The changes present in the world of work today are undeniable. It is a fast-paced and ever-changing phenomenon that is becoming exponentially multinational day by day. It is for these reasons that students and young professionals must keep up-to-date with these changes and embrace all new possibilities set out by this evolving landscape. They are faced with an exciting time in which new opportunities and career paths are emerging frequently, and now is the time to start preparing. This is our goal at Talent & Careers at IE University.
Amazon is the largest internet retailer in the world. Founded in 1994, it is now considered the most valuable retailer in the United States by market capital. It offers a wide range of products which it purchases for resale from external sellers. Amazon employs over 560,000 people worldwide and helps them to gain new skills in a vast array of opportunities. Working at such a huge multinational company involves being a dynamic, innovative professional. We spoke with a recruiter to find out what it’s like to work at Amazon and what exactly they look for in new team members.
What company do you work for and what do you like most about it?
I work for Amazon Operations. What I like the most is the meritocratic nature of Amazon and how much autonomy and accountability every employee demonstrates towards delivering the best experience for the customer.
What do your day-to-day activities involve?
My day-to-day activities include speaking to a variety of candidates and hiring managers. I ensure we are hiring the right people and that we are connecting with the correct audience.
What does your company look for when recruiting recent university graduates?
We look for people who follow Amazon’s values, which include things such as ownership and bias for action. They must also have the ability to think big and have a knack for inventing and simplifying.
What are the most important skills that a candidate must have to succeed in your company?
The most important skills to succeed are motivation to learn new things and the ability to deliver results.
What trends in higher education are redefining your approach towards the recruitment process?
The main trend that we are following at the moment reflects the trends seen in both education and in today’s society, which is to strive for an ever-increasing level of diversity from all perspectives.
What is the biggest challenge you face when recruiting new employees?
The biggest challenge we face is trying to educate new team members on Amazon’s message. We may be a big company, but really we are a collection of startups within one multinational corporation.
What advice would you give to future candidates interested in working at your company?
The best advice I can give to anyone striving to join the Amazon team is to do their research on Amazon’s values, and to figure out whether they are a good match based on their core values.
Talent & Careers at IE University aids students in their search for jobs and guides them in the right direction towards their chosen careers. The team at IE University’s Talent & Careers works vigorously to establish important connections with the world’s most influential employers. With personalized guidance, one-on-one sessions, and an exclusive network of employers, students at IEU are offered world-class opportunities to help start their professional career.
Talent & Careers publish an annual report in which they proudly demonstrate impressive employability results. The Career Report displays how students at IE University are ambitious professionals who boast their own unique entrepreneurial spirit. While four percent of students chose an entrepreneurial route, others were employed at some of largest multinational companies, including Google, Amazon, and Esteé Lauder. The report also features successful stories of IE University’s alumni, this year focusing on two very impressive stories of students who started their own businesses. Overall, the report encapsulates all that is IE University—a richly diverse community home to innovative and determined individuals.
