Are you preparing for an AWS job interview? AWS hires talented people and gives them the tools and support that lets them change how the world works.
To help you ace your interview, here are some of the most common AWS interview questions along with sample answers. Learn these, and you’ll be one step ahead of other candidates.
Define and explain the three basic types of cloud services and the AWS products that are built based on them2) What is the relation between the Availability Zone and Region?3) What are the steps involved in a CloudFormation Solution?4) How do you upgrade or downgrade a system with near-zero downtime?5) What are the tools and techniques that you can use in AWS to identify if you are paying more than you should be, and how to correct it?6) What are the native AWS Security logging capabilities?7) What is a DDoS attack, and what services can minimize them?8) You are trying to provide a service in a particular region, but you do not see the service in that region. Why is this happening, and how do you fix it?9) How do you set up a system to monitor website metrics in real-time in AWS?10) How would you approach troubleshooting a slow connection within the application?11) What are the differences between NAT Gateways and NAT Instances?12) Define Amazon EC2 regions and availability zones13) Mention the different types of instances in Amazon EC2 and explain its featuresWhat to wear to an AWS job interview to get hiredWhat to expect from an AWS job interview
Define and explain the three basic types of cloud services and the AWS products that are built based on them
What is the relation between the Availability Zone and Region?
What are the steps involved in a CloudFormation Solution?
How do you upgrade or downgrade a system with near-zero downtime?
What are the tools and techniques that you can use in AWS to identify if you are paying more than you should be, and how to correct it?
What are the native AWS Security logging capabilities?
What is a DDoS attack, and what services can minimize them?
You are trying to provide a service in a particular region, but you do not see the service in that region. Why is this happening, and how do you fix it?
How do you set up a system to monitor website metrics in real-time in AWS?
How would you approach troubleshooting a slow connection within the application?
What are the differences between NAT Gateways and NAT Instances?
Define Amazon EC2 regions and availability zones
Mention the different types of instances in Amazon EC2 and explain its features
What to wear to an AWS job interview to get hired
What to expect from an AWS job interview
AWS interview questions
For each service type, mention at least one AWS product that represents it. This shows your familiarity with AWS offerings. Briefly explain why each service type is important and how it benefits users.
Sample answer:
“The three basic types of cloud services are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. IaaS, or Infrastructure as a Service, provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. AWS’s EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is an example, offering scalable computing capacity. PaaS, or Platform as a Service, offers a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications. AWS Elastic Beanstalk is a PaaS offering, simplifying the deployment of applications. Finally, SaaS, or Software as a Service, provides software applications over the internet. Amazon Chime, a communications service, is an example of SaaS, enabling video conferencing and chat functionalities. Each service type addresses different needs: IaaS offers flexible, scalable infrastructure; PaaS provides a platform for app development without managing infrastructure; and SaaS delivers ready-to-use software solutions.”
This answer is effective because it covers all three service types and provides clear AWS examples for each. Mentioning specific AWS products demonstrates your familiarity with their ecosystem.
“In AWS, a Region is a specific geographical location where AWS hosts its data centers. Each Region consists of multiple isolated locations known as Availability Zones (AZs). Availability Zones are physically separate data centers within a Region, each with redundant power, networking, and connectivity. They are designed to be interconnected through low-latency links. This setup ensures that if one AZ experiences issues, the others in the same Region can provide redundancy and continued service. For example, the US East (Northern Virginia) Region comprises several AZs, enabling customers to run applications and databases in multiple locations for better availability and fault tolerance. This relationship is crucial for ensuring high availability and disaster recovery in AWS services.”
This is a great response because it provides clear, straightforward definitions of both a Region and Availability Zones. The answer also explains how AZs are part of a Region and their interconnectivity.
To answer this question, describe the key steps involved in creating and managing AWS CloudFormation solutions. Incorporate AWS-specific terms to demonstrate your familiarity with the platform.
This response is effective because it outlines the steps in a logical order, from template creation to stack management. Incorporating terms like ‘template’, ‘stack’, and ‘provision’ also shows an in-depth knowledge of AWS CloudFormation.
Highlight AWS services and features that enable near-zero downtime, such as Elastic Load Balancing, Auto Scaling, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk. Then, outline a clear strategy that involves steps like testing in a staging environment, rolling updates, or blue/green deployments.
