New Grad: AWS SA Interview Preparation for Solutions Architect Role — Beginner Step-by-Step
TL;DR
AWS SA interview preparation requires 30-60 days of study, with a focus on cloud computing, networking, and security, to land a $110,000-$140,000 Solutions Architect role.
To succeed, new grads must prioritize hands-on experience with AWS services and practice whiteboarding exercises to improve their problem-solving skills.
A well-structured preparation plan can significantly increase the chances of passing the interview.
Who This Is For
New graduates with 0-2 years of experience in computer science or related fields, looking to land a Solutions Architect role at AWS, with a salary range of $110,000-$140,000, are the target audience for this preparation guide.
They typically have a strong foundation in programming languages, data structures, and software design patterns, but lack hands-on experience with cloud computing and AWS services.
With the right guidance and preparation, they can fill the gaps in their knowledge and increase their chances of passing the AWS SA interview.
What is the AWS SA Interview Process Like?
The AWS SA interview process typically consists of 4-6 rounds, including a phone screen, technical interviews, and a final presentation, with each round lasting 30-60 minutes.
The process can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to complete, with 1-2 weeks of preparation time between each round.
To prepare, new grads should focus on building a strong foundation in cloud computing, networking, and security, as well as practicing whiteboarding exercises to improve their problem-solving skills.
How Do I Prepare for the AWS SA Interview?
To prepare for the AWS SA interview, new grads should start by studying the AWS Well-Architected Framework, which provides a set of best practices for designing and operating reliable, secure, and high-performing workloads in the cloud.
They should also focus on building hands-on experience with AWS services, such as EC2, S3, and RDS, and practice whiteboarding exercises to improve their problem-solving skills.
Additionally, they should review the AWS security and compliance features, such as IAM, Cognito, and Inspector, to ensure they have a strong understanding of cloud security.
What Are the Most Important AWS Services to Know?
The most important AWS services to know for the Solutions Architect role include EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and API Gateway, as well as security and compliance features like IAM, Cognito, and Inspector.
New grads should also have a strong understanding of cloud computing concepts, such as scalability, availability, and fault tolerance, as well as networking and security principles.
They should be able to design and implement secure, scalable, and efficient architectures using AWS services, and have hands-on experience with AWS tools and platforms.
How Do I Improve My Whiteboarding Skills?
To improve their whiteboarding skills, new grads should practice solving system design problems on a whiteboard or shared document, using a structured approach to identify requirements, design components, and evaluate trade-offs.
They should focus on communicating complex technical ideas clearly and concisely, using simple diagrams and bullet points to illustrate their design.
They should also practice answering behavioral questions, such as "Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex technical issue," to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and experience.
Preparation Checklist
To prepare for the AWS SA interview, new grads should:
- Study the AWS Well-Architected Framework and build hands-on experience with AWS services
- Practice whiteboarding exercises to improve problem-solving skills
- Review AWS security and compliance features, such as IAM and Cognito
- Focus on building a strong foundation in cloud computing, networking, and security
- Work through a structured preparation system, such as the PM Interview Playbook, which covers cloud computing and AWS services with real debrief examples
- Practice answering behavioral questions and solving system design problems on a whiteboard or shared document
Mistakes to Avoid
BAD: Focusing too much on theory and not enough on hands-on experience with AWS services.
GOOD: Building a strong foundation in cloud computing, networking, and security, and practicing whiteboarding exercises to improve problem-solving skills.
BAD: Not preparing for behavioral questions and system design problems.
GOOD: Practicing answering behavioral questions and solving system design problems on a whiteboard or shared document to demonstrate problem-solving skills and experience.
FAQ
Q: What is the average salary range for a Solutions Architect role at AWS?
A: The average salary range for a Solutions Architect role at AWS is $110,000-$140,000.
Q: How many rounds of interviews can I expect for the AWS SA interview process?
A: The AWS SA interview process typically consists of 4-6 rounds, including a phone screen, technical interviews, and a final presentation.
Q: How long does the AWS SA interview process typically take to complete?
A: The AWS SA interview process can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to complete, with 1-2 weeks of preparation time between each round.
The 0→1 PM Interview Playbook (2026 Edition) — view on Amazon →