A strong CV is not enough to succeed in Amazon’s recruitment process. Candidates must also demonstrate measurable results, solve complex problems, and understand the company’s values. These factors can make a difference from the earliest stages of an application.
This was one of the key messages from a session organized with Rome Business School, featuring Fabrizio Maltese, Full Lifecycle Recruiter at Amazon. The event explored career opportunities for 2027, recruitment criteria, and the skills Amazon looks for in future employees.
The session offered students a first-hand perspective on Amazon’s hiring process. It also featured insights from an Amazon Brand Specialist, who explained the responsibilities and daily challenges of a role that connects brands, suppliers, and the market.
At Amazon, the Leadership Principles guide business decisions, performance evaluations, and recruitment. As Maltese explained, these principles go beyond corporate values. They shape everyday work and define the expectations Amazon has for its employees.
One of the most important principles is Customer Obsession, which puts customer needs at the centre of every business decision. This approach applies across all departments. For example, recruiters serve several types of customers, including candidates, universities, and hiring managers. Each group has different needs and expectations.
Another key principle is Earn Trust. It highlights the importance of building reliable relationships, welcoming feedback, and learning from others.
These principles also influence Amazon’s recruitment process. Online assessments for many positions evaluate candidates’ behaviours and their alignment with the company’s values.
Therefore, understanding the Leadership Principles before applying can help candidates prepare more effectively. It also allows them to assess whether Amazon’s culture matches their professional goals and working style.
One of the most practical topics discussed during the event was Amazon’s recruitment process.
Maltese explained that many applications begin through Amazon Jobs and continue with an online assessment. Depending on the position, candidates may then complete a business case and attend individual interviews with hiring managers. In some cases, assessment results remain valid for six months.
During the session, Maltese highlighted the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. This framework helps candidates structure their answers and explain their professional experiences clearly.
The method follows four steps:
A strong answer does not necessarily require extensive professional experience. University projects, group assignments, internships, and extracurricular activities can all provide valuable examples. The key is to explain your personal contribution and demonstrate the results.
Furthermore, data plays an important role in Amazon’s business culture. Candidates should use measurable outcomes and concrete indicators whenever possible. These details make their achievements more credible, both on a CV and during an interview.
Effective preparation therefore involves selecting relevant examples, practising clear answers, and understanding the responsibilities of the role.
The presentation also explored internship and graduate programme opportunities for 2027. Potential roles span several business functions, including Business Development, Finance, Retail, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Business Analysis.
Amazon’s international presence creates opportunities across different European markets. However, language requirements and eligibility criteria vary by country and position.
Many roles that involve local customers or markets require strong knowledge of the relevant national language. By contrast, some positions in finance may offer greater flexibility.
Maltese also emphasized the importance of applying early. Recruitment for the 2027 intake may begin several months before the actual start date. Moreover, start dates can vary depending on the needs of individual teams.
Internal mobility is another important aspect of career development at Amazon. Maltese’s own career journey illustrates this point. He moved from operational and management functions into HR and Talent Acquisition, showing how employees can develop new skills and take on different responsibilities over time.
For students and recent graduates, this highlights the value of transferable skills, adaptability, and a willingness to explore new career paths.
The second part of the event focused on the work of an Amazon Brand Specialist. Francesco, a Brand Specialist at Amazon, shared his professional experience and explained how the role combines analytical thinking, negotiation, and commercial relationship management.
Brand Specialists help connect Amazon with the brands that sell their products through the platform. Their responsibilities include analysing product assortments, monitoring stock availability, improving commercial performance, and planning promotional campaigns such as Prime Day and Black Friday.
The role requires a balance between several business priorities. Brand Specialists must help expand product selection, maintain appropriate stock levels, improve profitability, and build effective relationships with suppliers.
To achieve these goals, they rely on data and performance indicators. At the same time, they need strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The position also involves close collaboration with departments such as Finance, Marketing, and Advertising. Through this cross-functional work, Brand Specialists gain a broader understanding of the business and develop both technical and managerial skills.
For aspiring professionals, this role illustrates how analytical expertise and interpersonal skills can work together to drive business results.
Beyond recruitment requirements, the session explored how Amazon supports professional development.
Interns can access support from managers, mentors, and buddies. This structure complements formal training with opportunities to learn from colleagues and collaborate with different teams.
However, professional growth also requires individual initiative. Maltese emphasized the importance of actively seeking feedback, building professional relationships, learning from other departments, and identifying opportunities to improve.
As a result, curiosity and continuous learning become essential skills throughout a career. They help professionals adapt to changing technologies, evolving business priorities, and new ways of working.
For students and recent graduates, the message is clear: professional development does not stop once you secure a position. Instead, it continues through everyday challenges, collaboration, and a willingness to learn.
The session gave the Rome Business School community an opportunity to connect academic learning with the expectations of a global employer.
From preparing for interviews to understanding commercial operations, the discussion highlighted the practical skills candidates need to develop. A strong application matters, but candidates must also show how they think, solve problems, collaborate, and create value.
Ultimately, building a career at Amazon requires more than technical knowledge or an impressive CV. Candidates need to demonstrate their impact, embrace continuous learning, and take ownership of their responsibilities.
For students preparing to enter the job market in 2027, these insights offer a useful starting point. Understand the company’s values, prepare concrete examples of your achievements, and learn to communicate your results with confidence.
Because the strongest candidates do more than describe what they can do. They show what they have achieved, how they approach challenges, and what they can contribute next.
