Glints TalentHubLogin
Switch Language
Culture & Onboarding
How Jeff Bezos Built Amazon with the Right People
Safira Adnin
September 3, 2024

When you think about fast-paced business growth, Jeff Bezos’s journey with Amazon is a classic blueprint. Starting out in his garage selling books, Bezos didn’t just aim to build a company – he aimed to build a powerhouse team that could scale that company to the heights it has reached today. 

Let’s dive into how his unique approach to recruitment helped Amazon become the giant it is!

What Drives Amazon’s Recruitment Strategy?

From day one, Bezos was clear: hiring at Amazon was never about just filling seats. The goal was to bring on board people who would not only fit the culture but push the company to greater achievements. This approach helped Amazon evolve from a simple online bookstore to a global retail leader. But how did Bezos turn the hiring process into such a critical asset for Amazon?

It’s Not Just About Filling a Chair

Jeff Bezos took recruitment seriously, prioritizing the quality of each hire over simply filling open positions quickly. According to a report by Fast Company, he famously said he’d rather interview 50 people and hire none than hire the wrong person. 

This might sound overly cautious and maybe a bit time-consuming, but it highlights how critical each hiring decision was. 

Over time, this strategy has saved Amazon from the high costs and disruptions that come with frequent employee turnover. Bezos’s idea was to make every role meaningful and every hire a perfect fit.

Raising the Bar

From the outset, Bezos set the bar high. Every new addition to the team wasn’t just another employee – they were meant to up the game of the entire team. It’s like what Nicholas Lovejoy, Amazon’s fifth employee, shared in a Wired article back in 1999: Bezos’s mantra was that each hire should improve the company’s overall caliber, ensuring that the talent pool got better and better.

Bezos’s Key Questions for Hiring Managers

As Amazon expanded, Bezos couldn’t personally interview every candidate. However, he did leave behind a set of crucial questions for his hiring managers:

1. Would you admire this person? 

Bezos sought to hire individuals who were not only skilled but also admirable. This criterion goes beyond professional capabilities to encompass qualities like integrity, drive, and innovation. He believed that employees who are admired inspire their colleagues, fostering a collaborative and positive workplace culture.

2. Will this person raise the average level of effectiveness of their team? 

Here, Bezos focused on the collective impact of a new hire. It’s not just about what the individual brings alone but how they enhance the team’s overall dynamics and productivity. This perspective ensures that each hire contributes to elevating team performance, not just filling a seat.

3. Could this person be the best in some areas? 

Bezos encouraged his managers to look for candidates who could excel in specific aspects of their roles. This approach aimed to harness unique strengths, positioning each employee to make the most significant impact possible.

Team Decisions in Recruitment

At Amazon, hiring is a team sport. Each candidate would be vetted by multiple team members, which helped in getting diverse viewpoints and reaching a consensus on every hire. Jeff Holden, a former Amazon executive, highlighted that this wasn’t just about agreeing on a candidate but ensuring that everyone saw the potential for the candidate to contribute positively.

The Extra Mile for Stellar Hires

Amazon’s commitment to a thorough, team-based recruitment process shows just how crucial it is to get the right people on board. They don’t rush their hires – instead, they take the time to ensure everyone agrees that the candidate is the right fit. This method might take longer, but it leads to better, more sustainable hiring outcomes.

Wrapping Up: What Amazon Teaches Us About Hiring

Jeff Bezos’s recruitment strategies provide a blueprint for building a durable and effective workforce. By setting high standards, involving the team in hiring decisions, and focusing on the potential of candidates to elevate the company, Amazon has maintained its competitive edge.

For business leaders, these lessons are invaluable. By embracing these strategies, you can enhance your recruitment process, ensuring that your team is not just skilled but also a perfect fit for your company’s culture and long-term goals. Remember, the right hire can transform a team, and by extension, the entire company. Let’s make every recruitment decision count, shaping the future of our businesses with the right people on board.

Build your borderless team with Glints today

Glints TalentHub is our complete talent solution that covers all aspects of talent acquisition, management, and development. Our team can help you access the extensive talent pool across Southeast Asia and build great teams quickly and affordably. Simply schedule a call with us and our dedicated experts will be thrilled to guide you in your journey towards building a borderless team.


This article is brought to you by Glints TalentHub. Leading companies are actively building their borderless teams in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and beyond. However, the prospect of going borderless can be daunting due to complex regulations and cultural ambiguities. With Glints TalentHub, you’ll have a dedicated team of in-market legal, HR, and talent experts by your side at every step of the way.

Glints TalentHub offers an end-to-end, tech-enabled talent solution that encompasses talent acquisition, EOR, and talent development. We empower businesses to leverage the strengths of regional talent efficiently to build high-performing, cost-efficient teams.

Schedule a no-obligation consultation with our experts to receive a tailored proposal tod

Join our Employers Community!
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our latest news and offers delivered right to your desk.

Featured Resource

Download Now

Connect With Us

Never miss a beat! Follow our social media channels for specially curated insights, knowledge and best practices to help you hire, retain and improve on your human capital.

Recent Posts