“To achieve near-zero downtime during a system upgrade or downgrade, I use a combination of AWS services and deployment strategies. Firstly, I perform a test in a staging environment using AWS Elastic Beanstalk, ensuring the new version operates correctly. For the upgrade process, I utilize Elastic Load Balancing to distribute traffic across instances and employ Auto Scaling to adjust the capacity according to the load. I then implement a rolling update, where new instances with the upgraded system are gradually introduced, and old instances are removed. Alternatively, I use a blue/green deployment, where the new version (green) is deployed alongside the old version (blue), and traffic is slowly shifted to the green environment. This approach allows for monitoring performance and quick rollback if issues arise, ensuring continuous operation and minimal user impact. For downgrades, I follow a similar approach, ensuring a smooth transition back to the previous version.”
This response mentions relevant AWS services, showing familiarity with the ecosystem. It also outlines a specific, actionable strategy for both upgrading and downgrading.
“In AWS, effective cost management involves using tools like AWS Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets, and Trusted Advisor. With AWS Cost Explorer, I analyze spending patterns and usage trends to identify areas where costs can be reduced. AWS Budgets helps in setting custom budget alerts to monitor and manage spending. Trusted Advisor offers insights into where resources are underutilized. For correcting overspending, I assess if the current pricing models like On-Demand Instances are optimal, or if switching to Reserved Instances or Savings Plans can offer cost benefits. Regularly scaling resources based on demand and removing unused or idle resources also helps in cost optimization. For instance, downsizing instances or terminating orphaned EBS volumes can lead to significant savings. Lastly, ensuring that resources are in the right regions to avoid extra data transfer costs is crucial. This systematic approach to monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing resource usage ensures we pay only for what we need and use in AWS.”
This response is effective because it clearly outlines the primary AWS tools designed for cost management. The answer also includes analyzing spending patterns and usage, which is crucial for identifying overspending.
Mention AWS services specifically designed for security logging such as AWS CloudTrail, AWS CloudWatch, and Amazon VPC Flow Logs. Give a concise explanation of what each of these services does in terms of security logging.
“AWS offers several native security logging capabilities to monitor and record activities within an AWS environment. AWS CloudTrail is pivotal for governance, compliance, and operational auditing as it logs all API calls made within the AWS platform, including calls made via the AWS Management Console, AWS SDKs, and command-line tools. AWS CloudWatch, on the other hand, monitors AWS resources and applications, providing logs that offer insight into system-wide performance changes and operational health. It can be configured to send alerts or automate actions based on defined metrics. Amazon VPC Flow Logs is another essential tool, capturing information about the IP traffic going to and from network interfaces in a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC). This data is vital for security and network troubleshooting. Together, these tools provide comprehensive logging capabilities, allowing for effective monitoring, troubleshooting, and analysis of security and operational issues within AWS.”
This response specifically names and describes key AWS services used for security logging.
Each service is briefly explained, showing an understanding of their purposes and differences.
Discuss AWS services that are specifically designed to mitigate DDoS attacks, such as AWS Shield, AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall), and Amazon Route 53.
Briefly explain how each service contributes to minimizing the impact of DDoS attacks.
This response is great for three reasons. It starts with a clear definition of what a DDoS attack is, and then it mentions and describes key AWS services relevant to DDoS mitigation. The answer also explains how each service helps in minimizing the impact of DDoS attacks.
Suggest practical steps to address this.
This response is effective because it clearly explains why some services might not be available in certain regions. It also provides actionable steps one can take when faced with this issue.
For this question, it’s important to highlight AWS services that are essential for real-time website monitoring such as Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS X-Ray.
Briefly outline how you would configure these services for real-time monitoring.
This response is great because it mentions specific AWS services designed for monitoring purposes. It also provides a brief overview of how to set up and utilize these services.
Mention relevant AWS tools that aid in troubleshooting, such as Amazon CloudWatch, AWS X-Ray, or VPC Flow Logs.
