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Using Problem-Solving Situations During Amazon Interviews

Former Amazon senior manager shares proven tips for mastering Amazon's problem-solving interview questions aligned with Leadership Principles.

If you join Amazon, you will quickly realize that everyone around you is a serial problem solver. This is by design. Besides being an organization of over-achievers, Amazon has a profoundly ingrained engineering ethos that lives in tech and non-tech organizations.

Therefore, you won’t be surprised that problem-solving is a recurring theme throughout the interview process. Amazon behavioral interview questions that ask you to share a situation where you were solving problems map to 5 out of 16 Leadership Principles. Problem-solving questions can test Dive Deep, Invent & Simplify, Are Right A Lot, Frugality, and Learn & Be Curious.

However, unless you know the nuances of the Leadership Principles, we can’t blame you for being somewhat confused about what LP is being tested in one problem-solving question or another. Another complication for candidates is that when we find ourselves in real-life problem-solving situations, we may demonstrate a range of leadership principles mixed.

We wrote this article to offer you a quick orientation around problem-solving themes in Amazon Leadership Principles and the interview questions that test them. We hope it will make it easier for you to pick the right situation during the interview and focus on the correct details to answer Amazon interview questions.

Problem-solving and Dive Deep

While Amazon's Dive Deep Leadership Principle is not only about problem-solving, some Dive Deep questions will look for evidence of your ability to solve complex problems. Of course, complexity means different things to different people. Yet, in an Amazon interview context, it typically boils down to three things.

• A problem that requires multiple levels of data analysis (peeling the data onion) to solve.
• A problem had you using numerous data sources (from either systems or people) to find a solution.
• A problem was so novel that it took a while to figure out how to approach it.

In contrast to other Leadership Principle questions that ask for problem-solving evidence, the main focus of Dive Deep is on the process of getting to the solution itself. Here, we’d recommend that you focus on establishing the source of complexity and then outline the steps you took to get to the very bottom of the problem.

Problem-solving and Invent & Simplify

At the heart of the Invent and Simplify Leadership principle at Amazon are two distinct themes: invention and simplification, as the name of the LP suggests. Problem-solving typically comes under the Simplification theme.

Under Invent and Simplify, Amazon will expect you to demonstrate how you effectively boiled complexity into simplicity while solving a problem. From our experience at Amazon, we can attest that many problems started as giant hairy monsters with unknown root causes and hidden under a sea of data (most of which was useless to the analysis).

While you should still follow a STAR format of answering Amazon Leadership Principle questions, Invent and Simplify problem-solving responses should focus on the “A-Ha!” moment that led you to invent a simple solution. The invention of a fix at the end of the problem-solving journey is the main currency of an acceptable answer. Therefore, the bulk of your story-telling should detail the innovation process rather than digging for the root cause.

Problem-solving and Are Right A Lot

Are Right; A Lot of Leadership Principle at Amazon is mainly about continuously learning from your successes and failures to always make the right decisions. So, where does problem-solving feature in this LP? Very prominently. Just think about when you need to solve a problem while operating under uncertainty or, perhaps, without having all the knowledge and expertise right away. So, being able to inform your gut on the spot by learning from people and systems around you is how you would need to approach problem-solving under Are Right A Lot.

Therefore, the currency of a good problem-solving answer to the Are Right A Lot Leadership Principle question in an Amazon interview is a series of steps of how you went about building or disconfirming (challenging) your beliefs while operating under uncertainty and needing to solve a problem.

Problem-solving and Frugality

If you’ve taken our training ( Amazon Interview Whizz ), you will remember the main themes of the Frugality Leadership Principle at Amazon. Having read the previous few sections, you won’t be surprised that Frugality situations may also have a problem-solving element.

But this time, you are operating under resource constraints and have to do with what you have. This is Frugality, defined by the official version (achieve more with less), but just in a problem-solving contest.

Hence, the currency of a decent problem-solving answer to Amazon interview questions on the Frugality Leadership Principle would be a story about how you effectively ran with what you had to solve a challenge.

Problem-solving and Learn & Be Curious

Problem-solving themes under Learn & Be Curious are similar to those under Are Right. The slight difference is in the nuances. While Are Right A Lot is about drawing on the expertise of others to inform or challenge your intuition, Learn & Be Curious is about acquiring knowledge. Both Leadership Principles make one a confident problem-solver, and you have probably demonstrated both LPs in real-life situations, possibly both simultaneously. However, in an Amazon interview situation, it would be helpful to focus your response on the details that matter for Learn & Be Curious.

Therefore, the currency of a workable answer under this Leadership Principle in an Amazon interview is a story of the steps you took to acquire expertise that you did not have to solve a problem.

We hope this article helped you understand the nuances of sharing problem-solving situations when answering Leadership Principles questions in behavioral interviews at Amazon. If you fancy taking your interview preparation to the next level, check out Amazon Interview Whizz , our signature training course. It is based on our insights from thousands of interviews, coaching sessions, and hiring decisions.

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About Amazon

Let's prepare for assessments.

