How to Get an Internship at Amazon?: A Step-by-Step Process
Are you looking to kickstart your career with a trillion-dollar company? Amazon offers a wide array of internship opportunities for both students and recent graduates. The e-commerce giant provides hands-on experience and mentorship across various domains, such as operations, software engineering, logistics, and more. Securing an internship at Amazon can be highly competitive, requiring a combination of academic excellence, relevant skills, and a well-rounded application. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll delve into the essential steps and strategies on how to get an internship at Amazon.
How to Apply for an Amazon Internship?
Applying for an internship at Amazon requires a streamlined and strategic approach. There are multiple ways through which you can submit your application, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. If you’re eager to learn how to get an internship at Amazon, consider the following pathways to get started:
Option 1: Online Application
One of the most common ways to apply for an Amazon internship is through their online application portal. The company regularly updates its career website with a variety of internship opportunities across different departments and locations. By accessing the online application portal, you can browse through these internship openings and find an internship that aligns with your skills and career goals.
Here’s a step-by-step process to apply for an internship through Amazon’s website:
Step 1: Explore Amazon’s Internship Career Page: Visit Amazon’s internship career page. Take your time to familiarize yourself with the benefits of interning at Amazon and the diverse range of internship opportunities available.
Step 2: Join the Talent Network: Scroll down to the “Join the Talent Network” section on the internship page. Here, you can provide essential information about your interests, goals, and background. By becoming a part of the Talent Network, you’ll stay updated on relevant internship roles and receive valuable application instructions.
Step 3: Browse Available Internship Positions: Take a moment to explore the available internship positions at Amazon by scrolling down. You can simply browse through these job listings to identify a role that captures your interest. Alternatively, you can utilize the search bar or filters on the left side of the page to refine your search. You have the option to filter your search based on country, location, employment type, category, career area, and role type.
Step 4: Review the Job Description: Once you’ve found an internship that matches your interests and skills, simply click on the internship opening to open the details page in a new tab. Then, carefully review the job description, responsibilities, and requirements to ensure that it’s the right fit for you.
Step 5: Apply for the Internship: If you’re interested in the internship position, click on the “Apply Now” button at the top of the job details page. This will redirect you to the Amazon Jobs Login/Registration page.
Step 6: Login or Create an Amazon Jobs Account: If you already have an Amazon Jobs account, log in using your existing credentials. If not, click on “Don’t have an Amazon. jobs account? Create one!” and follow the prompts to create a new account.
Step 7: Confirm Your Email Address: After logging in or creating an account, you’ll be asked to confirm the email address you’ll be using for your Amazon Jobs account. This is the email address where you’ll receive updates on your job applications, so make sure it’s an active email address.
Step 8: Complete the Job Application Form: Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you’ll be directed to the job application form. Here, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Provide your contact information.
- Answer general questions (e.g., if you’ve previously applied to or worked at Amazon).
- Mention your education details.
- Answer additional job-specific questions or provide information relevant to the internship position.
- Upload your resume or provide a link to your LinkedIn profile.
- Complete voluntary self-identification forms related to your gender, race, ethnicity, veteran status, and disability status. These forms are optional and used for diversity and inclusion purposes.
Step 9: Review and Submit Your Application: Before submitting your application, thoroughly check all the details you have given. Once you’re satisfied, click the “Submit” button to officially submit your application for the Amazon internship position.
Step 10: Confirmation and Next Steps: After submitting your application, you’ll receive a confirmation message thanking you for applying. Keep an eye on the email address you provided, as Amazon will use it to communicate any next steps or updates regarding your application status.
Option 2: Get a Referral
Now that you know how to get an internship at Amazon through their website, let’s explore another option. You can leverage a referral from a current Amazon employee can be a powerful way to enhance your chances of securing an internship with the company. Referrals present an opportunity for employees to recommend potential candidates whom they believe would be a great fit.
If you have a contact within the company, it’s worth reaching out to them to understand the referral process. If you don’t have direct connections at Amazon, you can explore second-degree connections on professional platforms like LinkedIn and social networks such as Facebook. Approach these individuals respectfully, expressing your interest in an internship at Amazon and kindly requesting a referral.
Note: A referral alone is not a guarantee of an internship offer.
Option 3: Reach out to the HR Executive Through E-mails
When seeking an internship at Amazon, reaching out to an HR executive or recruiter via email can be a proactive approach. You can find the email address of an Amazon HR executive or recruiter through professional networking sites. Once you have the email address, you can consider sending a direct application email. This approach requires a well-crafted cover letter and a polished resume that highlights your relevant skills, achievements, and passion for the company.
Additionally, your email should express your interest in particular internship roles and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the company’s requirements. Although this approach may not be typical, it can effectively bypass the initial screening process and capture the attention of the hiring team. It can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for securing an internship at Amazon.
