Episode 132
How to Pass the Amazon Bar Raiser Interview (From an Amazon Interviewer) - w/ Utkarsh
In 2022, Utkarsh Bajaj graduated from Purdue's MS in Business Analytics program into a job market where four offers was normal. Today he works in applied AI at Amazon, sits on the other side of the interview table, and says landing a single interview call is now the hard part.
Inside the Amazon interview loop with Utkarsh Bajaj
Utkarsh works in applied AI at Amazon and interviews candidates. In this conversation, he compares his post-Purdue job search in 2022 with the 2026 market, talks through the Bar Raiser's place in the Amazon loop, and explains why he asks candidates to defend the numbers and system decisions behind their work.
- At 11:41, Utkarsh and Naman discuss the Amazon interview loop and the Bar Raiser's role.
- At 17:34, they discuss what to do when a coding interview stalls.
- At 21:32, Utkarsh describes what he looks for when interviewing candidates in 2026.
- The conversation also covers his move to Toronto after the H-1B lottery and a 100-day LinkedIn posting challenge.
Who this is for
- You are trying to get hired without sounding like everybody else in the pile.
- You would rather hear Utkarsh's version while the mess is still fresh than get another polished hindsight sermon.
Key takeaways
- Pass the Amazon Bar Raiser Interview (From an Amazon Interviewer) - w/ Utkarsh
Fast scan timestamps
Show notes
In 2022, Utkarsh Bajaj graduated from Purdue's MS in Business Analytics program into a job market where four offers was normal. Today he works in applied AI at Amazon, sits on the other side of the interview table, and says landing a single interview call is now the hard part. (If your inbox has been quiet for weeks, that line probably stings. It stung me too.) In this episode of Ready Set Do, Utkarsh breaks down the Amazon interview loop from the inside.
FAQ
What does an Amazon Bar Raiser do in the interview loop?
Utkarsh, who interviews candidates at Amazon, discusses the Bar Raiser's role in the loop starting at 11:41. His perspective is that this interviewer has significant influence on the hiring outcome.
What should you do if you get stuck in an Amazon coding interview?
Utkarsh discusses a coding round he thought he had failed and what he learned from the interviewer afterward. That part of the conversation begins at 17:34.
What AI answers raise red flags for Amazon interviewers?
Utkarsh says a generic answer about using AI to write things does not demonstrate current technical judgment. He also probes the numbers on a resume and whether an engineer can explain the system beneath the code they shipped.
More in Get Hired
Same mess. Different guest. Pick the next conversation that feels closest to your real life.