Amazon Final Interview – What Should I Brush Up On Besides LC
Amazon Final Interview – What Should I Brush Up On Besides LeetCode?
As I approach graduation this month, I received an exciting email from Amazon about my final round of interviews! After diving into various articles and forums, I’ve gathered some insights about what to expect and how to prepare. While I know that LeetCode (LC) style questions will play a significant role, I’m curious about other important topics I should focus on.
Understanding the Interview Structure
According to the email from Amazon, I will be participating in three virtual interviews, each lasting one hour and technical in nature. The key areas mentioned include:
- Design
- Data Structures
- Algorithms
- Basic Coding
This gives me a solid framework to work with, but it raises some questions about specific areas I should prioritize in my preparation beyond just practicing LeetCode problems.
Areas to Brush Up On
1. Low-Level Design (LLD)
While many believe that system design questions are reserved for senior positions, it seems that low-level design (LLD) questions are still crucial for Amazon’s interviews. Practicing problems like designing a parking lot or a pizza store system will be beneficial. These types of questions require you to think critically about the architecture of a system and articulate your design choices clearly.
2. Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)
While practicing on LeetCode, it’s important to focus not just on the basic problems but also on the following areas:
- Graphs: Be prepared to tackle questions involving graph traversal, shortest paths, and connected components.
- Word Search Problems: These often involve backtracking and are a common topic in interviews.
- Heaps: Understanding heap operations and their applications can be crucial, especially for priority queue scenarios.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
There’s also a distinct round focusing on Critical Thinking/Problem Solving. This round differs from the standard DSA round, as it may involve implementing a low-level design related LeetCode-style problem. It’s essential to practice problems that challenge your ability to think on your feet and apply algorithms in unexpected scenarios.
4. Amazon’s Leadership Principles
Understanding Amazon’s Leadership Principles is vital. Each interviewer may expect you to align your experiences with these principles. Prepare 1-2 stories for each principle formatted in the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. This storytelling technique will help you communicate your experiences clearly and effectively.
Final Tips
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Ask Your Recruiter: Make sure to communicate with your recruiter about any specific examples of problems that you should study. They can provide valuable resources and insights into what to expect in each round.
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Practice Mock Interviews: Engaging in mock interviews can help simulate the pressure of the real interview and improve your response times.
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Stay Calm and Confident: Remember, interviews are not just about your technical skills but also how you approach problem-solving and communicate your thought process.
Conclusion
Preparing for Amazon’s final interview can be daunting, but by focusing on low-level design, data structures, algorithms, critical thinking, and Amazon’s Leadership Principles, you’ll be better equipped to succeed. Best of luck to everyone preparing for their interviews, and feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments below!