6-Week Intensive Amazon L6/L7 Interview Preparation Plan¶

Professional-Friendly Intensive Preparation

This 6-week plan is designed for working professionals with confirmed interview dates. It requires 12-15 hours per week with flexible scheduling options. Choose between full-time (15 hours/week) and part-time (10-12 hours/week) tracks based on your availability. If you need more preparation time or lighter commitment, consider the 12-week comprehensive plan.

🎯 Plan Overview & Success Metrics¶

Target Allocation Options¶

Full-Time Track (15 hours/week)¶

System Design: 30% (4.5 hours) - Core technical preparation
Behavioral: 35% (5.25 hours) - Leadership stories and principles
Coding: 20% (3 hours) - Technical fundamentals
Mock Interviews: 15% (2.25 hours) - Practice and feedback integration

Part-Time Track (12 hours/week)¶

System Design: 35% (4.2 hours) - Prioritized technical focus
Behavioral: 40% (4.8 hours) - Essential story development
Coding: 15% (1.8 hours) - Core patterns only
Mock Interviews: 10% (1.2 hours) - Essential practice

Minimum Viable Track (10 hours/week)¶

System Design: 40% (4 hours) - High-impact problems only
Behavioral: 45% (4.5 hours) - Core story portfolio
Coding: 10% (1 hour) - Maintenance practice
Mock Interviews: 5% (0.5 hours) - Weekly brief sessions

Success Benchmarks by Week¶

Markdown

Week 1: Foundation Assessment (70% completion target)
Week 2: Skill Building (75% completion target)  
Week 3: Integration Practice (80% completion target)
Week 4: Mock Interview Intensive (85% completion target)
Week 5: Advanced Scenarios (85% completion target)
Week 6: Final Preparation (90% completion target)

📅 Week-by-Week Detailed Plan¶

Week 1: Foundation Assessment & Core Setup¶

Theme: "Know Your Starting Point"

Monday: Comprehensive Assessment (2.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (1.5 hours) - OR - Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Complete self-assessment framework - focus on critical gaps - [ ] Identify top 3 weakness areas requiring immediate focus - [ ] Map 5-7 key experiences to Leadership Principles using LP mapping guide

Flexible Block (1 hour - can be split across day) - [ ] Set up practice environment (whiteboard, timer, recording setup) - [ ] Review L6 vs L7 expectations - align target level - [ ] Create realistic study calendar with your work schedule

Part-time option: Reduce LP mapping to 3-4 experiences, skip detailed environment setup

Tuesday: System Design Foundations (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours - flexible timing) - [ ] Study system design fundamentals - core concepts only - [ ] Complete practice problem: "Design URL Shortener" (30-45 min timed) - [ ] Review AWS services overview - top 10 services

Flex Block (30-60 min - can be lunch break or commute) - [ ] Practice explaining URL shortener solution out loud - [ ] Review scale architecture patterns - basic patterns

Part-time option: Skip AWS deep dive, focus on fundamental patterns only Minimum viable: URL shortener problem only, 30-min solution practice

Wednesday: Coding Assessment & Setup (2 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5 hours - flexible timing) - [ ] Solve 3-4 medium LeetCode problems - time each solution - [ ] Focus areas: Arrays, Strings, Hash Maps (core patterns) - [ ] Document patterns and time to solution

Quick Block (30 min - can be evening or lunch) - [ ] Review coding strategy guide - key strategies - [ ] Set up preferred IDE and practice environment - [ ] Identify top 2 coding pattern areas needing work

Part-time option: 3 problems maximum, focus on Arrays and Strings Minimum viable: 2 problems, basic pattern recognition only

Thursday: Behavioral Foundation (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours) - [ ] Read STAR framework guide - focus on structure - [ ] Draft 2-3 initial STAR stories covering key Leadership Principles - [ ] Practice 1 story delivery with timing (aim for 5-6 minutes)

Flexible Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Review L6 or L7 scenarios - key scenarios - [ ] Identify 3-4 additional experiences to develop later

Part-time option: 2 stories maximum, basic framework understanding Minimum viable: 1 strong story, framework overview

Friday: Integration & Planning (2 hours)¶

Main Block (1 hour) - [ ] Conduct first mock interview: 30-minute behavioral focus - [ ] Quick self-evaluate using question-response framework

Planning Block (1 hour) - [ ] Review week 1 progress - celebrate wins, note gaps - [ ] Adjust Week 2 plan based on realistic time availability - [ ] Schedule Week 2 practice sessions (can be informal)

