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Amazon·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Amazon SWE interview with a frontend-leaning coding question. Pretty straightforward session, just one question from what I can tell.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

How would you build a carousel component using only vanilla JavaScript (no frameworks or libraries)?

Technical Trade-offsAPI & Integrations
Author's notes

I went with the obvious approach: a container div, prev/next buttons, and tracking an index to know which slide is visible.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying requirements (e.g., autoplay, infinite loop, touch support) and then outline a modular architecture using plain JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Focus on the core mechanics: DOM manipulation, event handling, and state management, while discussing trade-offs like accessibility and performance.

Pro tip: Emphasize progressive enhancement and accessibility from the start—Amazon values customer obsession, so mention how you'd ensure the carousel works without JavaScript and is screen-reader friendly.

1. Clarify Requirements and Constraints

Ask about expected features (autoplay, infinite loop, touch/swipe, responsive) and constraints (browser support, performance). This shows you think before coding.

2. Design the HTML Structure and CSS

Propose a semantic HTML structure (e.g., a list of slides) and CSS for layout and transitions. Mention using CSS transforms for smooth animations and avoiding layout thrashing.

3. Implement Core JavaScript Logic

Describe a class or module that manages state (current index), handles navigation (next/prev), and updates the DOM. Discuss event delegation and efficient reflows.

4. Add Enhancements and Accessibility

Include keyboard navigation, ARIA roles, and touch events. Mention autoplay with pause on hover/focus and how to handle reduced motion preferences.

5. Discuss Trade-offs and Testing

Talk about trade-offs (e.g., infinite loop complexity vs. simple wrap-around) and how you'd test (unit tests with Jest, manual cross-browser testing).

Key Points to Mention

  • DOM manipulation and event handling without libraries
  • State management (current slide index, transition state)
  • CSS transitions/transforms for performance
  • Accessibility (ARIA, keyboard, screen readers)
  • Touch/swipe support for mobile
  • Performance considerations (debouncing, requestAnimationFrame)
  • Progressive enhancement (works without JS)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.