What is Amazon's bar raiser process?

The Amazon "Bar Raiser" hiring process is a unique recruiting method designed to ensure that new hires elevate the existing talent and company standards. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Origins: Initiated in 1999 during Amazon's rapid growth phase, the strategy was developed to prevent hiring based purely on the new leaders' previous experiences elsewhere, which might not align with Amazon's distinctive culture and standards.

2. Implementation: In any interview loop, a designated "Bar Raiser" who is knowledgeable about Amazon's standards and culture, but not directly associated with the hiring decision (thus neutral), is included. This Bar Raiser isn't the hiring manager or tied to HR.

3. Role and Powers: During the hiring process debriefing, the Bar Raiser leads the discussion. Importantly, they have the authority to veto hiring decisions, though this power is rarely exercised. Their main function is to ensure that all discussions and decisions adhere to Amazon’s defined leadership principles and standard hiring criteria, avoiding biases and maintaining stringent organizational standards.

4. Leadership Principles and Behavioral Interviews: By the time leadership principles were established, they were integrated into the hiring criteria alongside behavioral-based interviewing methods, ensuring a standardized process aligned with company values.

This process ensures that Amazon consistently hires personnel who not only meet the technical and professional standards but also fit well with the organizational culture and ethos 1.