1.

Tell me about yourself

First of all, thank you for the opportunity to have this interview today. My name is Rosen
and I’m a Computer Science student at the University of Oxford. I have always been
someone who is technically minded and over the years, throughout my academic career
and previous internships, I have built a wide array of skills, qualiGes, and experience that
will enable me to excel as a SoluGons Architect at AWS.

I have solid programming skills as well as comprehensive knowledge in Cloud CompuGng,

Cybersecurity, and AI/ML. I am a strong team player and can be relied upon to work
quickly, to a high standard, and also within strict Gmescales.

Outside of work and school, I spend Gme with family and friends. I exercise on a daily
basis to keep myself fit which helps me bring high energy levels and concentraGon to the
workplace. I also spend a decent amount of Gme dedicated to my conGnuous
improvement and development. This is essenGal for ensuring I stay at the top of my
game in the area of Computer Science, especially when things are constantly evolving.

Note: replace name, major, university, role, company, and skills to make the
introducGon relevant to your interview.

2. Why our company?

Amazon
Amazon has led the way for many years now, not just in the quality of products and
services it offers, but how it delivers its products to the customers, and how it always
puts the customer at the forefront of everything it does. I can’t think of many other
companies that start with the customer and then work backwards. This aligns well with
my personality as I love working with customer focus. I want to work for Amazon
because it is one of the greatest companies in the world and I feel I will be able to learn,
grow, and develop whilst working alongside other self-moGvated people. Another reason
I want to work for Amazon is because of your Leadership Principles. If I demonstrate
these in my work, I will reach my full potenGal and will get to achieve amazing things.

Apple
Due to constant changing of customer requirements, it was amazing to see how Apple
ensured that the organizaGon is able to adapt based on the current customer
requirements by revoluGonizing and innovaGng the products. I want to work for Apple
because you are innovaGve, creaGve, and your desire to conGnually design and build
ground-braking products and services is fascinaGng. This means I will have the
opportunity to work alongside a team of bright and talented individuals who all
genuinely want the organizaGon to succeed. I want to work in a place that is constantly
developing, because this means my skills and experGse will be tested on a regular basis.
Meta
I’m excited about Meta because of its commitment to pushing the boundaries of
technology and its vision for the future of connecGvity. I’ve been using Facebook for
years, and I’ve always admired how Meta revoluGonized social media, connecGng people
across the globe in new and impacUul ways. The company’s focus on building immersive
experiences with the Metaverse and its drive to shape the future of communicaGon
resonates with me. I’m passionate about creaGng innovaGve soluGons, and Meta’s
environment fosters collaboraGon and cuVng-edge research, making it an ideal place for
me to contribute and grow.

Microso:
I’m drawn to MicrosoW because of its leadership in cloud technology and commitment to
empowering individuals and organizaGons worldwide. The company’s strong culture of
inclusivity, innovaGon, and conGnuous learning aligns with my values. MicrosoW’s focus
on solving complex problems at scale and its emphasis on using technology for social
good excites me. I’m eager to work at a company that drives technological progress
while maintaining a human-centered approach to innovaGon, making it a perfect
environment for me to make a meaningful impact.

Google
I’m excited about Google because of its reputaGon as a leader in innovaGon and its
relentless pursuit of solving complex, global challenges. The company’s emphasis on
using technology to make informaGon universally accessible and useful aligns with my
passion for impacUul problem-solving.

3. Why this role?

Solu>ons Architect role example

I’m passionate about the SoluGons Architect role because it allows me to combine my
technical experGse with my ability to solve complex problems at scale. I enjoy designing
systems that are both efficient and scalable, while considering the bigger picture of
business needs. The role excites me because it involves collaboraGon, influencing key
decisions, and ensuring technology soluGons align with strategic goals. I’m moGvated by
the opportunity to create high-impact soluGons that drive business success.

