The Amazon Writing Exercise: A Guide with Examples & Tips
Sep 05, 2024If you have applied for a new role with American technology company Amazon, you may be required to undertake a writing exercise. This task is usually given to candidates applying for mid-to-senior level roles at level 5 and above. Amazon most commonly hires talent from within the organization.
This screening test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s writing skills. It differs from a traditional job interview, because Amazon employees need to possess exceptional writing abilities and strong communication skills.
The Amazon recruitment team uses writing exercise results to choose the best candidates that add value to the company.
In this article, you will learn more about the Amazon Writing Exercise, as well as get example prompts, tips for success and answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is the Amazon Writing Exercise?
Administered as part of the job application process, the task consists of two written exercise Amazon interview questions. The exercise needs to be completed before candidates attend their on-site interview.
The main role of the writing exercise is to evaluate a candidate's ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
The Amazon Writing Exercise is usually required for candidates applying for roles at levels 5 and 6. The levels correspond to the number of years’ experience a candidate has with Amazon.
A level 5 role can be applied for by an employee with three to 10 years of experience, while a staff member who has been working with Amazon for eight 10 years can apply for a level 6 position.
Level 5 and 6 roles could be marketing managers, product managers, sales representatives, or senior managers.
The writing exercise comes after the job application but before an on-site interview.
Structure of the Amazon Writing Exercise
Candidates are asked to complete the exercise over no more than four pages. However, typical responses tend to be around two pages long. This tends to be enough to provide a detailed answer but is not so long that the reviewer will become bored.
If you receive an Amazon Writing Exercise invitation, you must submit your answers via email one to two days before your interview.
Types of Prompt
When you start the writing exercise, you will be able to choose one of two questions to answer.
The prompts may ask you to do one of the following:
- Describe a challenging situation
- Outline a decision-making process
- Explain a complex concept
Amazon Writing Exercise Evaluation Criteria
Your writing sample will be evaluated by Amazon recruiters and marked against two criteria.
These are:
- Clarity of thought and expression
- Organization and structure
To score well on clarity of thought and expression, you must ensure you explain your point well. Assume that the reader knows nothing about your chosen topic and write clearly and thoroughly.
As well as the content of your Amazon Writing exercise sample, an important aspect is its organization and structure.
Make a plan to ensure that your writing flows logically, contains correct spelling and grammar, and ultimately makes sense.
Amazon Writing Exercise: Example Questions
Example 1: Handling a Challenging Situation
Sample Prompt: “Describe a time when you had to handle a challenging situation with limited resources. How did you manage it?”
Example Response: In my previous role as a project manager at a tech startup, I was tasked with delivering a software update in a tight two-week timeframe due to a critical client deadline. The challenge was exacerbated by a reduced team, as two key developers were on unexpected leave.
To manage the situation, I first prioritized the essential features that needed to be developed, distinguishing them from enhancements that could be deferred. I communicated transparently with the client about the challenges we faced, setting realistic expectations about what could be delivered within the timeframe.
Next, I reassigned responsibilities within the remaining team, ensuring that each member was working to their strengths. I also implemented daily stand-up meetings to track progress and quickly address any roadblocks.
Despite the constraints, we successfully delivered the core update on time, meeting the client’s critical needs. The experience underscored the importance of clear communication, effective prioritization, and adaptable resource management in overcoming challenges with limited resources.
Example 2: Decision-Making Process
Sample Prompt: “Explain a decision you made that wasn’t popular and how you handled it.”
Example Response: As a marketing lead, I once made the decision to cut back on a long-running social media campaign that had been popular among the team. My decision was based on data analysis showing that the campaign was no longer yielding significant ROI and was taking up resources that could be better allocated to emerging channels, like influencer partnerships.
The decision was met with resistance from my team, who were attached to the campaign and concerned about losing engagement with our existing audience. To address these concerns, I held a team meeting where I presented the data and explained my rationale, showing how the shift could lead to more targeted and effective outreach.
I also involved the team in planning the new strategy, encouraging them to bring their creative ideas to the influencer campaign. By involving them in the decision-making process and being transparent about the reasoning behind the decision, I was able to secure their buy-in and refocus our efforts on more impactful marketing activities.
Example 3: Explaining a Complex Concept
Sample Prompt: “Describe a complex project you worked on and explain it to someone unfamiliar with the subject.”
Example Response: I led a project to implement a machine learning algorithm to optimize inventory management for an e-commerce platform. The goal was to predict product demand more accurately and reduce the amount of unsold stock.
For someone unfamiliar with machine learning, I would explain it like this: Imagine you run a store, and you want to stock the right amount of each product so you don't run out or have too much leftover. In the past, you might have relied on your experience or simple trends to decide how much to order. Machine learning, however, uses a lot of data from past sales, seasonal trends, and even customer behavior to make these predictions much more accurately.
We fed this data into the algorithm, which "learns" from it and improves over time. The result is a system that can predict how many items we’ll need to stock more precisely than a human could. Implementing this required collaboration between our data scientists, who designed the algorithm, and the IT team, who integrated it into our inventory system.
The project was complex, but by breaking it down into simpler components and ensuring clear communication among all stakeholders, we were able to significantly reduce excess inventory and improve our order fulfillment efficiency.
