Former junior assistant recounts unique interview questions that landed her the job

In a surprising revelation, a former Amazon employee, Ann Hiatt, has shared her extraordinary job interview experience with the tech giant’s founder, Jeff Bezos, detailing the unconventional questions that led to her hiring ‘on the spot.’

Having graduated from the University of Washington in 2002 amidst a challenging job market, Hiatt decided to explore the tech industry, despite lacking prior experience as an assistant. Her journey led her to apply for the position of Bezos’ junior assistant at Amazon.

The initial interview stages were described as ‘dizzying’ by Hiatt, involving extensive sessions with senior assistants, lasting the entire day. However, her dedication paid off as she advanced to the final interview, an encounter with Jeff Bezos himself.

Contrary to the anticipated grilling, Bezos set a unique tone by promising to ask only two questions. The first, as Hiatt recalls in a CNBC article, was a ‘fun’ brainteaser: estimating the number of panes of glass in the city of Seattle.

Despite initial trepidation, Hiatt approached the question strategically, considering the population of Seattle and deducing the average windows per person based on homes, modes of transportation, and workplaces. Bezos, seemingly satisfied, responded with a simple, “That looks about right.”

The second question delved into Hiatt’s career goals. Demonstrating her desire to learn from Amazon’s ambitious and passionate workforce, Hiatt emphasized her commitment to pushing beyond her comfort zone for continuous learning and growth. Bezos was impressed, and she was hired ‘on the spot.’

From her initial role as a junior assistant, Hiatt continued her journey at Amazon, working closely with Bezos and eventually ascending to the position of Executive Business Partner.

This anecdote sheds light on Bezos’ unconventional yet effective approach to hiring, focusing on problem-solving skills and a candidate’s alignment with Amazon’s values.