Option 4: Campus Recruitment
Amazon visits colleges and universities for campus recruitment drives, allowing students to apply for internships directly. If Amazon is recruiting at your institution, be sure to attend any information sessions or career fairs they host. Also, follow the application process outlined by your college’s placement cell.
Note: Even if Amazon is not visiting your campus, your college’s placement cell may have contacts or connections with Amazon’s recruiters, so it’s worth inquiring about potential opportunities.
How to Get an Internship at Amazon?: Useful Tips to Keep in Mind
Now that you know how to get an internship at Amazon, it’s important to explore some additional strategies to make sure that you secure the internship. These strategies will not only streamline your job hunt but also increase your chances of standing out as a top candidate. Here are some essential tips to help you secure an internship at Amazon.
1. Conduct Thorough Company Research
Before applying for an internship at Amazon, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on the company. Understand Amazon’s mission, values, and culture, as well as the products and services they offer. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the company’s operations, business model, and recent developments. This will help you determine your fit for the internship opportunity and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.
2. Select the Role that Interests You
Amazon offers a wide range of internship opportunities such as software development, business intelligence, data science, and more. It’s important to choose a role that aligns with your interests, skills, and career aspirations. By specializing in a specific area, you can better prepare for the technical and behavioral interviews and demonstrate your passion and expertise during the selection process.
For example, if you’re passionate about software development, consider applying for the software development engineer internship or the front-end engineer internship. If you have an interest in user experience, the UX designer or UX researcher internships might be more suitable for you.
3. Craft an Effective Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume and internship cover letter serve as your introduction to the hiring team. Therefore, you should tailor these documents to the specific internship role you’re applying for. You can do this by highlighting your relevant coursework, projects, and transferable skills.
Remember to use clear and concise language to showcase your accomplishments. Additionally, use keywords from the job description to optimize your application for the applicant tracking systems (ATS).
4. Complete the Required Assessments
Now that you know how to get an internship at Amazon, the next step is to successfully complete the required assessments. These assessments are an integral part of Amazon’s selection process and need to be finished once you submit your application. They are designed to evaluate your skills and suitability for the internship. It’s important to take these assessments seriously as they play a significant role in the internship application process. These assessments include:
- Screening Test: Amazon’s screening test typically consists of multiple-choice questions and coding challenges designed to evaluate your technical and problem-solving skills. Prepare by reviewing computer science fundamentals, practising coding challenges, and brushing up on your knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
- Telephonic Interview: If you successfully pass the screening test, you may be invited to participate in a telephonic interview. This interview typically consists of two parts: a technical interview and an HR interview.
- Technical Interview: This interview will assess your coding skills, knowledge of programming languages, and ability to solve complex problems.
- HR Interview: The HR interview focuses on assessing your behavioural traits, communication skills, and overall fit for Amazon’s culture. Be prepared to discuss your motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and how you align with Amazon’s principles.
5. Prepare for Interviews
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Amazon interview guide and the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method for answering behavioural interview questions.
For technical interviews, practice solving coding problems and be prepared to discuss your projects and technical skills in depth. Additionally, research common interview questions for the specific role you’re applying for and practice your responses. Here are some helpful resources for Amazon interviews:
- Amazon Interview Questions & Answers for SDE
- Amazon Software Developer Interview Questions
- Amazon Coding Interview Questions
- Amazon HR Interview Questions
6. Follow Up
After the interview process, follow up with the hiring team. It’s generally appropriate to wait one to two weeks after submitting the application form. This allows employers sufficient time to review your materials. You can send a thank-you note to your interviewer(s), expressing your appreciation for their time. Also, remind them of your interest in the internship role. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.
Conclusion
This blog shared comprehensive insights on how to get an internship at Amazon. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of landing your dream internship at Amazon. Remember, thorough preparation and a sincere enthusiasm for both the company and the internship role are key to achieving a competitive edge. Also, check out our blog on how to get a job at Amazon to secure a job at this multi-dollar company.
FAQs
Answer: To be eligible for an Amazon internship, you must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in a relevant field, such as electrical engineering, computer science, data science, or computer engineering. Prior technical experience, particularly in at least one programming language, is preferred but not mandatory.
Answer: To prepare for the behavioural interviews at Amazon, review the company’s leadership principles. You should be ready to provide specific examples that demonstrate how you have exhibited these principles during your past work experience. You can structure your responses by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.
Answer: The duration of the Amazon internship application process can vary depending on the specific role and the volume of applications received. However, it typically takes several weeks to a few months from the initial application submission to the final hiring decision. The process involves multiple stages, including resume screening, assessments, and one or more rounds of interviews.
Answer: The coding challenges and technical questions during Amazon’s interviews are designed to assess your problem-solving skills and understanding of data structures and algorithms. These challenges also analyze your ability to write clean, efficient code. You may be asked to solve coding problems related to array manipulation, linked lists, trees, graphs, sorting and searching algorithms, and other fundamental computer science concepts.