ask about cases of success and failure and what impact each case had on the team and future risk taking.
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I guess you missed this poll Check out this post! "Worst Company To Work For? (Tech Careers)" https://us.teamblind.com/s/EGmtzGgz
Amazon is far larger than other companies in that poll so I'd expect tally to be higher for Amazon. I also wonder how many respondents actually have data or experience to weigh in on which of all the companies is the worst. For instance, I've only worked at Amazon of the list of companies so I can't provide any meaningful input given its supposed to be a comparison.
Said Amazon recruiter 🤣
I assure you I'm not. Just wanted to share insights in hopes that they're helpful for others in or outside of the company.
I see you haven’t been bitten yet lol.
Just wait for the re-Org lol
I am really passionate working as UX Designer at aws , There is an opening which matches with my expertise. Can someone help me to get me through for a screening call?
Just apply online. Get your 1 page resume crisp and tailor it to each application you submit. You'll get through and once you do, have some key achievements you can speak to in depth and can recall easily. I think writing down a few pages of notes ahead of each interview really helps in this regard. As you get better and better at your pitch, you won't need the notes! So you're just front loading your effort now for tons of returns in future interviews.
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Cool thanks for the insight. My impression is I would work for AWS but not Amazon. Culture seems vastly different.
I haven't worked outside of AWS but all of my friends, mentors, and colleagues do confirm the difference in culture. But from what I've gathered, AWS, Advertising, IMDb, Twitch, and other acquired companies or standalone business units that are growing and profitable do have their own unique culture for the better. I've heard that Retail is a grind and sets the far end of the spectrum for workload and stress.