Google vs Amazon interview: Which is more challenging?

When it comes to landing a job in Big Tech, one of the most common questions engineers ask is: Is the Google interview tougher than Amazon? The Google vs Amazon interview debate is ongoing, with both companies having distinct hiring philosophies, interview structures, and evaluation metrics.

Let’s break down what each company looks for and how you can best prepare.

Google interview: Deep algorithmic thinking#

Google’s interviews are famously rigorous and focus heavily on core computer science fundamentals. Here’s what to expect:

• 4–5 rounds of technical interviews, mainly focused on data structures and algorithms.

• Problems that range from LeetCode Medium to Hard difficulty.

• A strong emphasis on time complexity, edge cases, and optimal solutions.

• System Design interviews start showing up for L5 (Senior Software Engineer) and above.

• Behavioral interviews are part of the process but are generally less structured.

If you’re aiming for Google, your DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) skills need to be razor sharp. They’re looking for engineers who can think clearly under pressure and solve hard problems elegantly.

Amazon interview: Structured and leadership-driven#

Amazon’s process balances technical skill with behavioral depth. While you’ll still face coding questions, expect a strong emphasis on their Leadership Principles.

• Amazon coding interviews: Mostly LeetCode Medium, with a practical, real-world twist.

• System Design: Crucial for mid-level and senior engineers (L5+).

• Behavioral interviews: Highly structured and aligned with Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles.

• Bar raiser: A specialized interviewer tasked with ensuring hiring consistency.

At Amazon, you’ll need to show not just technical ability, but sound decision-making, ownership, and the ability to earn trust through your answers.

Google vs Amazon interview: A side-by-side comparison#

Which one is tougher?#

The Google vs Amazon interview question really comes down to your strengths and preferences.

Choose Google if:

• You enjoy deep algorithmic challenges.

• You’re confident under time pressure.

• You prefer less behavioral and more technical evaluation.

Choose Amazon if:

• You excel in System Design and real-world engineering decisions.

• You’re comfortable talking about leadership and ownership.

• You want a more predictable and structured interview process.

Google is tougher on algorithms. Amazon is more rigorous with behavioral and design questions. Both are difficult in different ways.

How to prepare for each company#

Regardless of which direction you go, preparation is key. Here’s how to tailor your approach:

Preparing for Google:#

• Master LeetCode Medium-Hard problems, especially dynamic programming, graphs, and recursion.

• Get comfortable analyzing time and space complexity.

• Practice whiteboarding or mock interviews to build speed and confidence.

Preparing for Amazon:#

• Read and internalize Amazon’s 16 Leadership Principles.

• Practice the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.

• For L5+, focus on System Design interviews—scalability, trade-offs, and architecture matter.

Tips for navigating both interview styles#

Some engineers apply to both companies at once. If you're one of them, here's how to manage the dual prep:

• Use LeetCode to focus on Medium-Hard problems for Google, but keep practical, testable solutions in mind for Amazon.

• Mock System Design interviews apply to both—just adjust depth based on the company.

• Balance your time: spend equal effort on behavioral interview prep for Amazon and technical deep dives for Google.

What to expect post-interview#

Both companies follow multi-stage review processes:

• Google: After interviews, feedback is collected and reviewed by a hiring committee. This adds a layer of objectivity but can slow things down.

• Amazon: Interviewers submit their evaluations directly, and the bar raiser plays a critical role in final decisions. The process is typically faster.

Understanding the post-interview flow can help set expectations around timelines and feedback.

Remote vs onsite experience#

While many interviews are now virtual, the format still varies:

• Google tends to structure interviews in blocks—coding, then System Design or behavioral.

• Amazon often spreads interviews over multiple days and includes breaks for feedback.

Virtual interviews still mirror onsite expectations, so create a distraction-free space and practice on platforms like Google Meet or Amazon Chime.

How compensation and leveling compare#

Interview difficulty often aligns with expectations at each level:

• Google tends to level conservatively. L5 at Google is quite senior and aligns with roles that may be L6 at Amazon.

• Amazon may offer a higher title for the same experience but with more emphasis on leadership.

Understanding how roles map across companies helps when interpreting offer letters and negotiating comp.

Role-specific differences in interviews#

Beyond SWE roles, interview focus changes:

• Google TPM roles lean heavily on technical depth and cross-functional collaboration.

• Amazon TPM interviews include deep dives into customer obsession and ownership.

Knowing what’s tested by role helps refine your prep strategy.

Common pitfalls to avoid#

Interviewing at either company comes with patterns candidates often stumble on:

• Over-preparing for coding and under-preparing for behavioral at Amazon.

• Struggling with time constraints and incomplete solutions at Google.

• Not tailoring System Design depth to the expected level (too detailed or too shallow).

Awareness of these pitfalls helps you course-correct early.

How interview feedback influences hiring decisions#

Understanding how feedback is used can help you frame your performance more accurately:

• Google weighs feedback across multiple dimensions (algorithmic ability, communication, clarity) with input from hiring committees.

• Amazon pays close attention to whether candidates meet the Leadership Principles and often discusses candidate alignment across interviewers.

Both companies value consistency across rounds. At Google, one weak round can be offset by strong performance elsewhere, but inconsistencies can trigger follow-up questions or require re-evaluation. 

Amazon’s bar raisers often look for evidence of repeated patterns—both good and bad—to determine long-term fit. It’s not just about passing individual interviews; it's about painting a complete, reliable picture of your potential.

Your ability to create consistent impressions across interview rounds is often just as important as a single strong answer.

How reapplying works after rejection#

Getting rejected isn’t the end of the road:

• Google typically requires a waiting period (6–12 months) before reapplying, unless you're referred for a substantially different role.

• Amazon allows quicker reapplication, especially if feedback was neutral or promising.

Reapplying gives you a chance to show growth. At Google, it's important to address the exact areas where you struggled. If you didn’t do well in coding, focus on sharpening DSA skills and time complexity. 

If communication was flagged, do mock interviews with feedback. For Amazon, revisit the Leadership Principles. If you lacked clear ownership stories or your STAR method responses felt weak, use the extra time to craft better narratives.

Many candidates are successful on their second attempt. Recruiters appreciate persistence—just be ready to explain how you've improved.

Understanding reapplication policies can help you plan your next steps strategically if things don’t work out on the first attempt.

Final thoughts#

There’s no definitive winner in the Google vs Amazon interview showdown—just different paths to tech success.

• Google will push your algorithmic limits.

• Amazon will test how well you lead, decide, and communicate.

The best way to choose? Reflect on your strengths and learning preferences. Then, prepare with intention.

Good luck, and happy interviewing!