Describe times exceeding and missing expectations
Overview
This question evaluates behavioral and leadership competencies in a Software Engineer role—focusing on ownership, self-awareness, stakeholder communication, root-cause analysis, and the ability to quantify impact when describing times of exceeding and missing expectations.
Amazon
Sep 6, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Technical Screen
Behavioral & Leadership
0
0
Behavioral Prompt: Exceeding and Falling Below Expectations
Context
You are interviewing for a Software Engineer role in a technical screen focused on behavioral and leadership competencies. Use a structured framework (e.g., STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result) and quantify impact. Discuss stakeholders, feedback, root causes, lessons, and follow-ups.
Task
Provide two concise but complete examples:
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Exceeded Expectations
- (a) Context and goal
- (b) Your specific actions and decision-making
- (c) Stakeholders involved and how you collaborated
- (d) Measurable results (with numbers)
- (e) Feedback you received
- (f) Root causes of the original challenge
- (g) Lessons learned
- (h) What you would do differently next time
- (i) How you followed up to solidify improvements
-
Fell Below Expectations
- (a) Context and goal
- (b) Your specific actions and decision-making
- (c) Stakeholders involved and how you collaborated
- (d) Measurable results (with numbers)
- (e) Feedback you received
- (f) Root causes of the miss
- (g) Lessons learned
- (h) What you would do differently next time
- (i) How you followed up to prevent recurrence
Solution
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