Landing a job at a tech giant like Amazon is a dream for many, but for Sooraj Kumar, a Pakistani national, it became a reality after he successfully navigated Amazon’s notoriously demanding ‘loop’ interview process. In an interview with Business Insider, Kumar shared his journey and the key strategies that helped him secure an analyst position with the e-commerce leader.
After moving to the US in January 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in business analytics, Kumar began his job search. Despite facing a setback when a job offer was rescinded due to a background check delay, he remained determined. Waking up at 6 am daily, he intensified his job applications, eventually applying for a role at Amazon, a position he had almost forgotten applying for.
The Amazon ‘loop’ interview is an intensive final stage, comprising 4 to 6 back-to-back interviews in a single day. Candidates are evaluated using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to assess their past experiences and alignment with Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles.
Kumar’s day involved five interviews, with only a short lunch break. He spoke with members of the hiring team, potential future colleagues, and an HR representative. His persistence paid off, and a month later, he received a six-figure offer from Amazon.
Kumar emphasized that a deep understanding of Amazon’s core leadership principles, such as “customer obsession” and “invent and simplify,” was crucial. He highlighted the importance of preparing specific examples that directly demonstrate these values. Additionally, he stressed the effectiveness of the STAR method for clearly communicating his achievements and ensuring interviewers could easily recall his responses.