Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study? • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#1

Post by hallOfFameCity » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 5:38 AM UTC

I have recently received an email stating that Amazon would like to interview me for an internship position. I know that this job is highly competitive but is an incredible opportunity! I want to know even if I don't get the position that I tried as best as I could to get the job.

I have about a week and a half to prepare. What should I study?

I have assumed doing some code challenge exercises online and reviewing sorting algorithms. If anyone has any suggestions or resources I would love to hear from you!

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#2

Post by arebop » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 6:23 AM UTC

http://videos.edufire.com/2009/entrepreneurship/how-to-rock-...

Look at search as well as sorting algorithms. Know basic data structures and associated algorithms. Practice at a whiteboard. Don't worry about getting it right the first time: just keep trying things if you get stuck. Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#3

Post by int3 » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 6:28 AM UTC

Cracking the Coding Interview is great, though you have to pay for it: http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Coding-Interview-Programming-...

MIT's IAP course resources are pretty good too: http://courses.csail.mit.edu/iap/interview/materials.php

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#4

Post by mattbillenstein » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 7:22 AM UTC

Best thing I ever read about interviewing/hiring:

https://sites.google.com/site/steveyegge2/five-essential-pho...

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#5

Post by axitkhurana » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 2:09 PM UTC

Found a link from today's HN homepage: http://mycareerstack.com/questions/?company=Amazon

Looks like a nice resource.

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#6

Post by hallOfFameCity » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 2:29 PM UTC

axitkhurana wrote: post #5

Found a link from today's HN homepage: http://mycareerstack.com/questions/?company=Amazon Looks like a nice resource.

This is awesome! Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#7

Post by hallOfFameCity » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 2:29 PM UTC

arebop wrote: post #2

http://videos.edufire.com/2009/entrepreneurship/how-to-rock-... Look at search as well as sorting algorithms. Know basic data structures and associated algorithms. Practice at a whiteboard. Don't worry about getting it right the first time: just keep trying things if you get stuck. Good luck.

I will definitely go to a group study room at the library and practice on a white board. Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#8

Post by hallOfFameCity » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 2:30 PM UTC

int3 wrote: post #3

Cracking the Coding Interview is great, though you have to pay for it: http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Coding-Interview-Programming-... MIT's IAP course resources are pretty good too: http://courses.csail.mit.edu/iap/interview/materials.php

Two great links!

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#9

Post by hallOfFameCity » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 3:52 PM UTC

mattbillenstein wrote: post #4

Best thing I ever read about interviewing/hiring: https://sites.google.com/site/steveyegge2/five-essential-pho...

This is actually surprisingly helpful and insightful as it's written for the interviewer but just as insightful for the interviewee.

Re: Ask HN: Amazon internship interview - what to study?

#10

Post by googoobaby » Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 3:59 PM UTC

Just remember that Amazon is a sweatshop.