Is It Hard To Get a Job At Amazon In 2023?

As an experienced Amazon seller for over 5 years, this is a question I get asked a lot. Many people are curious if it‘s difficult to get hired at Amazon given the company‘s sheer size and rapid growth.

The short answer? No, it is generally not hard to get an Amazon job in 2023, especially for hourly roles. With hundreds of thousands of openings in fulfillment centers and operations, Amazon is constantly hiring. If you meet the basic requirements and apply, you have a solid chance.

However, it does take preparation and effort to stand out and pass the hiring process. In this detailed guide, I‘ll share insider tips to maximize your chances, along with key stats on Amazon‘s job market and step-by-step help on applying.

Let‘s dive in!

Just How Many Jobs Does Amazon Have?

To start, it helps to understand the massive scale of Amazon‘s current job openings.

As of January 2023, Amazon employs over 1.5 million people worldwide. To put that into perspective, only Walmart and the US Department of Defense employ more people nationally.

In the US alone, Amazon has around 1 million employees and counting. Here‘s a breakdown of where those jobs are:

• 641,000+ jobs in Fulfillment & Operations at Amazon‘s warehouses, delivery stations and transportation network
• 18,000+ jobs in Amazon Web Services, devices, advertising and other technology roles
• 10,000+ openings in HR, finance, procurement and other corporate functions
• 5,700+ customer service roles supporting Amazon‘s various retail, video, music and web services customers
• 2,000+ research scientist roles focused on ecommerce, cloud computing and machine learning

And Amazon plans to hire another 150,000 employees in the US in early 2023 alone.

So in short: Amazon has a ton of jobs.

Let‘s look at a few key job areas:

Fulfillment & Warehouse Jobs

This is where the bulk of Amazon‘s hiring happens, with new fulfillment centers launching regularly. A few stats:

• 300+ fulfillment centers globally
• 110 fulfillment centers in North America
• Plans to open 42 new fulfillment centers in 2023

That‘s a lot of warehouses that need to be staffed. Common roles include:

• Warehouse associates
• Delivery drivers
• Fulfillment center managers
• Inventory specialists
• Process assistants
• Yard marshals

No experience is required for most hourly fulfillment roles. This makes warehouse positions some of the most accessible jobs at Amazon.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

As Amazon‘s cloud computing arm continues its rapid growth, so does its workforce. AWS job areas include:

• Software development
• Product management
• Cloud support associates
• Solutions architects
• Database engineers
• Business development
• Technical account managers

AWS plans to add 20,000 roles globally in 2023. While AWS jobs require more specialized skills and education, they offer great opportunities.

Amazon Retail & Physical Stores

With its growing physical footprint, Amazon needs staff for:

• 530+ Whole Foods locations
• 32 Amazon Go cashier-less convenience stores
• 28 Amazon Fresh grocery stores
• 28 Amazon Books stores
• 7 Amazon 4-star general merchandise stores

Retail store jobs like cashiers, stockers and supervisors provide another hiring avenue.

The bottom line: With new facilities launching constantly across retail, operations, tech and corporate, plus 150,000 additional hires planned, Amazon has a ridiculous number of jobs.

Hiring volume this massive makes it very possible to get a job offer if you meet the core requirements and take the right approach…which leads me to:

What Are Amazon‘s Core Hiring Requirements?

While specific job requirements vary, Amazon has a straightforward baseline for most positions:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• High school diploma or GED
• Eligible to work in the country of the job location
• Pass pre-employment background checks and drug screening

As long as you meet those core standards, you can qualify for many Amazon jobs.

Below the baseline, expectations scale up with the job level:

Hourly Fulfillment Roles

For warehouse workers and drivers, requirements are minimal:

• 18+ years old
• High school diploma/GED
• Able to pass a background check
• Physically able to lift up to 49 lbs regularly

That‘s it. No resume or prior experience needed. This makes entry-level fulfillment jobs very attainable.

Customer Service Roles

If you want to work in customer service assisting Amazon‘s retail, digital or AWS clients, common requirements are:

• 18+ years old
• High school diploma/GED
• 1+ years of customer service experience
• Computer and internet proficiency

Some CS knowledge is preferred, though often not required.