So:ware Development Engineer role example

I’m passionate about the SDE role because it allows me to leverage my problem-solving
skills and create soluGons that have a tangible impact. I enjoy the challenge of wriGng
efficient, scalable code and conGnuously improving systems. The opportunity to work on
complex projects, collaborate with talented teams, and innovate truly excites me.

Cybersecurity role example

I’m passionate about cybersecurity because it plays a criGcal role in protecGng
individuals and organizaGons from ever-evolving threats. Cybersecurity professionals are
frontline warriors, defending against a]acks that can have significant consequences. I’m
commi]ed to helping society by safeguarding data and ensuring that people’s privacy
and security are protected in an increasingly digital world. The challenge of staying
ahead of cyber threats and conGnuously improving systems to keep data secure excites
me, and I’m driven to contribute to this important field.

Note: adapt the examples to the role you’re going for

4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Strength:
One of my key strengths is that I’m genuinely passionate about my work in the field of
Computer Science. I enjoy diving into complex problems and conGnuously learning to
improve my skills. This passion drives me to take ownership of my work and deliver
results that make an impact. I’m also someone who values accountability and always
strive to follow through on my commitments.

Weakness:
One area I’m working to improve is my tendency to someGmes avoid asking for help
when I need it. I take pride in solving problems independently and am passionate about
diving deep and doing research, but I also realize that collaboraGon and seeking
guidance can oWen lead to faster, be]er soluGons.

Note: it’s important to avoid menGoning any red flag weaknesses during an interview.
Red flag weaknesses are those that could raise concerns about your ability to perform in
the role or align with the company's values and needs. For example, weaknesses related
to lack of moGvaGon, inability to work in a team, or poor Gme management could be
seen as deal-breakers. Instead, when discussing weaknesses, it’s best to menGon
something that is genuine but not criGcal to the role, and also workable and showing
improvement. Employers value candidates who are self-aware and conGnuously working
to improve themselves.

5. Do you have any quesGons for us?

Note: Choose one or two relevant quesGons to ask the interviewer at the end of the
interview depending on the role you’re going for.

• What advice would you give to the successful candidate in this role?
• Could you tell me more about the learning and mentorship opportuniGes in this
role? (shows that you’re passionate about learning)
• What are some of the key tools and technologies used in your team?
(demonstrates that you’d like to learn more about the team)
• I’m interested in the potenGal for long-term growth here. Do you typically have
full-Gme opportuniGes to interns who perform well? (good to use in an internship
interview as it shows that you have long-term vision about your career)
 6. Have you ever been in a situaGon where you had to handle conflict withing a team
and how did you go about it?

In one of my university modules, I was assigned to work on a group project with a team of
fellow students. Our project required close collaboraGon and equal parGcipaGon from all
team members. However, as we began working together, it became evident that one team
member was not acGvely contribuGng and seemed disengaged from the project.
Recognizing the importance of teamwork and the need for everyone's involvement, I took
the iniGaGve to address the situaGon. Firstly, I approached the team member privately to
understand their perspecGve and any challenges they might be facing. Through acGve
listening and empatheGc communicaGon, I tried to uncover the root cause of their lack of
parGcipaGon.

AWer gaining insights into their situaGon, I took on the role of a proacGve leader within the
team. I organized regular team meeGngs to discuss project progress, distribute tasks, and set
clear expectaGons for each team member's responsibiliGes. To encourage the inacGve team
member's involvement, I assigned them specific tasks aligned with their interests and
strengths, providing them with the necessary support and guidance.

Furthermore, I iniGated open and transparent communicaGon within the team, creaGng an
environment where everyone felt comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. I
encouraged acGve parGcipaGon by creaGng opportuniGes for brainstorming sessions and
seeking input from each team member during decision-making processes.

As a result of these efforts, the previously inacGve team member started to contribute more
acGvely and became more engaged in the project. By conGnuously monitoring the progress
and dynamics within the team, I ensured that everyone's efforts were effecGvely
synchronized, leading to successful project compleGon.

