Raising the bar: How Amazon hires for long-term growth and innovation

“Whenever I speak to boomerangs (i.e., Amazonians who go somewhere else and then return later) about their experience outside of Amazon, they often give different reasons for why they left. But their first and primary reason for coming back is always the same – the quality of the people elsewhere just can’t compare to the consistent excellence that Amazonians achieve across the board. That’s because we’ve succeeded in maintaining our high hiring bar, and the primary mechanism we’ve relied on to do that is our Bar Raiser Program. Other companies mimic it, and understandably so, but we’ve been adhering to the tenets of our Bar Raiser Program since the early days of the company, and the results it has unlocked are one of Amazon’s crown jewels. And of course, the Bar Raiser Program couldn’t deliver these results without the tireless efforts of more than 10,000 conscientious Bar Raisers and BRITs who manage to make the time away from their “day jobs” to contribute to the company’s ongoing success in such a meaningful and tangible way.”  

“Congratulations on 25 years of raising the bar for Amazon! I remember when this program kicked off, not long after I joined the company. Back then, we knew it was critical to help make sure we held the hiring bar really high – but of course now, as we have grown so much across geographies, business lines, and job functions, it remains just as important to our mission. Thank you all for your continued commitment to making our team the best it can be.”  

“The Bar Raiser Program has been one of the keys to our Leadership Principle of Hire and Develop the Best. I know that it has helped me to be a better interviewer and hire the right people. The training was helpful, but even more importantly, the coaching and feedback I received was invaluable. I don’t think Amazon would be the same company without such a strong commitment to hiring and finding the right future Amazonians.”  

“Thank you to everyone who has helped the Bar Raiser program grow over the past 25 years. Our ability to hire the best people is one of our greatest strengths, and it’s only possible thanks to the work of thousands of people who give their time to serve in this role. The fact that this program has lasted and grown for more than two decades shows how important it is to our culture. Being a Bar Raiser has been one of the best parts of my experience at Amazon. I always encourage more people to get involved. Not just because of what you will add to the hiring process, but also for the learnings and insights you will learn along the way.”  

"At Amazon, we seek to hire the best — employees who will make us all better and who will build and accomplish great things for customers. BRs are great interviewers, helping to bring the best out in candidates and great coaches helping to bring the best out in interviewers, hiring managers, and our recruiting partners. They are leaders in helping to guide interview teams to great outcomes for the candidate and for Amazon. That is a tall order to deliver on. I'm sometimes asked why I am a BR when it seems like there is little reward or recognition for the dedication and large effort needed to tackle such a challenge. The answer is simple: I love working with great people and there is no better way to do that than to be a part of our mechanisms which make that possible. Bar Raising is fundamentally important to the success of each and every one of us, to the success of our business and eventually, to our customers. Of course, there are many other benefits to being a BR as each of you know: you get to meet and discuss fun, interesting topics with a wide ranging, diverse set of people; you learn from candidates; you learn from fellow interviewers; and you have the privilege of seeing the people you help hire go on over the years to accomplish wonderful things. BRs are builders, after all. I've been at Amazon for over 25 years, a BR (no. 12) for very nearly as long and could not possibly be happier nor proud of both of those accomplishments. So, to all the other BRs across Amazon who know that same sense of pride, here is to you! And most of all, thank you for all that you do, day in and day out, to help us hire the best and be the best!”  

“There is nothing more important to foster customer obsession than hiring and developing the best talent. The Bar Raiser Program is one of the best mechanisms fueling our pace of innovation and is a testament to the power of diverse perspectives with data-driven decision-making for the long-term. I’ve personally learned the value of representation through the Bar Raiser Program and its importance when making key hiring decisions globally and locally. Hiring exceptional talent is mission-critical to Amazon’s culture. When I think about Striving to Be Earth’s Best Employer, it’s starts with who we hire and develop — and that is the unwavering commitment we make to our customers and employees. I’m honored to serve among this community and build the workforce of tomorrow, now.”  

“Bar Raisers directly shape the future of Amazon while simultaneously developing their own leadership skills and increasing their Amazon A to Z understanding by interacting with organizations and roles outside their own. I’ve personally grown a lot in my Amazon Leadership Principles through being a BR in ways I didn’t expect. The extra time and energy that we, as Bar Raisers, put into interviewing, educating hiring managers and interviewers, and training the next generation of Bar Raisers play a crucial role in Amazon’s ability to Hire the Best.”  

”At Amazon, we prioritize maintaining a high bar to foster a safe environment where candidates feel comfortable sharing their experiences and gaining deeper insights into our culture. As Bar Raisers, we play a vital role in Amazon's growth by upholding our standards and ensuring candidates have a positive experience. Bar Raisers are a dedicated team committed to lifting up our culture. Happy 25th Anniversary to our BR Program!”