Part-time option: 20-minute mock, streamlined planning Minimum viable: Self-practice with recording, 30-min planning

Weekend: Recovery & Light Review (1.5 hours total)¶

Saturday (1 hour) - Optional based on energy - [ ] Read Amazon news or recent technical blog posts (30 min) - [ ] Review and organize Week 1 notes (30 min)

Sunday (30 min) - Recovery day - [ ] Mental preparation and stress management (15 min) - [ ] Quick prep for Week 2 schedule (15 min)

Part-time option: Skip Saturday, keep Sunday light Minimum viable: Sunday prep only, focus on rest

Recovery day reminder: Rest is crucial for retention and avoiding burnout!

Week 2: Skill Building & Pattern Recognition¶

Theme: "Build Your Arsenal"

Monday: Advanced Behavioral Development (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours) - [ ] Develop 2-3 new STAR stories focusing on: - Technical leadership and decision-making - Cross-functional collaboration OR conflict resolution - [ ] Practice delivery of 3-4 best stories with timing

Flexible Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Study trade-off framework - [ ] Apply framework to 1 technical decision scenario - [ ] Skim decision-making guide

Part-time: 2 stories max, focus on strongest LP areas Minimum viable: 1 new story, practice 2 existing stories

Tuesday: System Design Mastery Building (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours) - [ ] Complete 1-2 system design problems (30-40 min each): - Target level: L6 problems or L7 problems - Focus: Chat system OR Social media feed - [ ] Review well-architected principles - key concepts

Flexible Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Basic distributed systems concepts - consistency models overview - [ ] Quick review: case studies - 1 architecture (Netflix OR Uber) - [ ] Practice explaining one trade-off clearly

Part-time: 1 problem, basic principles only Minimum viable: 1 problem (30 min), skip case studies

Wednesday: Coding Pattern Mastery (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours) - [ ] Focus on identified weak patterns from Week 1 - [ ] Solve 5-6 problems covering: - Trees and Graphs (2 problems) - Dynamic Programming (2 problems)
- System Design coding (1 problem: LRU Cache OR Rate Limiter) - Two pointers/Sliding window (1 problem)

Quick Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Review algorithm patterns guide - focus on weak areas - [ ] Practice explaining 1-2 algorithmic choices clearly - [ ] Quick timed practice - solve 1 problem under pressure

Part-time: 4 problems max, skip system design coding Minimum viable: 3 problems focusing on weakest patterns

Thursday: Integration Mock Interview (2.5 hours)¶

Main Block (1.5-2 hours) - [ ] Focused mock interview: - 30 min behavioral round - 45 min system design round - Quick recording notes

Review Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Review notes and identify top 2 improvement areas - [ ] Practice 1 specific weak area immediately - [ ] Get external feedback if available (or self-assess)

Part-time: 20 min behavioral + 30 min system design Minimum viable: 30 min behavioral focus, quick self-notes

Friday: Technical Deep Dive (2 hours)¶

Main Block (1-1.5 hours) - [ ] Choose 1 focused topic based on target level: - L6: Microservices basics, API design, OR database scaling - L7: Platform engineering, ML infrastructure, OR distributed systems - [ ] Study topic with practical focus, create brief notes

Application Block (30-60 min) - [ ] Apply knowledge to 1 system design practice - [ ] Practice explaining the concept in simple terms - [ ] Quick review of 1-2 industry best practices

Part-time: 1 hour total, basic concept understanding Minimum viable: 30 min concept study, skip application

Saturday (1 hour) - Optional - [ ] Week 2 review - wins and gaps (30 min) - [ ] Refine 1-2 behavioral stories based on feedback (30 min)

Sunday (30 min) - Planning - [ ] Plan Week 3 with realistic priorities and buffer time - [ ] Adjust schedule based on what worked/didn't work

Part-time: Sunday planning only Minimum viable: 15-min Sunday planning

Week 3: Integration & Advanced Practice¶

Theme: "Connect the Pieces"

Monday: Cross-Functional Leadership Stories (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Develop advanced behavioral stories: - Leading through ambiguity and change - Influencing without authority - Strategic technical decisions with business impact - [ ] Practice integrating technical details with leadership narrative

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Study bar-raiser preparation - [ ] Practice handling follow-up questions and challenges - [ ] Work on executive presence and communication style

Tuesday: Advanced System Design (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Complete 2 complex system design problems: - L6: Design Uber/Lyft, Design Facebook Messenger
- L7: Design AWS service, Design ML platform - [ ] Focus on operational concerns, monitoring, and maintenance