Professional Corporate & Tech Roles

Higher-level corporate and technical roles ask for more like:

• Bachelor‘s degree or higher in a relevant field
• 2-5+ years experience in a similar role
• Specific skills and expertise per the position

But junior-level professional openings are also abundant if you‘re just starting out.

The barrier to get in the door at Amazon is quite low for hourly roles, and still feasible for professional roles with the right experience.

This data should help set your expectations for different positions. But to maximize your specific chances, dig into the job description and ensure you meet the qualifications detailed.

Now let‘s get into how to actually apply and pass the hiring process…

How to Apply for Amazon Jobs – Step by Step

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to apply for jobs at Amazon:

1. Find Open Positions on Amazon Jobs

Head to Amazon Jobs and browse available roles in your area.

Use the search bar to find positions by keywords like "warehouse", "delivery", "customer service", etc. Or scroll through categories:

• Operations & Logistics
• Stores & Retail
• Corporate
• Tech
• Hardware

Tip: On each job listing, pay close attention to the:

• Basic qualifications: Required experience/education
• Preferred qualifications: Extra desired but not required skills
• Job duties: Day-to-day responsibilities to determine if it suits you

Make sure to apply only to roles that closely match your background and interests.

2. Click "Apply Now"

Once you‘ve identified relevant jobs to target, click the orange "Apply now" button on the right.

3. Sign In and Complete the Application

You‘ll sign in with your Amazon account or create an account if you don‘t have one.

Then complete the online application form for the role. Have your employment history and education ready to input.

For hourly roles, you usually don‘t need to submit a resume or cover letter. But having them on hand is useful for some positions.

4. Take Any Required Assessments

Certain roles require online skills assessments as part of the application.

For example, customer service positions may test your verbal reasoning, spelling/grammar and math. Technical roles assess coding proficiency.

Check the job description so you can practice beforehand if assessments are required.

5. Wait for Recruiter Contact

Once you submit your application, watch your email closely. An Amazon recruiter will reach out if they‘re interested in you.

This usually takes anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks. Don‘t hesitate to follow up if it‘s been over 2 weeks.

6. Schedule Your Interview(s)

The next step is interviewing with the recruiter by phone, then later with your potential hiring manager and team.

We‘ll cover how to ace Amazon interviews next.

7. Complete Background Check and Drug Test

If you receive a job offer, it will initially be contingent on passing a background check and drug screening.

Criminal offenses from the past 7 years will appear on the background check. Only drug test for roles with safety requirements.

8. Get Your Final Offer!

Once you successfully pass the checks, you‘ll receive an official non-contingent offer letter. Congrats, you‘re hired!

This step-by-step guide summarizes the standard process. But I suggest also checking out Amazon‘s Virtual Job Tryout videos on their site for an inside look.

Now let‘s get into the most important part – actually getting the job offer…

How to Get Hired at Amazon: 6 Pro Tips

Amazon interviews are behavioral, meaning they focus on your past actions and experiences.

Here are my top 6 tips for passing the interviews and assessments:

1. Align Yourself to the Amazon Leadership Principles

Amazon‘s Leadership Principles are 14 core values/behaviors the company looks for. Identify the principles most relevant to the role and develop interview stories demonstrating them.

For example, for a customer service job highlight stories showing you:

• Earn Trust – Gained a customer‘s trust to resolve an issue
• Customer Obsession – Went above and beyond to satisfy an unhappy customer

Check out my complete guide to mastering the Amazon Leadership Principles for more.

2. Use the STAR Method to Structure Responses

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Use this format to structure your interview answers:

S – Situation: Set the scene
T – Task: Describe your objective or challenge
A – Action: Explain the steps you took
R – Result: Share the outcome or impact

STAR stories help you share compelling, easy-to-follow examples.

3. Prepare for Amazon‘s Behavioral Interview Questions

Expect in-depth behavioral questions probing your competencies and past experiences.