This experience taught me the importance of staying calm when resolving conflicts and
assuming leadership responsibiliGes when faced with challenges within a team seVng. It
also reinforced my belief in the power of effecGve communicaGon and influencing a
collaboraGve environment to overcome obstacles and achieve shared goals.

7. Describe a situaGon where you had to work with incomplete data or informaGon

I was working on an internal project for my latest job experience that required me to work
closely with another member of staff from a different department.

We had been working very well together for the duraGon of the project, and we both had
different skillsets that helped the project move forward. However, towards the end of the
project, I received an email from my colleague’s manager saying that she had been taken ill,
and that I would need to finish the project on my own. The only way for me to complete the
project would have been to use the limited informaGon I had available, which my colleague
has previously passed on to me. I carried out lots of research to find out how to complete
the elements of the project my work colleague was responsible for.
I ended up taking an online course, and also went online to a couple of technical forums to
ask for advice and informaGon for the elements of the project I was struggling with.
I am pleased to say that, aWer some addiGonal work, and also by using the limited
informaGon my colleague has given to me, I was able to put the remaining pieces of the
puzzle in place and complete the project on Gme and to the correct standards, receiving
good feedback from my manager.

8. How would you approach a senior engineer in your team that you want assistance
from?

If I needed help from another engineer on the team, I would first assess the situaGon and
determine what specifically I need assistance with. Then, I would reach out to the engineer
either through chat or in-person and provide them with the necessary context and
informaGon about the problem or task at hand. I would also make sure to express my
appreciaGon for their Gme and experGse. I believe communicaGon and collaboraGon are
crucial in any team environment, and I am always open to both giving and receiving help. I
also believe that a diverse set of perspecGves and ideas can lead to be]er soluGons and
outcomes, and I would welcome the opportunity to work with other engineers on the team
to find the best possible soluGons.

9. Tell me about a Gme you had to make a quick decision that was going to have a
significant impact on the organizaGon

I was managing a project for a very important client with a small group of people from
different departments across the organizaGon. We literally only had 10 days leW before the
project had to be completed, when the client contacted me with an urgent project
specificaGon change request. The changes they were asking for would have a significant
impact on the team’s ability to complete the project on Gme, and it would also eat into our
project budget. I had very li]le Gme to make a decision, and so I decided to agree to the
changes, primarily because two of our core values were flexibility and customer focus. The
client had been with us for a long Gme, and I saw their business as valuable for the future
health of the organizaGon. Although we ended up making very li]le money from that project
due to the unexpected specificaGon change request, the client was very happy with the
results and they went on to spend significant amounts of money with us in the future due to
the strong relaGonship we had built up with them.

10. Tell me about a Gme you found a simple soluGon to a complex problem

During a soWware migraGon project at work, we encountered a major issue with data
compaGbility between the legacy system and the new plaUorm. The system stored data in a
non-standard format, which made direct migraGon impossible without a complete rewrite of
the data processing pipeline. This was causing delays and increasing project complexity.
My task was to find a way to migrate the data efficiently without overcomplicaGng the
process or introducing unnecessary delays. AWer analysing the problem, I proposed a
lightweight adapter script that converted the legacy data format into a format compaGble
with the new system. I noGced that only a small subset of transformaGons was actually
required, so instead of rewriGng the enGre pipeline, I wrote a script in Python, leveraging
exisGng libraries to handle the necessary conversions. AddiGonally, I automated the tesGng
process to ensure data integrity during the migraGon. As a result, the adapter script worked
perfectly, allowing us to complete the migraGon within two weeks: half the Gme originally
esGmated. This approach eliminated the need for a complex rewrite, saving the team around
100 development hours. The migraGon was seamless, with zero data errors, and the project
stayed on track

11. Have you ever had to take calculated risk at work?

I’ve had an experience in the workplace where I had to take a calculated risk. I was working
on an important project over the weekend. Unfortunately, my company laptop developed a
fault which meant I could no longer work on the project. To buy a new laptop, I needed a
permission from my manager was not contactable at the Gme. I had to decide whether to
get a new laptop without my manager’s permission so I could conGnue to work on the
project and meet the deadline.