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Study advanced topics: CAP theorem, eventual consistency - [ ] Review real-world architecture failures and lessons learned - [ ] Practice handling capacity planning and cost optimization questions

Wednesday: Coding + Leadership Integration (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Solve coding problems while explaining leadership context: - How would you architect this at scale? - How would you lead a team to implement this? - What are the operational considerations? - [ ] Practice 6-8 medium/hard problems with leadership lens

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Review technical competencies - [ ] Practice explaining technical trade-offs to different audiences - [ ] Work on connecting coding to business value

Thursday: Mock Interview Marathon (4.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (3 hours) - [ ] Complete full interview loop simulation: - 45 min behavioral interview
- 60 min system design interview - 45 min technical leadership discussion

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Detailed feedback review and improvement planning - [ ] Practice identified weak areas immediately - [ ] Adjust remaining weeks based on performance gaps

Friday: Strategic Thinking Development (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours)
- [ ] L6 Focus: Practice team strategy and roadmap planning - [ ] L7 Focus: Practice organizational strategy and platform thinking - [ ] Case study analysis: How would you transform this organization?

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Industry research: Current trends affecting your target domain - [ ] Practice articulating technical vision and strategy - [ ] Connect technical decisions to business outcomes

Weekend: Mid-Point Assessment (3 hours total)¶

Comprehensive progress evaluation against Week 1 baseline (1 hour)
Strategy adjustment for final 3 weeks (1 hour)
Mental preparation and confidence building activities (1 hour)

Week 4: Mock Interview Intensive¶

Theme: "Practice Under Pressure"

Monday: Behavioral Excellence (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Mock behavioral interview with external partner - [ ] Focus on advanced scenarios and follow-up questions - [ ] Practice handling stress and difficult probing questions

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Refine stories based on feedback - [ ] Practice storytelling with natural flow and confidence - [ ] Work on handling unexpected questions gracefully

Tuesday: System Design Under Pressure (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Timed system design practice with observer feedback - [ ] Focus on time management and structured approach - [ ] Practice handling scope changes and additional requirements

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Review performance and identify time management issues - [ ] Practice rapid problem decomposition techniques - [ ] Work on confident presentation and stakeholder communication

Wednesday: Technical Integration Mock (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Combined coding + system design interview simulation - [ ] Practice transitioning between different technical areas - [ ] Focus on maintaining composure and clear thinking

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Analyze performance across different technical dimensions - [ ] Practice recovery from mistakes or getting stuck - [ ] Work on time allocation across multiple problems

Thursday: Bar Raiser Simulation (4.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (3 hours) - [ ] Full bar raiser interview simulation with challenging scenarios - [ ] Practice with experienced interviewer playing difficult role - [ ] Focus on demonstrating culture fit and raising the bar

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Deep reflection on cultural alignment and leadership style - [ ] Practice articulating Amazon's principles naturally - [ ] Work on authentic storytelling and genuine examples

Friday: Interview Style Adaptation (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Practice with different interviewer styles: - Technical deep-dive interviewer - Skeptical challenger - Silent listener requiring more initiative - Collaborative problem-solver

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Practice reading interview dynamics and adjusting approach - [ ] Work on building rapport quickly and effectively - [ ] Focus on maintaining performance under different pressures

Weekend: Performance Analysis (2.5 hours total)¶

Comprehensive mock interview performance review (1.5 hours)
Identify top 3 areas for final 2 weeks of focus (30 min)
Mental preparation and stress management practice (30 min)

Week 5: Advanced Scenarios & Edge Cases¶

Theme: "Handle the Unexpected"

Monday: Complex Leadership Scenarios (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Practice advanced behavioral scenarios: - Leading through crisis and failure - Managing up and influencing executives
- Handling team conflicts and performance issues - [ ] Focus on nuanced situations without clear answers

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Study L6 or L7 advanced scenarios - [ ] Practice handling ethical dilemmas and difficult trade-offs - [ ] Work on demonstrating judgment and wisdom

Tuesday: Advanced Technical Architecture (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Practice complex system design with multiple constraints: - Global scale with regulatory requirements - Legacy system integration challenges - Cost optimization while maintaining performance - [ ] Focus on handling ambiguous requirements

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Practice pivoting design based on new information - [ ] Work on handling questions outside your expertise gracefully - [ ] Focus on demonstrating learning agility and curiosity

