I applied a couple months ago for an AWS engagement manager position. The position description was standard consulting stuff, the only technical part was that you needed to be familiar with AWS offerings. Had a phone interview a while back for it and the interviewer started asking detailed questions about my big data background (I don't have any) and asked for some SQL code. I don't have a background in big data or SQL (and there's no mention of anything like that in my resume), and the job description didn't mention anything about either, so I thought it was weird, especially since I specifically didn't apply for other positions that required SQL/big data experience. I bombed both areas and unsurprisingly got a decline after the phone interview. Is that normal procedure for an AWS interview? This was my first Amazon interview and I'm leaning towards staying away from applying for any more if non-technical positions get asked even vaguely tech-ish questions like that. Just checking to see if that's the norm.
I believe part of the role would involve being able to do basic data analytics stuff to self-help and get biz metrics. So if you don’t know any sql, that would be a deal breaker. I don’t know the role very well, so I may be wrong
Theres tooling for the metrics already built and integrated into SFDC and Tableau (dashboards). Unless you're actually building the back ends of these tools, there shouldnt be any expectation for a EM (project manager) to know specific SQL queries or anything that technical. EMs run the project lifecycle, work with other teams such as the practice manager, field consultants, AEs etc and assist the resource manager (RM) with staffing and utilization
Never known an EM on any proserve engagement to use SQL. Most can barely navigate jira.
A good recruiter would have told you what to prepare for. Sorry bud
The recruiter said to be familiar with AWS offerings and know the LPs. Oh well, I wasn't dead set on this role anyways. Just a learning experience and move on...
No, thats not normal. EMs are essentially project managers in the consulting/professional services side. You should be expected to know high level AWS offerings as you said, technical fundamentals and the project life cycle. Are you sure someone didnt get their wires crossed and interviewed you for a different position? Sometimes it happens unfortunately. Did you confirm with the recruiter or interviewer?
I was also under consideration for a TPM role according to my applications dashboard, but the three emails I got before the phone interview all referenced the EM position. The recruiter just told me to be familiar with AWS service offerings and the LPs. Oh well, I'll just chock this up as an outlier and move on.