If you’ve advanced far enough in the Amazon hiring process, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the term Amazon loop interview.
It’s the final, and arguably most important, phase in Amazon’s rigorous evaluation process. But what exactly happens during the loop, and how can you prepare?
The Amazon loop isn’t just another round of interviews. It’s a carefully designed set of back-to-back conversations that determine if you meet Amazon’s high hiring bar. This blog will break down what the Amazon loop interview includes, what Amazon is evaluating, and how to approach it with confidence.
What is the Amazon loop interview?
The Amazon loop interview refers to a structured series of four to six interviews that take place in a single day (or split across two days). It’s the final decision-making stage before a hiring verdict is made.
Each interviewer in the loop is assigned specific competencies or Amazon Leadership Principles to evaluate. You’ll meet with a range of stakeholders, such as engineers, managers, cross-functional peers, and a bar raiser, each playing a unique role in assessing your fit for the company.
The loop is not about memorizing answers or trick questions. It’s about showing how you think, how you solve problems, and how well your values and work habits align with Amazon’s expectations.
What is the purpose of the loop?
Amazon’s hiring philosophy centers around the idea of raising the bar. Each new hire should improve the overall quality of the organization. The loop interview ensures that:
- Feedback is gathered from a diverse group of evaluators
- Candidates are assessed for long-term success, not just technical skill
- Cultural fit is evaluated through the lens of Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles
- No single individual has disproportionate influence—final decisions are based on collective consensus
This thorough and collaborative process is one reason Amazon hires candidates who grow into senior roles quickly.
Structure of the Amazon loop interview
Here’s what a typical loop interview day looks like:
Number of interviews: 4 to 6 rounds
Each round lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Interviews may be conducted virtually (via Amazon Chime or Zoom) or onsite. You’ll typically speak with:
- A hiring manager
- Two or three team members (technical or cross-functional)
- A bar raiser (an experienced Amazonian trained in behavioral evaluation)
Interview focus areas:
Each interviewer is assigned specific areas to evaluate. You’ll encounter a mix of:
- Technical assessments (coding, architecture, system design)
- Behavioral interviews (based on Amazon’s Leadership Principles)
- Role-specific evaluations (project management, product thinking, UX research, etc.)
Timing and flow:
- Interviews are back-to-back, with short breaks
- Your recruiter coordinates the schedule and may check in mid-day
- All feedback is submitted independently before the hiring debrief
What does the bar raiser do in the Amazon loop interview?
One of the most unique elements of the loop is the presence of a bar raiser. This Amazon employee:
- Is not on the hiring team
- Has veto power in the decision-making process
- Is trained to assess leadership principles objectively
Bar raisers ensure that hiring standards are consistent across Amazon. They’ll often ask deeper follow-ups and test your responses from different angles.
Don’t be intimidated—they’re there to advocate for great candidates. But be prepared to justify your decisions and articulate your reasoning clearly.
What types of questions are asked in the loop?
The content of the loop varies depending on the role. Here’s what you can expect:
For software engineers:
- Medium to hard-level coding problems (data structures, algorithms)
- System design challenges (scalability, fault tolerance, API design)
- Behavioral questions linked to ownership, inventiveness, and collaboration
For product managers:
- Product case studies (e.g., improve Amazon Prime sign-up flow)
- Prioritization and trade-off scenarios
- Cross-functional alignment and metrics-driven decision-making
For TPMs and program managers:
- Scenario-based problem solving (e.g., delivery timelines under changing scope)
- Stakeholder management and technical fluency
- Planning, dependency mapping, and risk management
For UX designers, researchers, and creatives:
- Portfolio walkthroughs and critique sessions
- Problem-framing and user empathy exercises
- Design systems and cross-functional collaboration questions
If you’re interviewing for a company like Adobe as well, many of these formats will feel familiar. However, Adobe interview questions often place a stronger emphasis on creativity, customer journey thinking, and collaboration across visually-driven teams.
How to prepare for the Amazon loop interview
- Study the leadership principles deeply
Start by reading and internalizing all 16 Amazon Leadership Principles. Don’t just memorize the names, but understand what each one actually looks like in real-life behavior.
Ask yourself: Have I demonstrated “Bias for Action”? When have I “Disagreed and Committed”? What does “Think Big” mean in the context of product development or engineering?
Create a spreadsheet or document where each row represents a principle, and fill it in with personal stories or professional experiences that align. These will form the basis of your behavioral answers.
2. Craft and refine your STAR stories
Amazon places enormous weight on structured storytelling. For every relevant experience, build a STAR-based narrative:
- Situation: What was the context?
- Task: What challenge were you facing?
- Action: What exactly did you do?
- Result: What changed, improved, or succeeded?
Practice articulating each story with clarity and energy. Keep your responses focused, avoid vague details, and always lead with impact. Loop interviewers will probe, so you should be ready to go a level deeper with data or decision rationale.
Aim to prepare at least 15–20 stories that you can flex across different principles or roles. Reuse is fine—just be able to frame your examples through different lenses depending on the question.
3. Sharpen your technical and functional knowledge
For technical roles:
- Revisit coding platforms like LeetCode, CodeSignal, or HackerRank, especially medium-to-hard problems.
- Study system design principles using resources like “Grokking the System Design Interview.“
- Practice whiteboarding or explaining designs aloud.
For PM/TPM/UX roles:
- Rehearse product and case-style thinking aloud.
- Know your metrics: success criteria, KPIs, trade-offs.
- Walk through portfolio pieces or past deliverables with structure.
Don’t just review theory—practice under time pressure and simulate real interview pacing.
4. Build mental endurance for the full loop
The Amazon loop can run for 4 to 6 hours, with little downtime. This can be mentally and emotionally draining. Build stamina through:
- Back-to-back mock interviews
- Practicing with small breaks to simulate pacing
- Preparing light notes or bullet-point reminders between rounds
Also, hydrate and eat a healthy meal before your interview, especially if it’s virtual. Mental clarity matters.
5. Prepare intelligent questions for each interviewer
You’ll often be given time at the end of each session to ask questions. Use this time to:
- Show curiosity about team challenges or upcoming initiatives
- Ask about how the interviewer applies certain leadership principles in their role
- Inquire about product, technical, or cross-functional strategy
Avoid generic or overly personal questions. Instead, use this moment to demonstrate that you’re not just interview-ready—you’re team-ready.
6. Understand Amazon’s culture and decision-making model
Finally, the loop interview is not just about individual performance—it’s about whether you elevate the overall bar.
Learn how Amazon makes decisions:
- Data > opinion
- Mechanisms over ad hoc fixes
- Long-term thinking even under pressure
The more your mindset aligns with Amazon’s operating principles, the easier it will be to resonate with loop interviewers.
What happens after the loop interview?
After the loop, each interviewer submits written feedback independently. The hiring manager and bar raiser then review the combined feedback in a debrief session with the recruiter.
Possible outcomes:
- Offer extended: You passed the bar and received strong recommendations
- On hold or referred: You may be a fit for a different team
- No offer: You didn’t meet the bar this time, but Amazon may invite you to reapply later
Most candidates hear back within 5 to 10 business days, though timelines can vary depending on scheduling and internal alignment.
Final thoughts
The Amazon loop interview is not just a test of skill—it’s a measure of mindset, adaptability, and leadership potential. By the time you reach this stage, Amazon already sees promise in you. Now it’s your job to show how you think, build, lead, and grow.
Prepare intentionally. Practice with structure. And walk into the loop ready to be challenged, not intimidated.