Before we get into the details of assessments, take some time to learn about Amazon, get to know our business teams, and “meet” a few Amazonians.

Leadership Principles

Next, dive into our Leadership Principles. We use our Leadership Principles every day, whether we're discussing ideas for new projects or deciding on the best approach to solving a problem. It is just one of the things that makes Amazon peculiar. All candidates are evaluated based on our Leadership Principles. The best way to prepare is to consider how you’ve applied the Leadership Principles in your previous professional experience.

Customer Obsession

Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers.

Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my job".

Invent and Simplify

Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here". As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.

Are right, A Lot

Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.

Learn and Be Curious

Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them.

Hire and Develop the Best

Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice.

Insist on the Highest Standards

Leaders have relentlessly high standards - many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and driving their teams to deliver high quality products, services and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.

Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.

Bias for Action

Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.

Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size or fixed expense.

Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odor smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best.

Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them.

Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit

Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

Deliver Results

Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle.

Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer

​Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what’s next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees’ personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere.

Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility

​We started in a garage, but we’re not there anymore. We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day. We must begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them.

About assessments

At Amazon, one of our highest priorities is hiring and developing the best, and we work hard to raise the performance bar with every hire. Amazon uses online assessments as one way to help us get to know you better, and we design them to measure key characteristics required for success in a role. Assessments also allow us to assess applicants consistently and equitably, as every individual is provided with the same experience and information needed to complete the assessment. Depending on the position, we may ask you to take an assessment during the application process or send it to you separately after you’ve applied. The type and number of assessments will depend on the role you apply for and in some cases, must be completed within a certain timeframe. The two common types of assessments are work style assessments and work sample simulations.

WORK STYLE ASSESSMENT

These assessments are centered around Amazon’s peculiar culture and Leadership Principles, and typically take 10-20 minutes to complete. In these assessments, we ask you to choose the extent to which a statement represents your work style. For instance, we may ask you which of the two statements "I like for things to be clearly structured,” or “I look forward to the opportunity to learn new things," best describes you.

WORK SAMPLE SIMULATION

These assessments ask you to complete virtual tasks related to a specific position and typically take 20 minutes - one hour to complete. They may ask you to make decisions based on our Leadership Principles, complete activities critical to success at Amazon, and demonstrate your problem-solving, prioritization, and interpersonal abilities. Depending on the role you are applying for, the assessment may ask you to interpret data from a chart, answer a customer question, choose how to resolve an issue, multitask, or find the right information from multiple sources.

• For any Software Development Engineer I & II applicants we recommend reviewing our Software Development Topics to help you prepare for technical evaluations and interviews. For all other roles, no advance preparation is required to complete the assessment(s). Just be yourself and do your best.
• Some questions may ask about your work style. Try not to overthink them or spend too much time on any one question. We want to get to know the authentic you, as there are many types of successful people at Amazon.
• Before starting your assessment, read any information provided carefully since things like timing, deadlines, and assessment types can vary depending on the team.

The formalities

• Most assessments are conducted virtually unless administered as part of a hiring event or on-site interview day.
• During your assessment, be in a quiet and comfortable place with no distractions.
• Review provided instructions carefully, as some assessments must be completed by a particular date. If an assessment deadline is missed, we’re unable to grant extensions. Many assessments are also timed, so be sure to set aside an appropriate amount of time.
• All assessments require the internet, have a computer with a reliable connection and access to email. You will be notified of any additional technical requirements in advance.
• If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation , such as an ASL interpreter or a different interview format, or if you have physical accessibility needs, please reach out to us as we are committed to making reasonable provisions for all individuals.
• Technical assistance is available for all assessments should you experience a disruption that you cannot resolve (e.g. assessment freezes or crashes). If an issue occurs, use the contact information provided in the assessment.
• We take your data privacy very seriously. To learn about how we store your results review our privacy policy.
• All assessments must be completed solely by the applicant.

Amazon supports pay equity. We will not consider a candidate’s current or historical compensation when determining whether to offer employment or in determining any aspect of offer compensation for any candidate or role located in the United States.

After assessments

• In most cases, you will be notified via email if we’re moving forward with your application. You can also check your status any time in our application portal.
• After you complete the assessment, certain roles may require you to participate in a phone/virtual interview, or come on-site for an in-person interview, which allows us to dive deeper into your skills and experience to learn even more about you. To help prepare, explore our prep guides for phone and in-person interviews.

Have more questions?

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The hardest interview question this Amazon VP asks—and how to answer it

Amazon is one of the most sought-after companies people want to work for — but to nab a job at the online retailer, you'll have to pass its notoriously rigorous interview process. 

Though you might come across some classic interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" Amazon recruiters will often throw in trickier prompts to better assess your work style and problem-solving skills. 

One question always trips up job candidates, says Jay Shankar, the vice president of global talent acquisition at Amazon Web Services — but if you answer it well, you will make a lasting impression.

"What is the most innovative thing you have ever done?"

Shankar asks this question to assess how well a candidate fits one of Amazon's core leadership principles , "Invent and Simplify." 