Some common examples:

• Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work. How did you handle it?
• When have you had to persevere through a challenge to achieve a goal?
• Describe a situation where you had to make a data-driven decision. What was the outcome?
• How have you built trust with teammates or customers in the past?

Look up more examples online so you can prep answers.

4. Research the Role-Specific Skills & Requirements

Beyond behaviorals, expect technical questions if you‘re applying for software engineering, data science, solutions architect or other specialized roles.

Study up on the specific skills mentioned in the job description – coding languages, AWS services, SQL, etc.

5. Ask Good Questions That Show Interest

When they ask if you have any questions, avoid just saying no.

Ask smart, thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest, like:

• How are teams empowered to innovate and make improvements here?
• What achievement are you most proud of here?
• What are the most important goals for this role in the next year?

6. Express Passion for the Company & Role

Convey genuine excitement for the chance to work at Amazon. Share specific reasons why you‘re interested in this job and would thrive.

Passion for Amazon is key – especially for corporate and tech roles.

Follow these tips, and you‘ll prove to Amazon why you‘re a strong hire.

One last suggestion – check Glassdoor to see real interview questions others were asked for the exact role and location you‘re applying to. That inside info can help you ace it.

Does Amazon Hire Felons or Ex-Convicts?

If you have a criminal record, you may be wondering if it disqualifies you from Amazon jobs.

The short answer is no – Amazon does hire felons and considers them case-by-case. However, your charges must be at least 7 years old to pass the background check.

Recent convictions within the last 7 years would likely prevent hiring for safety reasons. But past felonies older than 7 years are not an automatic disqualifier if you‘re otherwise qualified.

Be prepared to explain the context of your charges if asked. Focus on emphasizing how you‘ve turned your life around and are committed to honest work.

Prove through the interview why you would be an asset, and avoid hiding your past.

Does Amazon Hire People With No Experience?

Again, the short answer is yes. Many roles at Amazon don‘t require any experience, especially entry-level hourly positions.

As we covered earlier, fulfillment center associates, warehouse workers, drivers and store associates don‘t expect any experience.

As an Amazon seller, I regularly encounter warehouse workers of all ages who started there as their first job. It‘s very common.

Just meet the minimum requirements like being 18+ and having a diploma/GED. Then convey a strong work ethic and willingness to learn during the hiring process.

Even many customer service agent and corporate/tech intern roles don‘t require any experience, just related education.

So if you‘re looking to begin your career, Amazon offers positions to launch it – apply away.

How Long Does the Amazon Hiring Process Take?

The overall hiring process typically takes:

• 1-2 weeks for most hourly fulfillment and store roles
• 2-4 weeks for customer service positions
• 4-6 weeks for specialized tech positions
• 6-8+ weeks for senior corporate roles

However, timing varies case by case. Following up with your recruiter for an update is totally fine if it‘s been more than 2 weeks since your last contact.

The key is patience. With hundreds of thousands of hires per year, Amazon has a lot of candidates to screen.

If you haven‘t heard back after following up, continue applying to other roles. But know you still have a chance.

Hiring volume is so high that the wheels can turn slowly. I‘ve seen some candidates get offers months after initially applying when the right job opened up.

So hang in there, and don‘t get discouraged if it takes a bit longer than expected. Persistence pays off.

In Closing: Is It Difficult to Get Hired at Amazon?

After reflecting on Amazon‘s massive hiring needs, straightforward baseline requirements, and my years of experience selling with them, I can confidently say it is generally not difficult to get hired at Amazon.

Hundreds of thousands of openings, particularly in fulfillment centers and operations, make it very feasible to get hired if you meet the core standards.

However, bringing your A-game to the application and interview and showcasing the right skills will hugely boost your chances of securing a position.

I hope this detailed guide gave you valuable insider perspective and tips to set yourself up for success.

As an experienced Amazon seller, I can tell you Amazon employees tend to enjoy the fast-paced, innovative, results-oriented culture. The company treats workers well and provides great benefits too.

I wish you the best of luck landing the Amazon job you want! Let me know if any other questions come up in your job search.