AWer carefully considering my opGons, and aWer analysing the risk to the company of me not
being able to finish the project by Monday, I decided to go ahead and buy the laptop.
When my manager returned to work, he agreed I had made the right decision. Whenever I
take calculated risks, I always put the needs of the company first, and I will never do
anything that puts the business in danger.

12. Have you ever failed at work? If so, tell me what happen and how you reacted
(Ownership)

I don’t like to fail, but if I do, I always take ownership, put things right, and above all, view it
as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop.

During a challenging and exciGng project at work in my latest internship, I was part of a team
of talented people who were working on the creaGon of a new product for an important
client. The task required us to work together as a team and use our combined experGse to
create the product for the client within very scary Gmescales and specificaGons. The project
should have been a breeze, simply because we had done this type of work together many
Gmes before.

We started out as usual with the project manager giving the team the usual brief. I can
remember thinking the brief was perhaps not clear enough for the specificaGon required by
the client, but I chose not to say anything, which ended up being a huge mistake. Part-way
through the project, it became apparent we had missed a very important specificaGon of the
product, which ended up puVng us two weeks behind schedule.

Although the client was forgiving and allowed us addiGonal Gme to complete the project, we
had failed to deliver on our promises as a team. During the team debrief, I disclosed I had
concerns during the iniGal team briefing, but I chose not to say anything. I apologized for not
doing so. As a team, we learnt a lot from this experience, and moving forward, the same
mistake never happened again.
 13. Tell me about a Gme you helped someone

Last year I had the privilege to volunteer at a charity event iniGaGve and it was an incredible
experience. It was for a UK-based charity organizaGon that supports disadvantaged children
and young people across the country. When I heard about it, I wanted to contribute to this
cause. I reached out to the local community organizaGon that was coordinaGng the
fundraising efforts in my area and asked how I could get involved. This was around Christmas
Gme and they menGoned that they needed volunteers to wrap presents and raise awareness
and funds for the iniGaGve. As part of my contribuGon, I volunteered to wrap presents and
helped organize a giW-wrapping staGon at a local mall to raise addiGonal funds for the cause.
I also organized a presentaGon at my university to raise awareness about the iniGaGve and
its mission to support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. My Course
Office help me set up this presentaGon. It had more than 50 parGcipants and was designed
to educate students on the importance of this iniGaGve and to encourage them to get
involved. As a result, I encouraged students to also parGcipate in volunteering acGviGes.
Overall, this experience taught me the value of teamwork, collaboraGon, and community
involvement. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to this important cause.

14. Tell me about a Gme where you had to take feedback and/or change the iniGal plan
of acGon

As part of my latest work experience, during the design phase of a client project, I proposed
a soluGon architecture that involved using a specific AWS service to meet the client's
requirements. However, during the review process, a senior architect provided construcGve
criGcism on the design, suggesGng that we consider a different approach that uGlized a
combinaGon of mulGple AWS services to achieve the same funcGonality in a more efficient
and cost-effecGve way. I took a step back, reviewed the suggested approach, and discussed it
further with the senior architect to fully understand their reasoning. Through this discussion,
I learned that the suggested approach would not only address the client's requirements but
also improve performance and reduce costs.

I appreciated the feedback and made the necessary adjustments to the soluGon architecture
based on the senior architect's suggesGons. The end result was a more efficient and cost-
effecGve soluGon that met the client's requirements and exceeded their expectaGons. I
learned the importance of being open to feedback and collaboraGon, even if it means
making changes to my iniGal proposals.