Wednesday: Cross-Functional Technical Leadership (4 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Practice scenarios involving: - Technical decision-making with business stakeholders - Managing technical debt while delivering features - Balancing innovation with reliability - [ ] Focus on explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Practice handling disagreements with technical authority - [ ] Work on building consensus across different perspectives - [ ] Focus on influencing through data and clear reasoning

Thursday: Edge Case Interview Scenarios (4.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (3 hours) - [ ] Practice handling interview curveballs: - Questions outside your primary expertise - Hostile or skeptical interviewer behavior - Technical problems with missing information - [ ] Focus on maintaining composure and structured thinking

Evening Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Practice recovery strategies when stuck or wrong - [ ] Work on asking clarifying questions effectively - [ ] Focus on demonstrating intellectual honesty

Friday: Integration and Polish (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] End-to-end interview simulation with all components - [ ] Focus on smooth transitions and overall narrative - [ ] Practice opening and closing strong

Evening Block (1 hour)
- [ ] Final refinement of core stories and technical examples - [ ] Practice confident delivery and natural conversation flow - [ ] Work on memorable closing questions and engagement

Weekend: Confidence Building (2 hours total)¶

Review all progress and celebrate improvements (45 min)
Practice positive visualization and mental preparation (45 min)
Light technical review and final story polishing (30 min)

Week 6: Final Preparation & Interview Readiness¶

Theme: "Peak Performance"

Monday: Story and Technique Perfection (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Final refinement of top 8-10 STAR stories - [ ] Practice seamless delivery with natural timing - [ ] Focus on confident, authentic storytelling

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Record story practice sessions and review for improvements - [ ] Practice handling interruptions and follow-up questions - [ ] Work on connecting stories to demonstrate growth

Tuesday: Technical Confidence Building (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Review and practice top system design solutions - [ ] Quick coding practice on core patterns (no new problems) - [ ] Focus on clear explanation and confident delivery

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Review key technical concepts and talking points - [ ] Practice explaining complex ideas simply and clearly - [ ] Work on confident body language and presentation

Wednesday: Mock Interview Final Check (3.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (2.5 hours) - [ ] Final full mock interview with feedback - [ ] Focus on execution and confidence rather than learning - [ ] Practice interview day logistics and timing

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Address any remaining minor issues identified - [ ] Practice pre-interview warmup routine - [ ] Confirm interview logistics and backup plans

Thursday: Interview Day Preparation (2.5 hours)¶

Morning Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Light practice to stay sharp without overworking - [ ] Review key talking points and story outlines - [ ] Practice relaxation and confidence techniques

Evening Block (1 hour) - [ ] Prepare interview day materials and logistics - [ ] Review company research and recent news - [ ] Mental preparation and positive visualization

Friday: Final Readiness (2 hours)¶

Morning Block (1.5 hours) - [ ] Light warm-up practice - stay sharp but fresh - [ ] Review personal motivation and authentic stories - [ ] Confirm all logistics and backup plans

Evening Block (30 min) - [ ] Final mental preparation and relaxation - [ ] Review sleep schedule and nutrition plan - [ ] Set up successful interview day routine

Weekend: Rest and Interview Execution¶

Rest, relaxation, and mental preparation
Light review only - no intensive studying
Execute interview with confidence and authenticity

📊 Daily Schedule Templates for Working Professionals¶

Full-Time Track Schedule (2.5-3 hours/day)¶

Markdown
**Option A: Early Bird (Before Work)**
- 6:30-7:30 AM: Main study block (1 hour)
- 7:30-8:00 AM: Quick review/planning (30 min)
- Evening: 7:30-8:30 PM: Practice block (1 hour)

**Option B: Evening Focus (After Work)**  
- Lunch: 12:00-12:30 PM: Light review (30 min)
- Evening: 7:00-9:00 PM: Main study blocks (2 hours)
- Before bed: 9:30-9:45 PM: Planning (15 min)

**Option C: Split Schedule**
- Morning: 7:00-8:00 AM: Core study (1 hour)
- Lunch: 12:00-12:45 PM: Practice/review (45 min)
- Evening: 8:00-9:00 PM: Application work (1 hour)

Part-Time Track Schedule (2-2.5 hours/day)¶

Markdown
**Weekday Minimal (1.5-2 hours/day)**
- Morning OR Evening: 1-1.5 hours main study
- Lunch OR Commute: 30 min light review

**Weekend Catch-up (3-4 hours total)**
- Saturday: 2 hours focused study
- Sunday: 1-2 hours review and planning

Minimum Viable Schedule (1.5-2 hours/day)¶

Markdown
**Daily Core (1-1.5 hours)**
- Single focused study block
- Quick 15-30 min review

