Software Development Engineer II, Store Foundations

Amazon

You are given a string moves of length n consisting only of characters 'L', 'R', and '_'. The string represents your movement on a number line starting from the origin 0. In the ith move, you can choose one of the following directions: move to the left if moves[i] = 'L' or moves[i] = '_' move to the right if moves[i] = 'R' or moves[i] = '_' Return the *distance from the origin* of the *furthest* point you can get to after n moves. Example 1: Input: moves = L_RL__R Output: 3 Explanation: The furthest point we can reach from the origin 0 is point -3 through the following sequence of moves LLRLLLR. Example 2: Input: moves = R__LL Output: 5 Explanation: The furthest point we can reach from the origin 0 is point -5 through the following sequence of moves LRLLLLL. Example 3: Input: moves = _ Output: 7 Explanation: The furthest point we can reach from the origin 0 is point 7 through the following sequence of moves RRRRRRR.

Amazon

Let's explore your problem-solving skills with a practical scenario. Imagine you're building a feature for an e-commerce website that recommends products to users based on their past purchases. The system currently uses a simple algorithm: it identifies the products most frequently bought by users with similar purchase histories and suggests those. However, you've noticed a few issues: Lack of Novelty: The recommendations are often too obvious or repetitive. Users who bought coffee are constantly recommended coffee, even though they might be interested in other related items like filters, mugs, or coffee makers. Cold Start Problem: New users with limited purchase history receive generic recommendations that aren't very helpful. Ignoring User Context: The system doesn't consider factors like the time of year (e.g., recommending winter coats in July) or current trends. Your task is to enhance the recommendation system to address these issues. Describe your approach, considering both algorithmic improvements and data enrichment strategies. Provide specific examples of how you would: Incorporate a measure of diversity to introduce novelty into the recommendations. Handle the cold start problem for new users. Leverage additional data sources (e.g., product descriptions, user reviews, social media trends) to improve recommendation accuracy and relevance. Explain what machine learning algorithms and evaluation metrics you would use to validate your improvements. How would you A/B test your changes to ensure they are positively impacting user engagement and sales?

Amazon

Why do you want to work at Amazon? To provide a comprehensive answer, consider the following aspects: Amazon's Mission and Values: How do Amazon's core values, such as customer obsession, innovation, bias for action, and ownership, resonate with your personal and professional values? Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated similar values in your previous experiences. For instance, can you describe a situation where you went above and beyond to satisfy a customer, or when you took initiative to implement a novel solution to a challenging problem? Amazon's Culture of Innovation: Amazon is renowned for its innovative culture and willingness to experiment. How does this environment appeal to you? Are there any specific Amazon products, services, or initiatives that you find particularly inspiring or exciting? Perhaps you're impressed by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon's foray into artificial intelligence with Alexa, or their advancements in logistics and delivery. Explain why these innovations capture your interest and how you believe you could contribute to future innovation at Amazon. Growth and Learning Opportunities: Amazon offers a wide range of opportunities for professional growth and development. What specific roles or career paths within Amazon are you interested in exploring, and why? Have you researched Amazon's internal training programs or mentorship opportunities? Discuss how you envision leveraging these resources to expand your skillset and advance your career within the company. For example, are you interested in moving into a leadership role, specializing in a particular technology, or working on a global scale? Your Skills and Experience: How do your skills and experience align with Amazon's needs and priorities? Identify specific projects or accomplishments from your past that demonstrate your ability to succeed in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Highlight any experience you have with technologies or methodologies that are relevant to Amazon's business, such as cloud computing, data analysis, machine learning, or agile development. Be prepared to discuss how your unique skills and experiences can contribute to Amazon's continued success. Can you quantify your accomplishments with metrics? Company Impact: What excites you about the potential to contribute to Amazon's impact on customers and the world? Consider how Amazon's products and services have transformed industries and improved people's lives. Are you drawn to the scale and scope of Amazon's operations, or the opportunity to work on projects that have a global reach? Express your enthusiasm for being part of a company that is constantly pushing boundaries and shaping the future.