According to Amazon's website: "Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by 'not invented here.' As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time."

If you're interested in working for Amazon, it's "super important" to study the company's leadership principles, says Shankar, as hiring managers use them to assess candidates throughout the interview process. 

"We really want to see that the experience a candidate brings to the table really aligns with our leadership principles, like ownership, frugality and being curious, because those are really the foundation of who we are as a company," DJ Cabeen, a recruiting manager at Amazon, previously told CNBC Make It . 

You don't have to be "inventing" things to prove you're innovative, Shankar clarifies. Making a process more efficient, leading a project at work outside of your usual responsibilities, coming up with a creative solution to a problem or taking a new approach to a familiar task are all powerful examples of innovation.

When Shankar asks a candidate to speak to this principle, she's looking for examples that show the candidate is curious and creative in thinking of solutions. Your response to this question should be clear, and succinct, explain the problem you solved and the positive impact it had on the business or customers you were serving. 

"Amazon is always looking for builders, people who come in with interesting ideas and will try to improve things," says Shankar. "You should be able to talk about not just your most recent role and the specific responsibilities you had, but also how you're continually challenging yourself, and staying curious about the work you do." 

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Here Are The 27 Problem-Solving Products Amazon Customers Are Loving Most Right Now

2021 is all about making things easier on yourself.

BuzzFeed Contributor

Ever wonder what other Amazon shoppers are currently obsessing over? Amazon has a section featuring products customers are ~loving most~ this week! Here are some of the coolest and most useful things that are worth checking out:

Plus, did you know that Amazon's app has exclusive features that lets you scan barcodes to check prices IRL, use your phone’s camera to search for items with a ~single tap~, track orders in real time, and more? Download it here for free and receive $5 off your first in-app purchase.

1. An OXO dishwasher-safe easy-to-grip peeler I use multiple times a day to get the skins off even hard-to-peel stuff like tomatoes in a jiffy. Also, the ergonomic design makes it much easier to use, which I appreciate because I have some mobility issues that would normally make peeling stuff impossible.

My partner and I already had to peel all of our produce because of sensitivity to fungi and certain chemicals they use in making food wax (looking at you, propylene glycol). Then, after an injury, I couldn't grip the old-style metal peeler anymore, so I gave this one a try. Not only can I actually use it (a huge plus in itself!), it's also makes it possible to skin a kiwi without turning it into a mess of cute green mush. I honestly never thought I'd have such strong opinions about a peeler, but here we are.

Promising review: "Very easy to use peeler works that better than most other handheld ones I've tried. Has lasted over a year without any issues or problems or blades dulling." — Jojo

Price: $9.99

2. A jewelry cleaner reviewers swear really works to make their jewelry sparkle like it was professionally cleaned.

Promising review: "I'm paranoid of getting my ring cleaned at a jewelry store at some strip mall or the like. Eight dollars and problem solved! There was actually a visible difference in the shine and luster of the diamonds." — Janett

Price: $4.99+ (available alone and with three different accessories)

3. An extra-large zester that's way easier to use than smaller zesters or a box grater, to help you save money when you don't have to buy pre-grated stuff anymore. AND you'll be able to grate more, faster, and with less waste.

Yep, it's dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "So much better than my old one. I’ve got a picture of one lemon zested side by side from each zester and the difference is shocking! The Deiss-grated lemon is on the top, and the lemon grated by my old peeler is at the bottom. I just made a lemon blueberry cheesecake for my mom’s birthday. With this new zester, it took about one minute to get all the zest I needed for it. The last time I made this cake with my old one, it was about 30 minutes and cramping arms and just yelling and giving up. This is going to be a major game-changer with our meals." — Colorado Girl 82

Price: $10.98

4. A small and mighty cordless handheld Bissell vacuum for pet hair because you've tried everything but the first thing people say looking at your sofa is still, "does a dog live here?"

"Oh wow, this is comfy !" "I love the color!" "Velvet is so on-point right now, great choice!" This is a sampling of the many things you'll now get to discuss instead. You're welcome!

OK but in all honesty, you never know what allergies folks are gonna have when they come over. I've slept on my fair share of couches, and as much as I appreciate my chosen family's generosity, it's just the worst sneezing all night and then getting hair on all my stuff and inside of my car. And, so, I also know how hard it is to get pet hair out of upholstery. Reviewers say this really works. Try it!

Promising review: "Super powerful, with a motorized brush head. Picks up everything off my couch. I have two dogs and was constantly struggling with pet hair on my furniture. This vacuum solved the problem completely. Worth every penny spent!" — Amazon customer

Price: $69.99+ (available in two styles)

5. An OXO avocado slicing tool perfect for green fruit fanatics that's way safer and more comfortable than trying to use a knife, all for less than the cost of ordering avocado toast at brunch.

The going rate for avocado toast in my neighborhood is $17. You're gonna save up that down payment in no time.

Promising review: "I love this little kitchen tool! I always had anxiety pulling the avocado pit out with a knife and this solves it. The pit claw works great and you'll definitely want this if you eat a lot of avocado." — Randee C.