15. Tell me about a Gme you went above and beyond for a customer

One of the most significant projects I worked on during at my last job involved assisGng a
large healthcare organizaGon in migraGng their criGcal legacy monolith to microservices on
MicrosoW Azure while ensuring security and scalability. In this project, I had the opportunity
to collaborate closely with the client's development team, which comprised individuals from
diverse backgrounds and experGse.

Understanding the importance of effecGve collaboraGon, I made it a priority to establish

strong working relaGonships with the client's development team. I acGvely listened to their
perspecGves and insights, seeking to understand their unique needs, technical preferences,
and any constraints they might face during the migraGon process. By engaging in open and
transparent communicaGon, I fostered an environment of trust and mutual respect, which
proved invaluable in driving the project forward.

Recognizing that each team member had different levels of familiarity with Azure and
microservices architecture, I tailored my approach to meet their individual needs. For those
who were less experienced, I offered guidance and support, paGently explaining concepts
and providing resources for self-study. For more experienced team members, I encouraged
them to share their experGse and ideas, allowing them to take ownership of specific aspects
of the migraGon. AddiGonally, I recognized and respected the diversity of perspecGves within
the team, taking into account cultural nuances and considering how they might impact
decision-making and communicaGon styles.

Through effecGve collaboraGon and understanding of the client's development team, we

successfully refactored the monolithic codebase into microservices, containerized the
services using Docker, and deployed them on Azure Kubernetes Service. The infrastructure
design provided the necessary scalability, fault tolerance, and security capabiliGes. By
embracing diverse perspecGves, we achieved a comprehensive soluGon that met the
organizaGon's specific needs and laid the foundaGon for their conGnued success in the
cloud.

16. Tell me about a Gme you took iniGaGve at work and did something outside of your
main responsibiliGes

During my Gme latest internship, I personally experienced the challenges of the intern
onboarding process, which wasn’t very well structured and lacked centralized approach. I
recognized the potenGal for improvement and I was inspired to take iniGaGve because I saw
an opportunity to make a posiGve impact on the experiences of future interns.

To begin, I collaborated with various teams and stakeholders, including fellow interns and
managers to gather relevant materials and insights. Using my organizaGonal skills and
a]enGon to detail, I curated a comprehensive collecGon of resources, including
documentaGon, guides, best pracGces, and helpful Gps tailored to role. I leveraged internal
plaUorms and tools to create an accessible and user-friendly centralized space where future
interns could easily access and navigate these resources. To ensure the longevity and
effecGveness of this iniGaGve, I established a feedback loop by regularly reaching out to
interns and gathering their input on the resources provided so that their suggesGons could
be incorporated.

The potenGal impact of this iniGaGve was significant. Future interns would be able to hit the
ground running more efficiently, gaining a deeper understanding of their roles and
responsibiliGes from the beginning. This would result in increased producGvity, reduced
onboarding Gme, and a smoother transiGon into their posiGons. AddiGonally, the centralized
could become a valuable plaUorm for interns to connect, share insights, and build a strong
sense of community.
This experience demonstrated my proacGvity, problem-solving skills, and dedicaGon to
improving the intern experience at MicrosoW. By taking the iniGaGve to create a centralized
resource hub, I showcased my ability to idenGfy a need, collaborate with stakeholders, and
deliver a soluGon that posiGvely impacted both the organizaGon and future interns.

