Ace the Amazon Economist Interview: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you an aspiring economist looking to land your dream job at Amazon? The e-commerce giant is known for its rigorous interview process, and the economist role is no exception. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the Amazon economist interview questions, provide valuable insights, and equip you with the necessary strategies to stand out from the competition.

Understanding the Role of an Amazon Economist

Before we delve into the interview questions, it’s essential to understand the responsibilities and expectations of an Amazon economist. These highly skilled professionals serve as a think tank, partnering with business leaders, engineers, finance experts, and scientists to address critical business problems across various Amazon organizations, including retail, cloud computing, search, Kindle, streaming video, and operations.

Amazon economists are divided into three different job tracks: forecasting/time series analysis, causal analysis, and empirical industrial organization (IO). During the interview process, you’ll be asked to choose one of these tracks based on your expertise and interests.

The Amazon Economist Interview Process

Like many companies, Amazon has a set of cultural values known as Leadership Principles, which play a crucial role in the interview process. Your ability to demonstrate alignment with these core values through real-life scenarios will significantly impact your chances of success.

The interview process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Recruiter Screen: You’ll begin with a 30-minute informational call with a recruiter. This initial screening aims to evaluate, at a high-level, whether you’re a potential fit for the role.

2. Phone Interviews: If you pass the recruiter screen, you’ll move on to one or two 45-60 minute phone interviews with current Amazon economists. These interviews will delve deeper into your technical skills, experience, and problem-solving abilities.

3. On-site Interviews: Successful candidates from the phone interviews will be invited for a full day of on-site interviews at an Amazon office. This typically involves four to six interviews, each lasting 45-60 minutes, with various Amazon employees, including economists, managers, and bar raisers (Amazon’s term for interviewers who ensure consistent hiring standards).

Throughout the interview process, you can expect a combination of behavioral and technical questions, as well as case studies and coding exercises (depending on the specific role).

Common Amazon Economist Interview Questions

Now, let’s dive into some of the most common Amazon economist interview questions you may encounter:

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time when you had to analyze a complex problem and provide recommendations.
2. Describe a situation where you had to work with a team to achieve a goal. What was your role, and how did you contribute?
3. Can you give an example of a time when you had to persuade others to adopt your idea or solution?
4. How do you handle ambiguity or incomplete information when making decisions?

Technical Questions

1. What statistical methods or models would you use to analyze time series data?
2. How would you approach measuring the impact of a new marketing campaign on sales?
3. Explain the difference between correlation and causation, and how you would determine causality in an observational study.
4. Describe your experience with programming languages and tools commonly used in data analysis (e.g., Python, R, SQL, Stata).

Case Study Questions

1. You’re tasked with analyzing the pricing strategy for a new product launch. What factors would you consider, and how would you approach this analysis?
2. Amazon is considering expanding into a new market. How would you evaluate the potential demand and competitive landscape?
3. You notice a sudden drop in sales for a particular product category. How would you investigate the cause and recommend potential solutions?

Coding Exercises

Depending on the specific role, you may be asked to complete coding exercises or take-home assignments related to data analysis, modeling, or algorithm design. Be prepared to showcase your coding skills and problem-solving abilities in languages like Python, R, or SQL.

Preparation Strategies

To excel in the Amazon economist interview, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly. Here are some effective strategies to help you stand out:

1. Research Amazon’s Leadership Principles: Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles, such as customer obsession, ownership, invent and simplify, and learn to apply them through relevant examples from your experience.

2. Practice Case Studies: Case studies are a common component of Amazon economist interviews. Practice analyzing and presenting solutions to complex business problems, considering various factors like data analysis, market dynamics, and strategic decision-making.

3. Brush Up on Technical Skills: Ensure you’re well-versed in the technical skills relevant to your chosen job track, such as time series analysis, causal inference, industrial organization theory, and programming languages like Python, R, and SQL.

4. Conduct Mock Interviews: Practice your interview skills by participating in mock interviews with friends, colleagues, or professional interview coaches. This will help you become more comfortable with the interview format and receive valuable feedback.

5. Stay Updated on Amazon’s Business: Stay informed about Amazon’s latest products, services, and business strategies. This knowledge will not only demonstrate your interest in the company but also help you provide more relevant and insightful responses during the interview.

Additional Resources

To further enhance your preparation, consider exploring the following resources:

• Amazon Economist Interview Guide by Leon Wei
• Glassdoor Amazon Economist Interview Questions
• Amazon Leadership Principles
• LeetCode and HackerRank for coding practice (if applicable)
• Case Interview Preparation Resources

Remember, the Amazon economist interview process is designed to be challenging, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can increase your chances of success. Stay focused, confident, and demonstrate your passion for economics, problem-solving skills, and alignment with Amazon’s values.

Good luck with your Amazon economist interview journey!