6. A reparative Opalex Bond Maintenance conditioner for those of you who want to add strength to your hair but need to avoid sulfates, propylene glycol, gluten, nuts, and sulfates. It's also PH-balanced, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and vegan.

Folks with all kinds of hair types are big fans and say it works for them. Despite the many other omissions, is not fragrance-free.

Promising review: "I’ve always had a problem with my scalp being too oily and my ends being too dry. The Olapex shampoo and conditioner have been the only combo I’ve ever found that has resolved both problems. I typically pick mine up from Sephora but I grabbed them on Amazon a bit cheaper. This stuff is amazing and worth every penny." — Amazon customer

Price: $28+ (available with or without shampoo)

7. A handheld, backlit, and waterproof battery-operated meat thermometer so you can finally know for sure when your meat's done even if your barbeque is nowhere near a power outlet. It's also got a magnet on the back for easy storage.

Promising review: "I really like this food thermometer as it works quickly. It has the average food temperatures on it so that you can review the meat/food you are cooking vs the standard temps. The reason this is important to me is I am color blind, I can't tell doneness by color. This solves this problem for me, it is easy to use and quickly returns the temperature so I can get the food out on time. I think this is a great value, and worth every penny. If you are looking for a digital thermometer I think this is the one for you." — Panther

Price: $15.97

8. A set of 24 locking lid airtight plastic containers to transform your bulk item-filled pantry into a Marie Kondo dreamscape.

Well-organized dried fruits and beans spark joy.

This comes with six extra-large containers (11.83 cups /2.8 liters), six large containers (8.45 cups /2.0 liters), six medium containers (5.92 cups /1.4 liter), and six small containers (3.38 cups /0.8 liters).

Promising review: "Perfect, durable, and have a tight lid lock. I eat the keto way and many of the products are sold in bags. These food storage containers solve the whole problem of messy storage. My pantry is neat and tidy now!" — D Clark

Price: $69.97

9. An egg cooker that'll make a dozen absolutely perfect, easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs and is so much easier than trying to use a pot of boiling water.

I have one of these and it really is easy to use and way better than doing it on the stove (my grandma showed me how dozens of times but I could still never get the timing right).

Promising review: "I love hard-boiled eggs but hate the hassle of actually boiling and peeling them. This great cooker solves both problems. It allows me to cook the eggs automatically and with their piercing method I no longer have any issues peeling the eggs. I just add 4 ounces of distilled water to the reservoir, add 12 pierced eggs, and 20 minutes later the cooker issues a musical alert and shuts off. After cooling the eggs down in ice water they are quite easy to peel. This small egg cooker has become an essential item in our kitchen and I never want to go back to the old method of hard boiling eggs. I highly recommend the Dash Deluxe Rapid Egg Cooker." — Tectron

Price: $29.99+ (available in six colors)

10. A concealer that's also a color-corrector and for serious coverage without getting cakey.

Promising review: "This product stands up to all the reviews! I have dark rings around my eyes. So much so people ask if I am tired all the time. I have tried endless concealers, used foundation tricks, even the red lipstick trend under the eye. Everything always ended up looking caked on or emphasizing the rings even more. I purchased this and it didn't feel like it was becoming caked onto my face with additional layers. It does have a silky feeling versus what you might be used to with other concealers, but doesn't lack coverage because of it. I recommend anyone adding this concealer to your makeup collection." — Angelique

Price: $6.99 or Subscribe & Save for $6.64 (available in 18 colors)

11. An air fryer with two baskets so you can finally cook two different courses at the same time in everybody's favorite kitchen appliance.

Promising review: "I own the one-basket Ninja already, but immediately saw the issue of preparing different courses of meats and veggies. Different foods take different times and temps so you have to figure out how to get everything hot at the same time. This dual basket solves that. Highly recommend, I give it an A+." — Jilly Bean

Price: $179.99

12. An OXO veggie brush with stiff and sturdy bristles that lets you clean your produce better and in a fraction of the time.

Promising review: "I guess the first thing I would mention is that it hasn't fallen apart. No bristles that I have to pick off my food. This is a common problem I have with most types of brushes. And I'm not a patient person, and so I am not gentle with vegetable cleaning. That alone would be worth three stars in my mind. However, I also find that it has gotten the balance of bristle stiffness just right. The bristles remove dirt efficiently with very little scrubbing, but they aren't so stiff that they damage the food. Even on vegetables with thin skin the bristles clean without tearing through. The other thing that really pushes this review up for me, is that the brush seems to be very stain resistant. I like this because it means I can leave the brush on the counter near my sink without it looking ugly and old. Really I've found no problems with this product and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a solid vegetable brush." — Jeff C

Price: $5.99

13. A portable propane-powered campfire with a cover and carry kit so you can spark up some woodsy coziness with no wood required.

It's been 20-odd years of trying and I still can't build a campfire. Naturally, I love this.

