When I first joined Amazon, I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having spent a decade working in digital media, it was my first time working for a tech company—and my first time working for a company of this size.
Amazon employs more than 75,000 people in the UK alone, creating an immensely rich and diverse work culture, full of peculiarities and quirky ways of working. I’ve been part of Amazon for half a year but am still coming across new experiences every week.
With that in mind, my colleagues and I decided it would be helpful to put together a list of things we wish we had known before working at Amazon.
Things that might surprise you about working at Amazon
1. Amazon has its own unique language
On my first day, my manager sent me a link to ‘Acronym Central,’ an internal document that lists the thousands (literally) of acronyms used throughout the organisation. Did you know BWP stands for ‘Buy With Prime?’ Or that AHOD means ‘all hands on deck?’
Of course, no one’s expected to learn all of them—but even mastering a handful can feel like learning a new language—and the long list is a testament to Amazonians’ unshakable commitment to efficiency.
2. You’ll use Microsoft Word—a lot
My colleagues and I hadn’t used Microsoft Word in a long time before joining Amazon—and it took time to adjust to using it so frequently. On my team and the teams I work with, documents are drafted in Word and passed on to colleagues for review. These colleagues leave feedback within the document and return it to the author who will action this. This process repeats until we’re all happy with the content.
This way of working might seem old fashioned at first—particularly to those used to real-time editing—but it’s a deeply embedded practice at Amazon and is surprisingly efficient once you get into the rhythm of it.
3. ‘Reading time’ in meetings makes things more efficient
At the beginning of meetings, we have a set amount of ‘reading time,’ where we turn off our cameras and microphones and read through relevant material before launching into discussion. Reading time can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, or sometimes even more.
My colleague told me she had been setting aside chunks of her day to read materials before meetings, only to discover this wasn't necessary. The designated reading time ensures meetings don't encroach on our regular schedules and are confined to the set time. It was one of those brilliantly simple ideas that made me think: 'That just makes perfect sense.'
4. Amazon’s Leadership Principles play a pivotal role in how we work
Company values are something many businesses see as a nice-to-have but rarely put into action. But at Amazon, you can see the Leadership Principles in play every day. From the artwork adorning the office walls to the way teams function and colleagues communicate.
The day-to-day Amazon employee experience
5. Amazon’s offices are top tier—and so is the free coffee
My team sits in LHR16, Amazon’s largest corporate office in the UK, right in the heart of central London—and it’s spectacular. With meditation rooms, rooftop gardens, and panoramic views of the city, the 15-storey workspace is mightily impressive. And, as a bonus, Amazonians get a free barista-made coffee every day from any one of the in-house cafés.
Since joining, I’ve realised that Amazon’s corporate offices are pretty cushy across the board—from London to Manchester, to Seattle and New York.
6. The office is always buzzing with activity
There are regular pop-ups and activities in the office—ranging from fun giveaways, like promotional booths handing out free Häagen-Dazs ice cream and Tropicana, to meaningful events like the Pride party hosted by Glamazon (our LGBTQ+ network), and market stalls supporting small businesses from around the world.
7. There’s a Slack channel for everything
Amazon’s Slack is a beast—the largest channel I've found has more than 1 million members.
Since joining, I’ve discovered a ton of fun and useful other channels. When I’m not lurking in ‘for-sale-London,’ trying to bag cheap electronics or second-hand furniture, I’m watching ‘freefood-LHR16’ and hoping to pounce on the free Krispy Kremes left outside a conference room downstairs. There are also book clubs, running clubs, home rental groups, and so much more for new joiners to get stuck into.
Advice for future Amazon employees
8. Onboarding is incredibly thorough
Some companies give you a day-one presentation and then you’re left to figure everything out alone. At Amazon, the onboarding process takes place over the course of several weeks—sometimes months—with online learning modules and training videos ensuring you’re fully equipped to make the most of your time here.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed by trying to learn everything at once, you'll benefit from a structured journey that gradually deepens your knowledge—and don’t worry, everyone is incredibly friendly and will be happy to answer questions along the way.
9. Throw yourself into it
In your first months on the job, you'll meet loads of new people from different backgrounds and departments, and you'll be immersed in a work culture probably unlike any you've experienced before. The best advice I can give? Throw yourself into it and enjoy it. Meet as many people as you can, learn from them, get involved in activities, and embrace your journey with Amazon.
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