Tips for Success in the Amazon Writing Exercise
Understand the Amazon Leadership Principles
The Amazon Leadership Principles are a set of values that describe how Amazon does business, empowers leaders, and keeps the customer at the heart of decisions.
The Principles outline Amazon’s culture and so it is a good idea to write your answers so that they align with these values.
The Amazon Leadership Principles are:
- Customer Obsession
- Ownership
- Invent and Simplify
- Are Right, A Lot
- Learn and Be Curious
- Hire and Develop the Best
- Insist on the Highest Standards
- Think Big
- Bias for Action
- Frugality
- Earn Trust
- Dive Deep
- Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
- Deliver Results
Looking at the 14 Amazon Leadership Principles, you can see how they align with the writing prompts of handling challenging situations, taking responsibility for decisions, and simplifying complex concepts.
Be Clear and Concise
It is important that you keep your essay concise, as you want to aim to keep it shorter than two pages.
Make sure to avoid unnecessary jargon and maintain focus on the main points.
Structure Your Response
To keep the reader’s attention, it is crucial that you structure your answer effectively.
Before you start writing, plan a format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Use Data and Specific Examples
Amazon is passionate about using data to make decisions that benefit its customers.
You can demonstrate your understanding of the importance of data by including factual information and statistics in your Amazon Writing Exercise example.
Proofread Carefully
To be successful in securing a role at Amazon, you need to have impeccable attention to detail.
It is imperative that you proofread your answers to eliminate errors and ensure your writing is professional and polished.
What to Avoid in the Amazon Writing Exercise
By understanding where candidates go wrong in the Amazon Writing Exercise, you can avoid making the same errors.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistakes candidates make in their writing can be easily avoided.
Some of these pitfalls include being too vague and not providing enough detail. It can feel uncomfortable talking about yourself and your achievements, but it is important that Amazon can see your true potential.
Candidates often fail to answer the prompt directly, which will see them ruled out of the recruitment process. Highlight the key parts of the prompt and make sure to keep referring back.
Another big mistake that applicants make is failing to write their answer in alignment with Amazon’s values. This is quite an easy win as you can reference the principles to demonstrate you are a good match for the company.
Overloading With Jargon
One thing that you need to avoid is overloading your answer with overly technical language or industry-specific jargon. This could confuse the reader.
Even worse, it also suggests that you are unable to simplify information – one of the key Amazon Leadership Principles.
Neglecting Structure
The structure of your answer will make a huge difference. A well-written response in the right format will encourage the reader to continue to find out more about you.
If you follow the structure of an introduction, body, and conclusion, your writing will also be clearer and more impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amazon Writing Exercise?
The Amazon Writing Exercise is a task set to candidates applying for certain roles with Amazon.
It assesses whether they have the writing skills and communication abilities required for the role.
Is the Amazon Writing Exercise hard to pass?
It can be hard to write a good Amazon Writing Exercise example, but preparing by reading through this guide will help.
Where can I prepare for the Amazon Writing Exercise?
One of the best ways to prepare is to do a practice Amazon Writing Exercise.
You can also prepare by studying Amazon’s Leadership Principles, using online resources, reviewing example exercises, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors.
How long is the Amazon Writing Exercise usually?
The limit for the exercise is four pages, but you should try and keep it to two.
How many questions are on the Amazon Writing Exercise?
There will be two questions on offer, and you will choose one to answer.
What happens if you fail the Amazon Writing Exercise?
If you fail the exercise, you will not progress to the next recruitment stage.
Where can I get practice examples for the Amazon Writing Exercise?
Practice examples, such as Amazon Writing Exercise innovation samples, are available online, in career prep books, through career coaching services, and on websites dedicated to Amazon writing exercise interview preparation.
What is the purpose of the Amazon Writing Exercise?
To assess candidates’ written communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with Amazon’s Leadership Principles, ensuring they fit the company’s culture and role requirements.
Can you retake the Amazon Writing Exercise?
Yes, candidates can retake the exercise, typically after a waiting period. Policies may vary based on the role and hiring cycle, so check specific guidelines when reapplying.
Can you cheat on the Amazon Writing Exercise?
You should not attempt to cheat on the writing exercise, as the point is that the examples should be personal to you.
What is a good score for the Amazon Writing Exercise?
There’s no publicly disclosed scoring system, but clear, well-structured, and thoughtful responses that align with Amazon’s Leadership Principles are considered strong.
Where can I get a complete guide for the Amazon Writing Exercise?
Complete guides are available on websites dedicated to Amazon writing exercise interview preparation, Amazon’s career page, interview prep books, and professional coaching services specializing in Amazon interviews.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Writing Exercise is an important part of the Amazon hiring process. It ensures that the best candidates are recruited to mid-and-senior roles in the company.
One of the best ways to prepare is to do a practice Amazon Writing Exercise, whether that’s an Amazon Writing Exercise innovation example or one that delves into problem-solving, making decisions or handling challenging situations.
Review your practice answers against the criteria to check that you are describing your experience in the best way.
You should also prioritize reviewing the Amazon Leadership Principles. These provide an insight into the talent that Amazon is looking to recruit. With preparation, you can craft strong, aligned responses that showcase their suitability for your chosen role.