Promising review: "Love mine. I travel in an RV for work all over the US. Not everywhere allows campfires. This solves the problem for nice relaxing night outside." — Amazon customer

Price: $139.99

14. A best-selling jar opener you mount under a cabinet so opening pickles doesn't have to be a test of strength anymore. Reviewers with arthritic hands swear by it. And this one has metal teeth for extra lid-holding power.

Promising review: " Getting older, wrists are painful, opening jars used to hurt, this solved the challenges my wife and I were having. She recently had shoulder surgery and needed a container opening aid, I bought this because it has metal teeth instead of plastic, good choice it turns out. This item is a must-have from now on, I have recommended it to many friends and will continue to do so. Mounting was easy with the supplied tape as it held the opener in place while I set the attachment screws." — Steve O

Price: $14.95

15. An ice roller reviewers with TMJ and migraines deploy for well-deserved and instantaneous relief.

Promising review : "This is super stress-relieving. The material is nice and it rolls smoothly. It feels super nice if you simply are stressed or have a headache , and it helps to reduce swelling." — Lee

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in eight colors).

16. A spiralizer whose remarkable skill at noodling everything is even better than airplane sounds to get your persnickety wee ones to eat their veggies.

Promising review: "This spiralizer has solved the problem of grandchildren not eating vegetables. They love curly zucchini, curly yams, spiralized cucumbers; veggies are fun! Grandma loves the easy setup, easy blade change, easy cleanup. Thanks Spiralizer!" — Rabbit Lee

Price: $22.97

17. A suction cup-mounted clear acrylic bird feeder that uses a flat tray instead of a gravity-fed system, so it never jams.

Promising review: "I really love this feeder. I had the other one where the seeds were supposed to slide down and they were always getting stuck. This feeder really solves that problem. I have two right next to each other and I even get doves in mine sometimes." — Love&Wishes

Price: $27.95

18. A pizza cutter wheel that comes apart so you don't have to spend so much time at the kitchen sink trying to find better ways to scrub greasy marinara chunks out from behind the blade.

I have eaten more gluten-free pizzas than I care to admit (shout out to the Melrose Ave. Lucifer's, the only reason I'd ever move back to LA). I also have a sensory aversion to all things wet and slimy (thanks autism!), and rarely have access to a dishwasher. So I am very familiar with the dreaded task of getting all the pizza detritus off a normal pizza cutter, and how it can totally ruin the lazy fun of having a pie delivered in the first place. This come-apart cutter is a total gamechanger!

Promising reviews: "Much safer than a scary pizza rocker, easier to clean than a pizza cutter, faster than a regular knife which would dull faster, and just good modular build quality." — Amazon customer

Price: $12.95+ (available in three colors)

19. A super-slim wallet/money clip made of light carbon fiber or aluminum perfect for carrying around front, for all y'all who find bulky back pockets a real ~pain in the butt~. Reviewers say its tight safekeeping of their cards prevents chips and strips from getting damaged.

Promising review: "So far so good, and I carry 14 cards and some money. I kept having bad magnetic and chips on my credit cards until I got this. So far no bad chips on credit cards with the Bulliant. Cards are tight. The money clip works great as well. Best thing is your not sitting on your wallet! " — SandBear

Price: $24.99 (available in five colors)

20. A combination toaster oven and air fryer and dehydrator that'll finally cook your food as fast as your impatient stomach thinks you should. And it folds up vertically to take up less counter real estate when you're not using it.

Not for fans of endlessly pacing in front of the oven waiting just to put your food in.

Promising review: "This oven is great. It can toast nine pieces of bread all at one time. It folds up out of the way when not in use so only takes up a little bit more space than a two-slice bread toaster when it's folded up. I can cook a frozen party pizza in less than 11 minutes total including preheat time. I have eaten my crispy perfectly cooked party pizza by the time my partner preheats our gas oven to cook their party pizza. If you have little kids who can't wait to eat when they're hungry, this solves the problem. If you like to beat your partner at cooking (at least time wise) a frozen pizza, then this is the oven for you!" — TNagz

Price: $209.99

21. An utterly adorable cotton baby hat with neck protection reviewers swear by because it seems pretty comfy, actually stays on, and will keep your darling little one safe from the sun.

Promising review: "I love this hat! I have a hard time finding hats that my baby will keep on his head but he definitely enjoys this one! I do too, the fabric is so soft, and it is adjustable it could fit him for at least another year! So worth the money just with that alone. I love the UV-protective flap in the back it protects his neck from the hot Arizona sun!" — Satava

Price: $14.99 (available in two sizes and eight colors)

22. An expanding makeup container with serious storage capacity so you don't have to worry about leaving any of your cosmetics behind when you go on trips — it's big enough to take it all!

Reviewers also love that it locks.