“To troubleshoot a slow connection within an application on AWS, I’d start with a methodical approach to identify the root cause. Initially, I would use AWS CloudWatch to monitor network and application metrics, looking for any anomalies or performance degradation. AWS X-Ray can help in tracing the requests and pinpointing where the delays occur, whether it’s within the application or at the network level. If it’s network-related, I’d check VPC Flow Logs to examine the network traffic patterns and identify any bottlenecks. On the application side, I would review the application logs to identify any slow-performing queries or inefficient code. I would also ensure the EC2 instances are adequately sized and the database performance is optimized. If the issue persists, I would consider whether the application needs to be scaled up or out to handle the load. Throughout the process, I would document the findings and actions taken, which not only helps in resolving the current issue but also in preventing similar issues in the future.”
The answer reflects a structured approach to problem-solving. It specifically mentions using AWS tools for monitoring and diagnosing.
To answer this question, discuss the primary distinctions in terms of functionality, scalability, management, and cost. Mention typical scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.
The answer highlights the main differences in terms of management, scalability, and use cases. It also includes practical considerations like maintenance and cost, which are important in real-world applications.
Then, describe how Availability Zones are organized within Regions.
The answer explains the relationship between Regions and AZs and their importance for fault tolerance and high availability. It also provides clear, straightforward definitions of both Regions and Availability Zones.
Mention the broad categories of EC2 instances like General Purpose, Compute Optimized, Memory Optimized, Storage Optimized, and Accelerated Computing.
For each category, briefly describe the key features and typical use cases.
“Amazon EC2 provides a variety of instance types optimized for different use cases:
General Purpose Instances(e.g., T3, M5): These are balanced in terms of compute, memory, and networking resources and are suitable for a wide range of applications like web servers and code repositories.
Compute Optimized Instances(e.g., C5): These instances offer high performance processors and are ideal for compute-intensive applications like batch processing and gaming servers.
Memory Optimized Instances(e.g., R5, X1): They are designed for memory-intensive tasks such as high-performance databases and big data processing.
Storage Optimized Instances(e.g., D2, H1): These are optimized for workloads requiring high, sequential read and write access to large datasets on local storage.
Accelerated Computing Instances(e.g., P3, G4): They use hardware accelerators, or co-processors, such as GPU for graphics and data processing tasks like machine learning and 3D visualization.
Each type is tailored to specific workload requirements, helping users to optimize performance and cost for their applications.”
The answer encompasses the main categories of EC2 instances. It describes the features and typical use cases for each type, demonstrating an understanding of their purpose.
According toAmazon’s job resources page, you should wear something comfortable and casual. While some roles in our fulfillment centers may require certain clothing for safety reasons (such as closed-toed shoes), in most of our offices people wear everyday clothes. Amazon is interested in what you have to say, not what you’re wearing.
For an AWS job interview, go for smart casual attire, which is a blend of professional and informal clothing. It’s polished yet relaxed. Here’s an example for both men and women:
For Men:
For Women:
In both cases, the key is to balance comfort with sophistication. The outfit should be neat, well-fitted, and suitable for a semi-professional setting.
Knowing what to expect from an AWS interview can make or break the outcome.
I asked my friend who’s been through the AWS job interview process. He told me that the key thing Amazon looks for is whether you’re coachable or not.
Focus on both technical and soft skill questions.Amazon places a strong emphasis on the STAR format for responses. So, as you prepare, think about how your experiences relate to Amazon’s leadership principles and highlight these in your story, especially when discussing the resolution outcome.
Your first interview will likely be technical.Understanding Amazon’s principles is crucial; they might include a question based on these. According to my friend, this round felt more like a technical screening. If you progress past this, you need to know the leadership principles thoroughly and have examples ready for each.
Remember, your answers don’t have to be limited to professional experiences. My friend, for example, talked about my experiences with home ownership and personal AWS projects. Amazon is looking for a cultural fit and someone who embodies their principles and can communicate effectively.
If you’re doing an online interview, ensure your webcam and mic are working, and that your area is clean. Stay calm, smile, and try not to be too nervous.
Prepare a Google Doc with your questions and answers in the STAR format and practice them verbally without notes. I recommend staging mock video interviews with friends and family to refine your responses and body language. Prepare 2-3 stories for each leadership principle or question.
Most importantly avoid exaggerating or fabricating your experiences.Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. The interviewers take notes and discuss them collectively after your interview.
They’re not just looking for technical expertise; they want people who can thrive in their teams and culture with the right resources. If you’re a good fit for Amazon, it will naturally come through in the interview.
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