Five things you need to know when applying for an Amazon apprenticeship

Liz has worked in the recruitment industry for over twenty years and is now a member of a team that selects, attracts, and recruits apprentices. One of Liz’s key goals is to change the stereotypes around apprenticeships and encourage anyone including school leavers, career breakers and career leavers to consider apprenticeships.

“If you’re considering an apprenticeship at Amazon, it is important to think about what motivates and inspires you. Amazon has so many career paths to choose from, so make sure to express your interest in the specific apprenticeship programme you want to join. Do some research on the programme and show that you’re enthusiastic about learning and taking ownership of your growth. Don’t forget to familiarise yourself with Amazon's Leadership Principles to prepare for any assessments or interviews.”

Samantha is a Senior Apprenticeship Programme Manager with over seven years of experience working with apprentices. In her role, Samantha supports apprentices throughout the duration of their programme, works with training providers to ensure programmes are delivered to a high standard and prepares business leads in Amazon to onboard apprentices onto their teams.

“We’re looking for people who want to actively contribute to teams and aren’t afraid to say, ‘I might not know how to do this, but I am willing to learn, give it my all and never let you down’. It all ties back to Amazon’s Leadership Principles particularly Ownership and Learn and Be Curious which every Amazonian uses. Lastly, we want to see your commitment to the apprenticeship programme, developing yourself and getting your qualification.”

As a Creative Design Apprentice with Amazon Fashion, Oskar has immersed himself in the exciting world of e-commerce and design. So far, he’s collaborated on creative projects, learnt from industry experts in work and university, honed his problem-solving skills and expanded his professional network.

“Embrace questions! It’s important to know that there are no stupid questions if you want to keep learning and growing. From the interview stage to when you begin, don’t hesitate to ask any questions - it's how you prepare for a successful Amazon apprenticeship journey."

Jasmine joined Amazon as a school leaver after deciding that university wasn’t the right option for her. Three months into her marketing executive apprenticeship, she is loving the learning opportunities and feels like another member of the team with real responsibilities. Here's her tip for those leaving school and changing their education trajectory:

“Think about any prior experience that highlights your transferable skills like teamwork, communication or problem-solving and make sure it applies to the position at Amazon. For example, my experience as a waitress gave me great interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a team and manage different tasks independently. In my interview, I was able to explain how those skills were transferable to my role at Amazon and how they would be of great benefit to my team.”

Jessica joined Amazon three years ago after completing her A-levels and is entering the final year of her degree apprenticeship. Her current role involves maintaining, repairing, and improving mechanical and electrical systems. Jess works alongside a team of highly skilled automation engineers who push her to think ‘outside the box’ every day and constantly look for new ideas to make their site more efficient.

“There is a lot of competition for apprenticeship roles at Amazon so it is essential that you give the best account of yourself possible. Play to your strengths in the application and ask ‘what makes me unique?’ Also, make sure to explain why you are interested in the role, and how you can contribute to Amazon."