Amazon Interview Experience | SDE Internship Application Journey

I received an email from Amazon inviting me to apply for a 6-month Software Development Engineer (SDE) Internship scheduled for January to June 2025. The email included a link to submit my application. After applying, I was shortlisted for the first Online Assessment (OA) and proceeded through each subsequent round step-by-step until the final interview. Although I was not selected, the experience was highly educational and provided valuable insights into the process.

Selection Process Overview

Round 1: Online Assessment 1 (OA1)

This round tested basic coding knowledge and problem-solving skills. The key details were:

• Format: Two medium-level coding questions.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• Focus Areas: Efficient problem-solving and code optimization.
  I successfully completed this round, demonstrating proficiency in both problems.

Round 2: Online Assessment 2 (OA2)

This round further delved into algorithms and data structures.

Format: Two coding problems.

Topics Covered:

• Binary Trees
• Graphs (BFS/DFS)
• Dynamic Programming

While I can’t recall the exact questions, I performed well in this round and moved forward.

Round 3: Final Technical Interview

After clearing the online assessments, I was invited to the final technical interview via Amazon Chime. This interview lasted about an hour and consisted of the following segments:

Introduction (5–10 minutes):

• The interviewer asked about my background and areas of interest.
• I highlighted key projects, emphasizing my technical contributions and problem-solving approaches.

Coding Questions (45 minutes):

Search in a 2D Matrix:

• Problem: Search for a target value in a 2D matrix sorted in ascending order both row-wise and column-wise.
• Outcome: Successfully implemented both brute force and optimal approaches.

Minimum Cost to Connect Roads:

• Problem: Solve a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) problem to find the minimum cost of connecting all cities using roads.
• Outcome: I couldn't fully code the solution but demonstrated a clear understanding of the logic and edge cases.

Outcome and Reflections

Unfortunately, I was not selected for the internship. While the result was disappointing, the process provided invaluable lessons, including:

• Time Management: Effectively allocating time to each question during assessments.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Tackling algorithmic challenges and live coding tasks under pressure.
• Communication: Explaining solutions and thought processes clearly during interviews.

The experience has motivated me to refine my skills further and prepare for similar opportunities in the future.

Key Takeaways

1. Strong Foundations in Data Structures and Algorithms: Topics like graphs, trees, and dynamic programming are crucial.
2. Live Coding Practice: Familiarity with solving problems in a timed, interview-style environment is essential.
3. Confidence in Articulating Solutions: Even partial solutions can leave a positive impression if logic and edge cases are well-explained.

Despite not being selected, this journey has been a significant learning milestone, equipping me for future challenges.