Promising review: "I love this. It’s very sturdy and I love that it has a hard case! It also has a mirror which is handy for while traveling. It folds in and out smoothly. It has tons of storage space. It also comes with this square holder thingy I’m assuming it’s for makeup brushes and it’s really neat because it can close and the brushes fit fine inside when it’s closed. I love all of the areas to put makeup. I can’t wait to use this when I go on vacation I will finally have something to fit all of my makeup for vacations. I will probably be buying more for gifts!" — Amazon customer

Price: $32.94+ (available in two colors)

23. A folding chair with a roof so you can be made in the shade even on a sunny afternoon.

Promising review: "This was one of the best products. I took it with me for the 2017 eclipse. It was a very hot day in Georgia. This chair was a life saver. It was just like sitting in the shade. As the day progressed and some older ladies tired from the heat I allowed them to use my chair and both ladies said it was a blessing. I also allowed a small child who was overheating to use the chair. The chair was such a big hit. People started asking how much would I charge for 15 minutes in the chair. The chair is light and portable. It is easy to set up and take down. I love this chair." — Amazon customer

Price: $34.40

24. A hamburger press that solves the problem of inconsistent patties and takes less time than hand-forming too. It makes 4.5-inch patties weighing about a half-pound, every time.

It's not dishwasher safe, but is easy to clean.

Promising review: "We eat A LOT of ground venison/hamburger in our house due to my spouse being an avid hunter, so I am constantly making patties and could never get them just right. This hamburger press has solved the problem. It is well worth the money and I plan to buy some for family members for Christmas." — Amazon customer

Price: $19.99

25. A fragrance-free vitamin B5 balm reviewers swear by to alleviate allergic reactions, eczema, chapped skin, perioral dermatitis, and other goals with unmatched aplomb.

Promising review: "I had a terrible allergic reaction to tea tree oil about two weeks ago. Tiny bumps all over my face along with bunches of breakouts and my normally oily skin was so dry the strongest moisturizers I had wouldn’t keep it moisturized for long. I tried this stuff and OVERNIGHT basically all the bumps and my breakouts are gone. I have incredibly sensitive skin (clearly) and this stuff feels so soothing on my face and leaves it looking bright. I can’t speak more highly of this product. I will probably continue using it as a regular daily moisturizer even after my skin goes back to normal because it feels so smooth and I bet it would make a great base for makeup. HIGHLY recommend to anyone with sensitive, combination skin. And I’m acne prone and this stuff doesn’t break me out. Love it!" — SH

Price: $14.99

26. A set of sandwich cutters that're a huge relief for everyone who's ever encountered a tantrum over PB&J crusts. And it's way cheaper than buying Uncrustables (less wasteful, too!).

Like the reviewer's kid I also have food sensitivities (I only ate orange foods until I was five and have loosened up on that barely at all thirty years later, for example). Little things like this make a big difference for folks like us.

Promising review: "A lunch game-changer! My son is autistic and getting him to eat is like pulling teeth. He loved his star sandwich and loved playing with the cutters. Added bonus that I didn’t see cane with cute joke cards to slide into a lunch box. Very well-made product and am very happy to make lunch fun for the kids!" — Jessica

Price: $21.96

27. A dual sandwich maker perfect for anyone who loves deli BECs but needs to avoid cross-contamination.

So I've got a terrible gluten issue and my partner is scary-allergic to shellfish, meaning almost every deli is unsafe for one or both of us. With this product, we can make safe bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches for each of us, at the same time!

All removable parts are dishwasher safe and you can always use it to make just one sandwich.

Promising review: "Since receiving this, I have made a breakfast sandwich every day (for a couple of months now) and I LOVE it! My kids have opted for a healthy breakfast sandwich over their usual choice of sugary cereals much of the time, so that’s a huge plus. SO much better tasting than the (albeit convenient) pre-made frozen ones you pop in the microwave. You control the ingredients and it takes literally five minutes to produce the breakfast sandwich of your choice from start to finish. The clean up is a breeze, usually an easy wipe down is all that’s needed. No cap, super easy." — Amazon customer

Price: $39.99

Problems solved!

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Make your life even tidier. Check out the best all-natural cleaning products for your home, the best bathroom cleaning products , organization products perfect for neat freaks, and, of course, our ultimate guide to cleaning every single room in your house.

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Amazon is finally realizing it has a labor problem

What jeff bezos’ final letter to shareholders reveals about the company.

By Casey Newton , a contributing editor who has been writing about tech for over 10 years. He founded Platformer, a newsletter about Big Tech and democracy.

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Today, let’s talk about the new tone Jeff Bezos is taking when talking about Amazon — and whether we can expect it to have any practical effect on the company after he turns over the CEO job to his successor, Andy Jassy .

A recurring theme in this column is Amazon’s general indifference to public perception. Last month, it picked a losing fight with Congress over the unionization efforts at its Bessemer, Alabama fulfillment center. A year ago, The Wall Street Journal revealed that the company had lied to lawmakers about whether it used data from third-party sellers to inform product development. A couple years before that, it conducted a sham search for a second “headquarters” that angered politicians around the country.

The company has seen record growth every year since anyways, and it was the most-liked of all big tech companies even before the pandemic made people more depend on it. (Amazon picked up 50 million new Prime subscribers in 2020, an increase of about one-third in just 12 months.)

Given Amazon’s tendency to dismiss most criticism, you might have expected Bezos’ last letter to shareholders to resemble an extended victory lap. Certainly it would be warranted: Amazon is one of the most extraordinary businesses ever built.