**Weekend Essential (2-3 hours total)**
- Mock interview practice
- Week planning and catch-up

🎯 Weekly Assessment Framework¶

Week Completion Criteria¶

Markdown
**Minimum Viable Week (70% target):**
- [ ] Completed core study hours (10+ hours any track)
- [ ] Met essential practice quotas (reduced targets)
- [ ] Made progress on behavioral story portfolio
- [ ] Some form of practice interview/feedback

**Strong Week (85% target):**
- [ ] Met or exceeded chosen track goals
- [ ] Demonstrated measurable skill improvement
- [ ] Received external feedback or strong self-assessment
- [ ] Maintained sustainable pace without burnout

**Exceptional Week (95% target):**
- [ ] Exceeded goals while maintaining work-life balance
- [ ] Breakthrough moments in skill development
- [ ] Strong validation of progress from mock interviews
- [ ] Built confidence and momentum for next week

Weekly Self-Assessment Questions¶

Markdown
**Technical Growth:**
1. What new technical concepts did I master this week?
2. How has my system design approach improved?
3. Am I more confident in technical discussions?

**Behavioral Development:**
1. Which Leadership Principles do I now tell better?
2. How has my storytelling improved?
3. Do I handle follow-up questions more effectively?

**Interview Readiness:**
1. How would I perform if interviewed today?
2. What are my top 2 remaining growth areas?
3. How confident do I feel about my target level?

🚨 Red Flags & Recovery Strategies¶

Weekly Red Flags¶

Markdown
**Study Hours < 15/week:**
- Immediately reassess time commitment and priorities
- Consider timeline extension or scope reduction
- Address blocking factors (work, family, health)

**Mock Interview Performance Declining:**
- Take 1-2 day break to prevent burnout
- Focus on fundamentals over advanced topics
- Seek external coaching or support

**Confidence Significantly Decreasing:**
- Review early wins and progress made
- Adjust expectations and timeline if needed
- Focus on strength areas while improving weaknesses

Recovery Strategies¶

Markdown
**Behind Schedule:**
Focus on highest-impact activities only
Increase daily commitment if possible
Extend timeline if interview date flexible
Consider level adjustment if substantial gaps remain

**Burnout Indicators:**
Immediate 24-48 hour complete break
Reassess sustainable daily commitment
Focus on quality over quantity moving forward
Incorporate stress management and recovery time

🎬 Final Week Success Checklist¶

Technical Readiness¶

Can complete L6/L7 appropriate system design in 45-60 minutes
Solve coding problems with clear explanation of approach
Explain technical trade-offs confidently to different audiences
Handle follow-up questions and scope changes gracefully

Behavioral Excellence¶

Have 8-10 polished STAR stories covering all key Leadership Principles
Tell stories naturally with appropriate detail and timing
Handle probing questions and challenges confidently
Connect experiences to demonstrate consistent leadership growth

Interview Performance¶

Maintain composure and structured thinking under pressure
Recover gracefully from mistakes or getting stuck
Build rapport with different interviewer personalities
Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest

Logistics and Mental Preparation¶

All interview logistics confirmed with backup plans
Pre-interview routine planned and practiced
Stress management techniques ready for interview day
Confident in authentic self-presentation

🔄 Flexibility and Recovery Strategies¶

Weekly Buffer Management¶

Markdown
**High-Energy Weeks**: Exceed targets by 20-30%
**Normal Weeks**: Meet minimum targets consistently
**Recovery Weeks**: Drop to minimum viable (40-50% reduction)
**Catch-up Strategy**: Use weekends flexibly based on weekday performance

Working Professional Adaptations¶

Markdown
**Business Travel**: Switch to mobile study (behavioral stories, case studies)
**High Work Load**: Focus on highest ROI activities (mock interviews, core stories)
**Family Commitments**: Reduce daily targets, extend weekend study
**Illness/Emergency**: Full recovery day, resume at minimum viable level

6-Week Plan Success Factors for Working Professionals

Realistic Commitment: Choose track that fits your current life situation Flexible Focus: Prioritize highest-impact when time is scarce Sustainable Pace: Better to be consistent at lower intensity than burn out Smart Recovery: Plan rest days and buffer time for unexpected work demands Quality over Quantity: Focus on deep practice rather than hours logged

For more extensive preparation with deeper skill building, see our 12-week comprehensive plan.