Mastering Technical Interviews: Insights from Amazon's Sean Anderson

In our latest Wellfound "Ask a Recruiter" Q&A session, we hosted Sean Anderson, Senior Talent Advisor at Amazon, who supports the Amazon Ads team. With over a decade of experience in technical recruiting, Sean has helped build high-performing teams at innovative companies, including Amazon, TerraPower, MicroVision, Blue Origin, and Zones Incorporated. Throughout his career, Sean has successfully placed hundreds of professionals in roles ranging from technical specialists to C-suite executives.

Sean's expertise in full-cycle recruiting—from sourcing to salary negotiations—and impressive track record of identifying standout talent made him an invaluable resource for candidates navigating today's competitive technical job market.

Watch the Full Session Here:

Key Takeaways for Technical Interview Success

Preparing for Technical Assessments

When it comes to technical interviews, preparation is crucial. Sean emphasized treating technical interview prep like studying for an exam.

"Straight interview prep for a technical interview like you're studying for a test. Best answer I can give you," Sean advised. This means thoroughly reviewing the job description and being ready to address the specific skills mentioned using the employer's terminology.

Sean recommends practicing with peers who work in similar roles: "If you know people that do similar things to you, ask them to test you." He notes that most rejections don't happen because candidates can't do the work, but because "they struggled to answer the questions and it left the manager kind of open the door to wondering if they're a good fit."

Standing Out Among Talented Candidates

While many candidates focus on how to stand out dramatically, Sean suggests that being a solid, prepared candidate is often more important.

"Sometimes it can be less about standing out, as it is just being a good candidate," Sean explained. This includes professional basics like ensuring your background is appropriate during virtual interviews and thoroughly researching the company.

One of his favorite recommendations is to ask insightful questions demonstrating your value: "One of my favorite questions as a recruiter is, 'What is the biggest challenge facing you right now?' That lets you say, 'Hey, you know that your biggest challenge? Here's a little bit of how I've got experience that can help with that.'"

Being Authentic in Interviews

Authenticity is a key differentiator, according to Sean. "Let yourself be you. Don't make it so that you're so rehearsed that you don't seem natural," he emphasized. "You're going to be spending at least 40 hours a week with this group of people. Hopefully, you want to know that who you are is going to fit with who they are."

This applies to showing enthusiasm as well. Sean encourages candidates to express genuine interest: "Please let us know that you're interested. Managers love passion for the company." He clarified that expressing interest won't hurt your ability to negotiate later, so don't hide your excitement.

Navigating the Recruiter Screen

The initial recruiter screening is your first opportunity to make an impression. Sean recommends being personable and asking questions about the process.

"Be friendly, be yourself, ask questions about culture, about their work," Sean advised. "If they're not being very clear on what the process is, dig deep into it."

A common mistake Sean sees is candidates who haven't researched the company. "I can't tell you how many times... people didn't really know what we did. And that's a big turnoff for me. If you don't really understand what the company is, I'm kind of wondering why you're interested and why we're talking."

Effectively Handling Technical Questions

Sean emphasized the importance of being able to explain technical concepts clearly: "If you can't explain what you do to a layman, you're not an expert. So you need to be able to explain it to me like I know nothing."

This ability to communicate complex ideas simply demonstrates depth of knowledge and experience. When faced with unclear questions, Sean advises: "Don't be afraid to say, 'Hey, the way you ask the question, I want to make sure I understand it,' and clarify because you don't want to make a mistake that could be avoided."

Optimizing Your Resume

Sean recommends keeping resumes clean, clear, and concise. A two-page resume focusing on the last ten years of experience is ideal for most technical roles.

One of his strongest recommendations is customization: "Tailor your resume to each job. I know it's a pain, but generally, my advice is if they've got these required skills, your skills should be in that order and addressed." You should make it easy for the recruiter to scan and see that you're a match.

Sean also advises including measurable results: "Make sure you have results... this is what I did, and this is what I achieved."

The Value of Follow-up

Many candidates wonder about the impact of following up after interviews. Sean confirmed it's almost always a positive: "I love it when somebody reaches out to me after a screen."

While it may not always make a difference, the one who sent a thoughtful follow-up email might have an edge in close decisions between final candidates. "I have never seen it be a negative," Sean noted. Just make sure to proofread carefully!

Addressing Employment Gaps

Sean recommends focusing on how you've kept your skills current for candidates with employment gaps. "Talk about what you were doing. And I'm assuming if you're in tech, you've probably been doing things to keep your skills up to date," he advised.

He encourages candidates to highlight any relevant learning or projects completed during the gap: "If you were taking coding classes or AI courses, make sure that's on your resume so that employers understand that you weren't just doing nothing."

Using References and Referrals

Sean was emphatic when asked about the value of referrals: "I have never seen where a reference didn't make at least a little bit of a difference... If you have a reference for a company, always use it."

Even if the referral doesn't lead directly to the position you applied for, it can open doors to other opportunities within the organization.

Perseverance Pays Off

Sean shared an encouraging story about persistence: "The record that I saw, somebody applied to 220 different roles within the company. And actually, we ended up hiring them."

Previous rejections don't mean you should stop trying, especially at companies you're passionate about. "So try, try, try again."

Actionable Takeaways for Job Seekers

Here's a concrete action list based on Sean's advice that you can implement immediately:

Before the Interview

1. Study the job description thoroughly - Align your resume skills in the same order as the listed requirements
2. Research the company deeply - Understand their products, mission, and specific team structure
3. Prepare for technical questions - Practice like it's an exam, using mock interviews with peers
4. Develop clear explanations of complex technical concepts in simple terms
5. Create a list of strategic questions to demonstrate your value (e.g., "What's your biggest challenge right now?")

During the Interview

6. Be authentically yourself rather than overly rehearsed
7. Show genuine enthusiasm for the company and role
8. Ask for clarification when questions are unclear
9. Connect your experience directly to their stated challenges
10. Highlight quantifiable achievements from previous roles

After the Interview

11. Send a thoughtful follow-up email within 24 hours
12. Proofread carefully before sending any communications
13. Keep applying to other roles at companies you're passionate about
14. Leverage your network for referrals whenever possible
15. Continue learning and updating your skills between interviews

Moving Forward in Your Job Search

Sean Anderson's insights provide a valuable roadmap for navigating technical interviews in today's competitive job market. By focusing on thorough preparation, authentic communication, and strategic follow-up, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of success.

Remember that recruiters like Sean are looking for candidates who not only have the technical skills required but can effectively communicate their expertise and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the role and company.

As you continue your job search journey, keep these expert tips in mind. Approach each interview as an opportunity to showcase your technical abilities and authentic self.

This article summarizes key points from Wellfound's 'Ask a Recruiter' live Q&A event featuring Sean Anderson.

To learn more candidate tips, subscribe and check out 'Ask a Recruiter' on YouTube here.