Decode And Smash The Amazon Tell Me About Yourself Question

Summary

In this video, former Amazon Senior Leader Gigi discusses the common yet ineffective 'Tell me about yourself' and 'Walk me through your resume' interview questions. She cites 'Working Backwards' by ex-Amazon leaders Colin Breyer and Bill Carr, who also criticize these questions. Gigi emphasizes that interviewers seek specific examples of problem-solving and alignment with Amazon's leadership principles. She advises job candidates to avoid personal anecdotes and instead focus on their professional journey, skills, and passion, providing three strategies to effectively answer such questions in an Amazon interview context.

Takeaways

• 📚 Gigi, an ex-Amazon senior leader, discusses the common 'Tell me about yourself' and 'Walk me through your resume' interview questions and shares her disapproval of them.
• 🤔 She cites 'Working Backwards' by Colin Breyer and Bill Carr, who were involved in creating Amazon's leadership principles and interview process, and shares their quotes criticizing these types of questions.
• 🔍 The book suggests that interviewers should seek detailed examples of candidates' contributions to solving problems and alignment with Amazon's leadership principles, rather than general open-ended questions.
• 🚫 Gigi emphasizes that during the final interview stage at Amazon, the focus should be on evidence-based decision making, such as leadership principles and technical competencies, rather than personal narratives.
• ❗ In early rounds, however, answers to 'Tell me about yourself' and similar questions can impact the interviewer's perception of the candidate's fit and interest in the job.
• 🈲 She advises against sharing personal details unrelated to job performance, as they are irrelevant for the interviewer's decision-making process.
• 📈 Gigi offers three strategies for answering these questions: a chronological resume walk-through, a project focus approach, and talking about professional passions and skills.
• 📝 The chronological resume strategy involves discussing career progression and the skills gained in each role that led to the current job application.
• 🏆 The project focus strategy highlights impressive and relevant projects from the candidate's career that demonstrate skills and experiences pertinent to the job.
• 🔑 The professional passion strategy involves expressing what the candidate loves about their field and how their strengths and interests align with the job requirements.
• ⏱ She recommends keeping the answer concise, suggesting no more than one or two minutes for the response.
• 📚 Gigi encourages viewers to watch her Amazon Interview Academy's free masterclasses for further preparation on answering customer obsession questions.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed by Gigi in the video?

The main topic discussed by Gigi is the common interview question 'Tell me about yourself' and how to effectively answer it, especially in the context of Amazon's interview process.

Why does Gigi dislike the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

Gigi dislikes the question because she believes it is vague and doesn't necessarily elicit specific, useful information about a candidate's qualifications or fit for the job.

What book does Gigi reference in the video?

Gigi references the book 'Working Backwards' by Colin Breyer and Bill Carr, which discusses Amazon's leadership principles and interview process.

According to the book 'Working Backwards', what is the general opinion about open-ended interview questions?

The book suggests that open-ended questions like 'Tell me about your career' or 'Walk me through your resume' are usually a waste of time and do not produce the specific information needed for an effective interview.

What are the two main types of evidence that Amazon considers during the hiring process, as mentioned in the script?

The two main types of evidence considered are the demonstration of the candidate's alignment with Amazon's leadership principles and their technical competencies.

What role does a 'bar raiser' play in the Amazon interview process?

A 'bar raiser' in the Amazon interview process ensures that only relevant and evidence-based information is considered when making a hiring decision, especially during the final stages of the interview.

Why might the 'Tell me about yourself' question matter in early rounds of the Amazon interview process?

In early rounds, the question might matter because the interviewer is trying to understand if the candidate is genuinely interested in the job and the team, and if they have the potential to fit well within the company.

What is Gigi's advice on what not to include when answering 'Tell me about yourself' in an interview?

Gigi advises against including personal details such as hobbies or family information, as these do not relate to the candidate's professional qualifications or fit for the role.

What are the three strategies Gigi suggests for answering 'Tell me about yourself' effectively?

The three strategies are: 1) Chronological resume, where the candidate discusses their career path in order; 2) Project focus, where the candidate highlights specific projects that demonstrate relevant skills; 3) Professional self-description, where the candidate talks about their professional passions and skills and relates them to the job being interviewed for.

How long should the answer to 'Tell me about yourself' be according to Gigi's advice?

Gigi suggests keeping the answer to no more than one or two minutes to maintain brevity and focus.

What additional resource does Gigi offer for those preparing for an Amazon interview?

Gigi offers a free Amazon Interviewers Academy Customer Obsession Master Class and additional video tips on interview strategy for Amazon interviews.