A Guide to Navigating the Amazon Product Manager Technical (PMT) MBA Internship Interview

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

Preparing for Amazon’s PMT internship interviews can initially be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, given its unique interview process — at least that’s what I felt back in November 2022.

Having navigated this path of preparation myself, and being approached by prospects currently in the application/interview process, I aim to provide valuable tips and share my personal journey of securing an AWS PMT internship in 2023 through this article.

Please note that the views expressed here are based on my own experience and do not necessarily reflect Amazon’s official stance or a one-size-fits-all approach. Use your discretion when considering this advice ;)

1. Quick FAQs Before You Begin Your Application:

Q1. Should I Apply Early or Wait Until I’m Fully Prepared?

Most major tech companies conduct rolling-based interviews, prioritizing qualified candidates over finding a single “best” candidate. My advice is to submit your resume as soon as you feel adequately prepared. You’ll never feel completely ready or that your resume is flawless, but the marginal difference in preparation may not be significant. Start early and submit your resume once you are ready!

Q2. Does a Cover Letter Matter for Amazon?

It does not matter in my experience. I didn’t even recall if there was a place to upload one.

Q3 Does Referral Matter?

Not really matter for the intern role. While having a referral can be beneficial, if obtaining one involves a lengthy wait of more than a week, consider submitting your resume without it.

Q4. Can I Choose the Specific Function to Interview For?

Amazon follows a general MBA application process, which means you cannot select a specific function to interview for (at least for my year). However, in some cases, such as PMT, there are specific roles like PMT-ES for AWS and various robotic PMT interview roles you can apply for. If Amazon invites you, These roles guarantee an interview for your desired function.

Q5. What is the difference between a Product Manager (PM) and a Product Manager Technical (PMT)?

Both PM and PMT are responsible for various facets of a product and should advocate for the customers. However, PMTs typically possess an extra layer of technical expertise. This is because they collaborate closely with software engineers on the technical design of products or features. PMs, conversely, may not interact as directly with engineering teams, focusing instead on the broader product strategy and market fit.

Q6. Is a computer science or engineering background essential for a Product Manager Technical (PMT)?

It’s not a strict requirement. While many PMTs at AWS do have CS or engineering degrees, I’ve successfully held the role without one. PMTs must be technically adept, able to understand and discuss complex designs and translate the technical language for a broader audience. Although an engineering background can provide a considerable head start, it’s not the sole pathway to success. Non-engineers can fill this gap by self-study — I personally took online courses in computer science basics and familiarized myself with SQL and Python to enhance my technical proficiency. Much of the specific technical knowledge, especially related to cloud or team operations, is often acquired on the job too.

2. Timeline

The timeline for MBA interviews changes each year and depends on the role. I applied for a specific PMT-ES role at AWS, which had a later schedule than typical MBA general applications.

Process & Time:

• Applied online — late November
• Online Assessment — late November
• Interviews — early January
• Inclined decision (soft offer) — late January
• Official offer — late March

3. Online Assessment:

The Amazon Online Assessment blends work sample simulations with a cultural fit evaluation. Expect to allocate roughly two hours for completion. Though it’s not overwhelmingly challenging, preparation is key — many candidates do not advance past this phase. Here are two pieces of advice:

1. Familiarize yourself with Amazon Leadership Principles (LPs) and align your answers accordingly. I personally think Amazon YouTube Video is a good learning material for LPs, on top of the website content.
2. Reflect on the role you’re seeking and consider the behaviors you would exhibit in the actual position. Aim to tailor and structure your answers in the simulated exercises to highlight these behaviors.

4. Interviews

The interview for an MBA internship typically includes one round of two back-to-back 45-minute sessions, focusing on behavioral questions with occasional product and technical ones. Below, I’ll briefly discuss the three question types I encountered and my preparation tactics.

A) Behavior Questions — Amazon Leadership Principles (LPs)

Amazon’s interview process primarily revolves around behavioral questions based on its 16 Leadership Principles. Here are some tips for preparing your responses:

1. Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when structuring your answers. I personally will add one more 5-second summary sentence, in the beginning, to make the audience follow my story more easily.
2. Document your experiences — create a personal story bank to draw from during interviews for different behavioral questions.
3. Mot all Leadership Principles (LPs) are created equal. Take, for instance, Customer Obsession, Bias for Action, and Dive Deep — these might hold more weight compared to something like Hire and Develop the Best, especially for a Product Manager role.
4. Ensure that you have a thorough grasp of your narrative and are prepared to delve into specifics if prompted by the interviewer. Interviewers often probe deeper into your account to verify its authenticity and assess the logic behind your thinking
5. Reflect deeply! Amazon places high regard on authentic and introspective stories, anticipating that candidates possess a strong capacity for self-reflection. Ready yourself for potential follow-up questions like, ‘If given the chance, what would you do differently?’

B) Product Questions

With Amazon’s emphasis on behavioral questions, it’s unlikely you’ll face a lengthy 30–40-minute product design case. However, you should be prepared for product-related queries that might be woven into behavioral questions based on your past work, or short situational prompts involving real Amazon offerings like Prime or Alexa. Before your interview, make sure to brush up on a few key product concepts:

• Product Requirement Gathering: Learn how to extract user pain points and translate them into actionable technical features.
• Product/Feature Prioritization: Understand the art of making trade-offs, a crucial skill for any adept Product Manager.
• Setting KPIs: Familiarize yourself with the right metrics to track and measure the success of your product or feature

C) Technical Questions

Firstly, it’s important to clarify that for PMTs, especially at the MBA level, there is no coding involved in the technical interview questions. The technical acumen required is not about coding prowess; it’s about understanding complex technical designs, making informed decisions, and grasping the practicality and trade-offs of your choices. Additionally, the ability to bridge the gap between technical and business teams is crucial — can you effectively champion your ideas and translate technical jargon into clear, concise language?

The depth of technical questioning often correlates with a candidate’s previous experience. For instance, someone with a software engineering background might be expected to provide more in-depth answers to system design questions than a candidate from a non-technical field.

For those without a technical background, here are some key areas to brush up on before the interview:

• Basic Computer Science Principles: Know how the internet functions.
• APIs: Understand their significance at Amazon and familiarize yourself with how they create standardization.
• High-Level System Design: Gain an overarching understanding of system design principles.
• Communication Skills: Hone your ability to simplify complex technical details into straightforward language.
• Technical Trade-offs: Learn to identify and evaluate trade-offs in technology design.

5. Final Thoughts and Advice:

Amazon’s interview process is distinctive; it’s crucial to immerse yourself in the company’s culture and leadership principles to comprehend what they seek in candidates. Here are a few final tips for you:

• Align your personal stories with Amazon’s leadership principles and be ready to delve into specifics.
• Practice is vital. Mock interviews with someone who has Amazon experience can be invaluable.
• Stay calm and methodical in your preparation approach.

This guide is drawn from my personal journey. Thorough preparation and being genuine are the cornerstones of success. Wishing you the best as you embark on this thrilling venture!