But that’s not really Bezos’ style. His religious devotion to “ Day 1 ” — the idea that businesses ought to remain as paranoid and action-oriented as they were when they first born, lest they be defeated by entropy — precludes that sort of long walk into the sunset.

And so perhaps we should not be too surprised that he took labor issues at the company head on. Sure, Bezos has mentioned them before — his letter last year also devoted many paragraphs to Amazon’s support for the $15 minimum wage, re-training workers, and so on — but I’m not sure he has ever confronted critics quite so directly. Bezos writes:

Does your Chair take comfort in the outcome of the recent union vote in Bessemer? No, he doesn’t. I think we need to do a better job for our employees. While the voting results were lopsided and our direct relationship with employees is strong, it’s clear to me that we need a better vision for how we create value for employees – a vision for their success. If you read some of the news reports, you might think we have no care for employees. In those reports, our employees are sometimes accused of being desperate souls and treated as robots. That’s not accurate. They’re sophisticated and thoughtful people who have options for where to work. When we survey fulfillment center employees, 94% say they would recommend Amazon to a friend as a place to work.

Bezos knows that there will be more efforts to unionize in Amazon fulfillment centers, and future ones might not be quite so easy to defeat. And so he sets two enormous goals for the Amazon of the future. The company should be “Earth’s Best Employer,” he writes, and “Earth’s Safest Place to Work.” And he plans to work on these projects personally:

In my upcoming role as Executive Chair, I’m going to focus on new initiatives. I’m an inventor. It’s what I enjoy the most and what I do best. It’s where I create the most value. I’m excited to work alongside the large team of passionate people we have in Ops and help invent in this arena of Earth’s Best Employer and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. On the details, we at Amazon are always flexible, but on matters of vision we are stubborn and relentless. We have never failed when we set our minds to something, and we’re not going to fail at this either.

Is it just me, or does this sound like a man who has at long last gotten the message?

It has taken long enough. Pushback on the company’s claims of being a friend to the working man has come from all corners, from Republican Sen. Marco Rubio to Democrats like President Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. And despite Bezos’ note that 94 percent of employees say they would recommend Amazon as a good place to work, it’s the company’s own workers who keep bringing disturbing information about their job sites to light. (I’m still trying to unsee the photos of pee bottles that workers used in the absence of bathroom breaks that they submitted to Vice .)

Over the past year, workers have filed at least 37 complaints to the National Labor Relations Board alleging interference with workers’ right to organize, more than triple the total in the previous year. Amazon mounted an anti-union campaign that included, among other things, firing organizers on flimsy pretexts .

If workers were as happy at Amazon as Bezos says they are, you wonder why all of that was necessary. And maybe — finally — he does, too.

There are technological ways of improving Amazon as a workplace, he says. The company can rotate workers who perform repetitive tasks to lessen the strain on their bodies, for example, using “sophisticated algorithms.” It will spend $66 million “to create technology that will help prevent collisions of forklifts.” It will invent more things like this under Bezos in his new role.

No tech giant deserves much credit for announcing a simple intention to do better. Amazon’s business requires punishing physical labor, along with ruthlessly seeking new efficiencies that chip away at workers’ dignity. The company is also leading the way in the use of automation technologies that will make those same workers’ jobs ever more precarious. It’s hard to even imagine how such a system could come to be seen as “Earth’s Best Employer,” no matter how good Amazon’s forklift management software someday becomes.

But part of the unusual power that founder-led tech giants have is the way their creators can marshal internal goodwill, along with their limitless finances, to make investments that others won’t.

Bezos’ promise to become “Earth’s Best Employer” is on some level insane, because it immediately becomes a cudgel with which lawmakers, the press, and the public can beat Amazon every time another labor issue is discovered. (I predict “Earth’s Best Employer” will become to Amazon what “don’t be evil” became for Google, or “move fast and break things” became for Facebook: a mission statement that ultimately became more useful to critics than it did to the company itself.)

The thing is, though, that Bezos is smart. Like, world-historically smart. He knows that he is setting the bar far above where it sits today, and he knows that he is going to be held accountable to it. Bezos’ version of the world’s best employer likely looks a lot different than mine, but I also imagine that it could lead to higher wages, safer working conditions, and better job training programs, at least for the workers who aren’t replaced by robots. Hopefully it will lead to less union-busting and bottle-peeing as well.

In the days after the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal, Facebook executives looked as tone deaf as Amazon has lately in response to its labor issues. Eventually, though, they realized their tone had to change — and their business practices had to as well. We can argue about how effective the 30,000 people hired to shore up the platform’s security have been, but it’s undeniable that Facebook transformed its approach to integrity between late 2016 and today. And it all started with a belated acknowledgement that the company had a problem.

Maybe the cursed @AmazonNews account will snipe at another member of Congress tomorrow in the coming days, and all of the above will seem moot. Or maybe Amazon has truly internalized that the time has come to shut up and listen.

For now, it sure seems like Jeff Bezos is. And I can’t say I saw that one coming.