17. Tell me about a project which required you to learn something new

During my latest internship, I was working on an infrastructure development project with

AWS. One of the main challenges I faced during this project was adapGng to infrastructure-
as-code pracGces, specifically with AWS CDK. Although I had a strong background in soWware
engineering, I hadn't previously worked extensively with infrastructure as code concepts. As
a result, the AWS CDK and the infrastructure-as-code approach posed a significant challenge.
I was determined to overcome this challenge. Despite not having prior experience in this
specific domain, I remained persistent and commi]ed to acquiring the necessary knowledge
and skills. I embraced the opportunity as a chance to expand my experGse in automaGng
infrastructure provisioning. I immersed myself in learning resources, including online
tutorials, documentaGon. I also sought guidance from my technical mentor who had
previous experience with infrastructure as code and provided me with useful resources.
Through self-study and hands-on pracGce, I gradually gained a deeper understanding of AWS
CDK and its applicaGon in automaGng infrastructure provisioning. My persistence paid off as
I successfully managed to learn the concepts of IaC. Despite the iniGal learning curve, I
leveraged my soWware engineering background to adapt coding principles to managing
infrastructure. As a result, I was able to streamline infrastructure provisioning, reduce errors,
and create a more predictable infrastructure.

18. Why should we hire you?

You should hire me for several reasons. I am a very posiGve person who enjoys the challenge
of working on difficult tasks and projects. I have experience working alone and collaboraGng
as part of a team. I am a solid communicator. I will always go above and beyond what is
expected in this role. You should also hire me because I am a fast learner. This means you
won’t have to spend your valuable Gme closely monitoring or supervising me. Finally, you
should hire me because I will always take care of my ongoing professional development. This
means the skills and knowledge I possess will always be purposeful and relevant to the
posiGon.

19. Share an example of a Gme when you had to prioriGze mulGple tasks or projects
with compeGng deadlines. How did you manage your Gme and ensure successful
compleGon?

During my Gme in university, I faced a situaGon where I had to manage mulGple tasks and
projects with compeGng deadlines. In one semester, I was taking several demanding courses
that required assignments, presentaGons, and exams to be completed within the same
Gmeframe.

To effecGvely manage my Gme and ensure successful compleGon, I implemented the

following strategies:
 • Assessing task requirements and deadlines: I carefully reviewed the requirements
and deadlines for each task or project. This helped me gain a clear understanding of
the scope and urgency of each item on my to-do list.
• PrioriGzing tasks: I assigned priority levels to each task based on their deadlines and
importance. I idenGfied the criGcal tasks that needed immediate a]enGon and
ranked them accordingly.
• CreaGng a schedule and Gmeline: I developed a detailed schedule and Gmeline to
map out my work for each task. This involved seVng realisGc deadlines for individual
steps and ensuring that I allowed sufficient Gme for revisions and unforeseen
challenges. This allowed me to create a structured plan of acGon and allocate specific
Gme slots to work on each component.

By implemenGng these strategies, I successfully managed to complete all tasks and projects
within their respecGve deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality. This
experience taught me the importance of effecGve Gme management, organizaGon, and
adaptability when handling mulGple prioriGes simultaneously.

Overview of behavioural interviews in Big Tech

Amazon: Leadership Principles (LPs)

Amazon's behavioural interviews are centered around 16 Leadership Principles (including
Ownership, Bias for AcGon, Think Big)

Google: Googliness and Role-Related Knowledge

At Google, behavioral interviews assess Googliness, which includes collaboraGon, humility,
taking iniGaGve, and alignment with Google’s culture. They also evaluate role-related
knowledge and how candidates align with Google's values.

Microso:: Growth Mindset and Core Competencies

MicrosoW's behavioral interviews are based on their core competencies (customer focus,
teamwork, drive for results) and their emphasis on a growth mindset, reflecGng adaptability
and conGnuous learning.

Apple: Apple’s Values and Design Thinking

Apple looks for alignment with their core values (innovaGon, simplicity, user focus). They
tend to focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and creaGve approaches to challenges,
reflecGng their emphasis on design thinking and user-centric innovaGon.

Meta (Facebook): Meta Values and Impact-Oriented Thinking

Meta’s behavioral interviews are guided by their Meta Values ("Move Fast," "Focus on
Impact," "Be Open"). They focus on how candidates create impact, work collaboraGvely, and
deal with ambiguity, emphasizing innovaGon and adaptability.