To get you ready and prepared for your interview questions, the best tip I can give you is to look at linkedin. They have a very good page which goes into many of the most commonly asked interview questions. https://www.linkedin.com/interview-prep/assessments/urn:li:fs_assessment:(1,a)/question/urn:li:fs_assessmentQuestion:(10027,aq27)/

As a data center manager, you may get some particular questions like this:

  1. What is an open transition? (Amazon)
  2. Explain the differences between Linux and Unix (Amazon)
  3. Explain the differences between Single Mode and Multi Mode (Amazon)
  4. What is the difference between HDD and SDD? (Amazon)
  5. What is the bigger contribution you have made in your current position? (Facebook)
  6. Are you comfortable firing someone? (Amazon)
  7. What would you do if you come in next morning and you have 1000 tickets in your queue?
  8. Why do you want this job?
  9. Give an example where you made a decision for long term benefit than short term?(Amazon)
  10. Which of the Leadership Principles do you think you are the weakest?

Learn and memorize the following Leadership Principles. The interviewer WILL ask you to give examples how you have done at least one of these principles in your role as a data center manager.

Leadership Principles

  1. Customer Obsession
  2. Ownership
  3. Invent and Simplify
  4. Are Right, A Lot
  5. Learn and Be Curious
  6. Hire and Develop the Best
  7. Insist on the Highest Standards
  8. Think Big
  9. Bias for Action
  10. Frugality
  11. Earn Trust
  12. Dive Deep
  13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
  14. Deliver Results

One important factor that I've learned in the interviews with amazon for a data center manager is that the position they call "Data Center Manger" is actually a supervisor role and not technical. When I applied for the job, I learned during the interview that the your main role as the data center manager is to be a supervisor to the technicians. There are Amazon technicians an also contractors. Most of these techs are not very technical positions because most of their equipment is very automated. My current role as a Data Center Manger in another tech company involves me being the site manager. As the data center manager, I am in charge of the Infrastructure personnel, the technicians and security of the site. My current role is much more technical requiring knowledge of electrical, HVAC equipment and IT equipment including Space management and project management. The amazon role is very limited and basic. I turned it down because it was simply not what I was interested. The recruiter recommended I apply for the more technical positions in their infrastructure team which involves the Backup Generators, Cooling, Switchboard UPS systems etc..

At the beginning of the interview, you will be ask to describe yourself. The interviewer already knows about you, so don't waste your time repeating what is in your resume. Instead focus on how you connect with the position. What value to bring to the position and what benefit does amazon get by hiring you. Remember, they have hundreds of people interested in their jobs, you have to stand out amog all applicants.