This column was co-published with  Platformer , a daily newsletter about Big Tech and democracy.

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These Amazon bestsellers are filled with problem-solving fashion, home and beauty finds — starting at $7

Now that we're officially in the spring season , you might be itching to do a wardrobe refresh, some seasonal cleaning or even just upgrade your everyday go-to items. That's why we turned to Amazon to see what shoppers have been obsessing over for the month of March.

From a universal shoe cleaner to bra improvement hacks, Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach stopped by TODAY to highlight some of the Amazon bestselling finds for spring that shoppers are currently loving.

Keep reading to check out all the problem-solving fashion, beauty and home hacks that you'll need this season — starting at $7.

Seen on TODAY | More Amazon bestsellers | How we chose

March Amazon bestsellers seen on TODAY

Phlstyle bra strap clips and extenders.

Bra Strap Clips and Extenders

If you have bras that feel a little tight, need additional support or have visible straps while wearing racerback tanks, Brach says this set has everything you need to upgrade your bras and make them "fit perfectly again."

The kit comes with bra band extenders that hook on to your existing bra, as well as clips that hold straps together to create a racerback-style bra back. It also features strap holders for additional lift and support.

Editor's note: The product above is currently unavailable but we found similar options below that you may like.

W-Plus Bra Strap Clips and Strap Extender

Bra Strap Clips and Strap Extender

This affordable 12-piece set comes with strap holders to help hide straps and offer additional support, as well as strap extenders — all in neutral colors.

W-Plus Bra Band Extender

The same brand offers band extenders to help add a little more room if your bras are feeling a little snug. Grab the pack for only $6!

Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner Essential Kit

Shoe Cleaner Essential Kit

Brach swears by this shoe cleaning product and says it only takes a few minutes to make your go-to sneakers and boots look new again. She also says it's easy to use; you just wet the brush in the solution and scrub clean for instant results! Also the brand notes it can be used for every type of material and color, too. You can apply it on leather, suede, canvas, vinyl, rubber, cotton — and it has enough solution to clean up to 100 sneakers!

Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel

Odor Removing Gel

If you have unpleasant smells around the house, Brach says she is obsessed with this odor removing gel. She puts a jar in the bathroom and baby room, and you can even place it in the car. The gel is made of natural ingredients like pine needle and clove, and it absorbs odor and leaves a clean and fresh smell. Plus, the brand mentions each jar can last up to 60 days and offers refill packs.

Active Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler (Pack of 24)

Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler (Pack of 24)

According to experts , you need to clean your washing machine! They've previously told Shop TODAY that it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can cause unwanted smells that transfer on to your clothing. These cleaning tablets help descale your washing machine; just toss one into your drum and run a hot water cycle, says the brand. And you get a pack of 24!

I Dew Care Dry Shampoo Powder

Dry Shampoo Powder

Brach says she loves a dry shampoo for busy mornings. This powder from the Korean beauty brand I Dew Care has over 4,000 Amazon ratings and comes in a travel size jar that you can even bring on a plane. To use, Brach says you just tap it on your scalp and it'll soak up excess oil and leave your hair feeling revived and voluminous — no spray necessary!

More Amazon bestsellers to shop

Cleaning gel for car.

Clean nooks and crannies with this convenient gel.

This bestselling cleaning gel gets into those nooks and crannies of your car, like air events, console, door handles and more hard-to-reach spots. According to the brand, the gel is designed to pick up dust and debris, and can be used multiple times until the putty turns black.

Telena Belt Bag

Belt bags have been having a moment for their functionality and ability to be worn with anything in your closet. This affordable option comes in tons of colors and patterns and is under $10. While it may look small, it has two interior pockets to store your essentials and keep you organized.

Qinlianf USB Wall Charger

USB Wall Charger

This bestselling surge protector has over 50,000 five star ratings on Amazon. The compact wall plug has a spot for five AC outlets, three USB plugs and USB-C. It's a great option to maximize the plugs in your home, while keeping the cords tidy.

SneakERASERS Instant Sole and Sneaker Cleaner

Keep your white shoes looking brand new with these sneaker eraser pads. According to the brand, you just add water and gently scrub the soles of your shoes with the white side, and flip to the orange to wipe away any marks.

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker

From meal prep to party prep, this egg cooker can cook up to six hard or soft boiled eggs in minutes, says the brand. It has nearly 100,000 five star reviews on Amazon, with reviewers saying it's saved them much-needed cooking time.

The Gym People Longline Sports Bra

This sports bra offers full-coverage and is long enough to wear alone to your favorite workouts. According to the brand, it offers support for low, medium and high impact activities, and comes in over 25 shades.

PrettyGarden Long Romper Jumpsuit

This jumpsuit is loved my shoppers, staffers and flight attendants. That might be because everyone raves about it's comfortability while looking stylish, making it a great option for travel. It comes in over 30 colorways, so you might want to grab two!

How we chose

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think  TODAY.com  readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.  Learn more about Shop TODAY .

Shannon Garlin is an Associate Editor for Shop TODAY.