Career options with Amazon
Overview
Given the amount of time and energy that I've devoted to Amazon's websites, some people draw the logical conclusion that I should be able to find employment within the Amazonian empire. It's not as simple as that, but let's look into it.
Amazon's main base in Britain is Slough (near Windsor, also near Heathrow Airport). Their nearest (but much smaller) base to Leicester is Milton Keynes, which is not commutable by public transport, so I'd have to relocate if offered a job by Amazon, whatever the location, although that of itself is not a problem for the right job.
Maybe I could approach Amazon with the idea of them creating a job especially for me to suit both of us. I don't feel comfortable with the idea, not least because I wonder what the people I'd end up working with (assuming that I were successful) would make of it all. For that reason, it would be better for Amazon to approach me, should they think there is a special role that I could fulfil. So the rest of this section looks at whatever vacancies arise in the normal way.
Computer software
The obvious first area to look is the software department, not only because of my former career as a computer programmer but also because of my immense, though far from comprehensive, acquired knowledge of what Amazon's software does. Like the overwhelming majority of contemporary software departments, Amazon's uses technology that is very different from anything I used when I had a job. Of course, I could learn and adapt if given the chance but I've never derived any encouragement from the advertised software vacancies any time I've looked at Amazon's UK jobs page. I'm not qualified for those vacancies, although I did eventually find a different type of vacancy worth applying for, which we'll come to later.
Other vacancies
Outside the software department, my knowledge of Amazon's software would seem to be of only limited benefit. If I am right, I'm not likely to find it easier to get an advertised vacancy with Amazon than with any other employer.
Nevertheless, I eventually found an Amazon vacancy (online content editor - music) that I considered worth applying for, to see what would happen. I withdrew this page temporarily while my application was processed, replacing it with a shell page saying so and saying that it would be updated and restored once the outcome was known. Amazon's recruiting team wouldn't have seen this page unless they managed to gain access to a cached version. Some of my cyber-friends thought I'd be the ideal candidate. I didn't and, as it transpired, nor did Amazon. I received a standard rejection reply by e-mail a few days later. With Amazon themselves prominent on my CV, it would be interesting to know what they thought. Were they intimidated at the prospect of employing a significant contributor to their website, or were they trying to find a way to accept me but still couldn't fit me in, or did my connection with their business make no difference whatsoever? I'll probably never know the answer, but at least I can say that I applied for a job with Amazon. Because I didn't feel strongly about the job, their rejection of my application won't affect my attitude towards them. My contributions to their websites were prominent on my CV for about a year and a half, but made no difference. I eventually decided that one link to my central hub page would suffice for anybody wishing to investigate my internet activities.
Unique problems
There could be problems anyway if I end up working for Amazon, simply because of what I've already done. Can you imagine what other customers will think when they discover that Amazon's dual number one UK reviewer is an employee, if they don't know the history? To get round this problem, I could be removed from the rankings, so promoting Daniel Jolley to number one on the old rankings and Keith Joseph to number one on the new rankings. I know that Daniel would love to overtake me to become UK number one (and I wouldn't begrudge him the title as he would carry the badge with honour), but I also know that he wouldn't want to be handed the spot just because of my defection. Nevertheless, I'd happily give up my rankings for a suitable job with Amazon. That's one issue but there are others.
If I end up working on Amazon's software, there will come a time when I want a say in how development proceeds. Not to begin with, because I'd have much to learn, but maybe two or three years down the line. After all, my knowledge of Amazon's software is in some ways unique. I've used it extensively as both a contributor and customer (in each case at several of Amazon's websites around the world) in ways that Amazon's staff haven't. Sure, they've tested it but that's not the same thing at all, as I know from my own former career. In particular, I have sometimes suggested changes purely as a customer (to use some of the American software that isn't used in the UK) and been rebuffed. So my ideas are bound to differ from everybody else's to some extent and that might eventually cause problems, though it is also possible that I might be able to convince them to at least adopt some of my ideas. But there's one other issue that might be the biggest problem of all.
Amazon like to keep all software developments a closely guarded secret, even to the point that they don't give notice of forthcoming imminent changes. Amazon's American site likes to explain the changes on the customer reviews discussion board after the changes have actually happened. Amazon's other sites never say anything at all. I've never liked the secrecy and see no reason for it because there's no competitor capable of stealing their ideas, except at the most basic level of processing customers' orders. No rival internet retailer offers the extensive facilities for reviews, lists, guides, etc., that Amazon offers, though some of them do offer some of these features. If there were such a rival, it would be easy to understand all the secrecy. However, if I am offered a job with Amazon, I'll have to stick to the policy and that will be tough.
Conclusion
So while I'll never rule out the possibility of working for Amazon and can see that, if given the right job, it would be very appealing, I think it is most unlikely that it will ever happen. Still, if Amazon want me, they know that I'm unemployed and I'll consider any approach from them.
