My Candid Review of My Amazon Work Experience

Reflections and realizations after leaving Amazon

As I sit down to pen this article, I find myself on a reflective journey through my time at Amazon and the lessons I’ve carried forward since leaving the tech giant.

Having spent about two years working within the behemoth’s technical ranks, I emerged with a trove of experiences and insights that have reshaped my perspective on corporate life.

In the pages that follow, I will take you on a journey through my experiences within Amazon, sharing both the highs and the surprising lows.

We’ll explore the enduring influence of Amazon’s leadership principles, the challenges of corporate culture, and the realizations that have reshaped my approach to life beyond the tech giant.

This is an insider’s account of the complex world of Amazon, where I’ll offer insights and reflections that I hope will resonate with anyone navigating their own path in the corporate landscape.

Maximize your tech career’s potential by exploring the handpicked articles in our curated list “Tech Career Advice.” I strongly recommend delving into this goldmine of knowledge and expertise. Check out this curated list and consider adding these articles to your own list for future reads.

Let’s cut to the chase and dive right in, shall we?

A Tech Boom Amidst a Pandemic

During my time at Amazon, I found myself in the midst of a significant period in the company’s history.

I joined during the tech boom, a time when the world was grappling with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amazon, like many tech giants, was on an ambitious hiring spree to meet the surging demand for its services.

However, little did I know that my journey at Amazon would be marked not only by remarkable opportunities but also by profound lessons learned along the way.

The Illusion of the “Amazon Stamp”

Amazon’s reputation as an industry leader was a major factor in my decision to join the company.

I thought that having the “Amazon stamp” on my resume would be akin to holding an MBA from a prestigious institution, setting me apart in the competitive job market.

It was a symbol of excellence and innovation, or so I believed. Yet, as I ventured into the world of job hunting while still at Amazon, I encountered a surprising reality.

“Amazon stamp” on my resume turned out to be not as valuable in the job market as I initially thought. I must admit that while it did provide some advantage, it fell short of my earlier expectations.

The Influence of Amazon’s Leadership Principles

One of the most striking realizations I had during my time at Amazon was the extent to which the company’s leadership principles permeated every facet of work life.

Amazon’s leadership principles, often touted as guiding values, were deeply ingrained in the company’s culture.

From day one, I noticed how these principles influenced decision-making, problem-solving, and even casual conversations.

I would hear my colleagues and fellow Amazonians reference these leadership principles at least 3 to 5 times a day during our conversations, even though sometimes I felt it was unnecessary.

Cultural Adaptation Challenges

At Amazon, it was not only acceptable but encouraged to escalate customer-related issues to higher management at the earliest opportunity.

This demonstrated a commitment to customer obsession, one of Amazon’s core principles.

However, as I later discovered, such an approach was not universally appreciated in other organizations.

Adapting to the cultural norms of a new employer proved to be a challenge, as the values that had become second nature clashed with different corporate philosophies.

The Game of Promotion

While Amazon’s promotion process is renowned for its structured and rigorous nature, I gained firsthand experience in navigating its complexities.

Advancing in one’s career at Amazon requires more than just competence; it demands a thorough understanding of the intricate game that is the promotion process.

Going from one level to the next is no easy feat; the higher you climb, the steeper the ascent becomes.

I later figured that many people will leave Amazon so they can come back at a higher level since leaving and coming back on a higher level was easier than getting promoted to the next level at Amazon.

Predictable Interviews and Bureaucratic Managers

Amazon’s interview process, which I had the opportunity to engage with on both sides as an interviewee and an interviewer, was surprisingly predictable.

The company’s interview format is well-documented on public forums, and most recruiters are transparent about what candidates can expect.

In fact, about 25% of the technical questions asked of me during my interviews at Amazon were from the list of questions that people had posted on Glassdoor.

This predictability, I realized, could be an advantage for those who meticulously prepared for the interviews.

Bureaucratic Management and Employee Pressure

As I delved deeper into Amazon’s corporate culture, I began to notice similarities with the broader corporate landscape in the United States.

The work environment was not immune to the politics and toxicity that can be found in many large organizations.

I observed instances of office politics, team rivalries, undermining of colleagues, and behind-the-scenes conversations that eroded trust.

Customer Obsession and Employee Challenges

Amazon’s unyielding commitment to customer satisfaction often placed employees in a challenging position.

While achieving multiple 5-star customer reviews and garnering praise from colleagues and managers were celebrated, a single 1-star review from a customer could lead to being placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP).

In another article, I discuss strategies for Amazon employees to avoid being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

The pressure to maintain an unblemished customer record was palpable.

Tooling Changes and Adaptation

In many ways, Amazon’s managers wielded the company’s leadership principles as both a shield and a sword.

These principles, while valuable, could sometimes be wielded in conflicting ways.

For example, striving for customer obsession, a core leadership principle, could result in delivering solutions that did not meet the company’s highest standards, as outlined in the “Insist on the Highest Standards” principle.

This juxtaposition created unique challenges for employees.

Leaving Amazon in a Nutshell

My time at Amazon was marked by both exhilarating highs and unexpected lows. The allure of the “Amazon stamp” on my resume turned out to be somewhat less potent than I had initially believed, serving as a reminder that perception in the job market can be different from one’s expectations.

The prevalence of Amazon’s leadership principles, while influential in fostering a distinctive work culture, could also sometimes feel excessive. These principles, though well-intended, had the potential to create challenges when transitioning to other organizations.

Navigating Amazon’s promotion process was akin to mastering a complex game, where lateral moves or leaving and returning at a higher level sometimes seemed more accessible than vertical progression.

The predictability of Amazon’s interviews, albeit an advantage for well-prepared candidates, highlighted the need for ongoing preparation in the tech industry.

The corporate culture within Amazon, while marked by innovation and customer obsession, wasn’t immune to the politics and challenges found in many large organizations.

Lastly, the relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction sometimes placed undue pressure on employees, who navigated the fine line between achieving excellence and avoiding performance improvement plans.

My journey at Amazon was a profound learning experience, offering valuable insights into both the tech industry and corporate dynamics. It’s my hope that these reflections resonate with those embarking on their own journeys through the corporate landscape.

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About the Author

Usman Aslam stands as a seasoned Principal Solutions Architect, boasting over 16 years of experience within the technology domain. His remarkable journey includes achieving all 12 AWS certifications, a testament to his unwavering commitment and profound expertise. With an extensive background spanning Amazon Web Services (AWS), Capgemini, and Emerson, Usman has refined his skills in crafting resilient cloud solutions. He has been at the forefront of steering application migration and modernization onto the AWS platform. Usman’s leadership is a driving force behind the seamless transition and modernization of systems from on-premises environments to the Cloud. Notably, Usman has earned the trust of both enterprises and startups, owing to his exceptional skill set and adept leadership, rendering him an invaluable asset in their respective journeys to the cloud.

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