--- title: Podcast Interview: Learn the origin story for Amazon's Bar Raiser program, and how you can scale a high hiring bar description: This episode is packed full of practical, strategic insights that entrepreneurs and talent acquisition professionals can use today. image: https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/hubfs/ILAO-14-Thumbnail.webp --- [![RT-Logo-400x282-1](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/hubfs/RT-Logo-400x282-1.png)](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/) - [Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/) - CUSTOM-BUILT TRAINING FOR RECRUITERS & RECRUITING MANAGERS - [Overview](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/) - [Talent Advisor Training POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/talent-advisor-training/) - [Recruiting Leadership Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/recruiting-leadership-training/) - [Diversity Recruiting Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/diversity-recruiting-training/) - [Selling and Closing Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/selling-closing-training/) - [Online Recruiter Academy](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/online-recruiter-training/) - [Recruiting Leadership Labs (Managers Only)](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/) - [Recruiting Leadership Lab 50 (Sr Director/VPs Only)](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/rll50/) - CUSTOM-BUILT TRAINING FOR HIRING MANAGERS & INTERVIEWERS - [Interviewer / Hiring Manager Training POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/interviewer-training/) - [Overview](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training-for-hiring-managers/) - [License to Hire Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/license-to-hire-training/) - [Hiring Manager Diversity Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/hiring-manager-diversity-training/) - [Executive Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/executive-hiring-manager-training/) - [Bar Raiser Training](https://go.recruitingtoolbox.com/bar-raiser-training-overview) - [Online Interviewer & Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/online-interviewer-training/) - FREE TRAINING - [Recorded Webinars and Conference Presentations](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/free-best-practices-webinar-videos/) - [Consulting](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/) - REAL-WORLD CONSULTING SERVICES - [Learn more about our experienced consultants](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/team/) - STRATEGY & PROCESS CONSULTING - [Strategy, Org Model, and Process Consulting POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#strategy) - [Coaching for Talent Leaders](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#CoachingforTalentLeaders) - [EVP, Employment Branding, and Messaging](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#evp) - [Hiring Manager Self-Service Toolbox](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#hiring-manager) - HIRING BAR CONSULTING - [Hiring Standards and Interview Guides POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#hiring) - [Bar-Raisers and Quality Control Mechanisms](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#bar-raisers) - [Resources](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/) - BECOME AN EXPERT - [How to Be a Talent Advisor](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/how-to-be-a-talent-advisor/) - [How to Be an Effective Recruiting Leader](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/how-to-be-an-effective-recruiting-leader/) - [How to Leverage Bar Raisers](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/bar-raisers/) - FREE RECRUITING BEST PRACTICES - [Our Resource Library](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/) - [Recruiting Toolbox Blog](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog) - [Recorded Webinars and Conference Presentations](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/free-best-practices-webinar-videos/) - [Event Attendee Downloads](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/event-downloads/) - STUFF WE LOVE - [Bookstore and Stickers](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/store/) - [Clients](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/) - CLIENTS - [Who hires us?](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/) - TESTIMONIALS - [Client Testimonials](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/testimonials/) - [ARE YOU A SOLO RECRUITER, AGENCY, OR PART OF A SMALL TEAM?](https://staging.recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/solo-recruiters-agencies-small-teams/) - [How We Support Small Recruiting Teams](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/solo-recruiters-agencies-small-teams/) - [About Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/) - WHAT WE DO - [How We Help Companies Recruit Better](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/) - WHY CHOOSE US - [Why Companies Hire Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/why/) - OUR TEAM - [Meet Our Team](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/team/) - [Connect With Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/connect-with-us/) - [Ask Us to Speak at Your Event](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/speaking-engagements/) - [Contact](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/contact/) - [Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/) - CUSTOM-BUILT TRAINING FOR RECRUITERS & RECRUITING MANAGERS - [Overview](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/) - [Talent Advisor Training POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/talent-advisor-training/) - [Recruiting Leadership Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/recruiting-leadership-training/) - [Diversity Recruiting Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/diversity-recruiting-training/) - [Selling and Closing Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/selling-closing-training/) - [Online Recruiter Academy](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/online-recruiter-training/) - [Recruiting Leadership Labs (Managers Only)](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/) - [Recruiting Leadership Lab 50 (Sr Director/VPs Only)](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/rll50/) - CUSTOM-BUILT TRAINING FOR HIRING MANAGERS & INTERVIEWERS - [Interviewer / Hiring Manager Training POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/interviewer-training/) - [Overview](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training-for-hiring-managers/) - [License to Hire Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/license-to-hire-training/) - [Hiring Manager Diversity Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/hiring-manager-diversity-training/) - [Executive Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/executive-hiring-manager-training/) - [Bar Raiser Training](https://go.recruitingtoolbox.com/bar-raiser-training-overview) - [Online Interviewer & Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/online-interviewer-training/) - FREE TRAINING - [Recorded Webinars and Conference Presentations](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/free-best-practices-webinar-videos/) - [Consulting](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/) - REAL-WORLD CONSULTING SERVICES - [Learn more about our experienced consultants](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/team/) - STRATEGY & PROCESS CONSULTING - [Strategy, Org Model, and Process Consulting POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#strategy) - [Coaching for Talent Leaders](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#CoachingforTalentLeaders) - [EVP, Employment Branding, and Messaging](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#evp) - [Hiring Manager Self-Service Toolbox](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#hiring-manager) - HIRING BAR CONSULTING - [Hiring Standards and Interview Guides POPULAR](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#hiring) - [Bar-Raisers and Quality Control Mechanisms](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/consulting/#bar-raisers) - [Resources](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/) - BECOME AN EXPERT - [How to Be a Talent Advisor](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/how-to-be-a-talent-advisor/) - [How to Be an Effective Recruiting Leader](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/how-to-be-an-effective-recruiting-leader/) - [How to Leverage Bar Raisers](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/bar-raisers/) - FREE RECRUITING BEST PRACTICES - [Our Resource Library](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/) - [Recruiting Toolbox Blog](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog) - [Recorded Webinars and Conference Presentations](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/free-best-practices-webinar-videos/) - [Event Attendee Downloads](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/event-downloads/) - STUFF WE LOVE - [Bookstore and Stickers](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/store/) - [Clients](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/) - CLIENTS - [Who hires us?](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/) - TESTIMONIALS - [Client Testimonials](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/testimonials/) - [ARE YOU A SOLO RECRUITER, AGENCY, OR PART OF A SMALL TEAM?](https://staging.recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/solo-recruiters-agencies-small-teams/) - [How We Support Small Recruiting Teams](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/solo-recruiters-agencies-small-teams/) - [About Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/) - WHAT WE DO - [How We Help Companies Recruit Better](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/) - WHY CHOOSE US - [Why Companies Hire Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/why/) - OUR TEAM - [Meet Our Team](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/team/) - [Connect With Us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/connect-with-us/) - [Ask Us to Speak at Your Event](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/speaking-engagements/) - [Contact](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/contact/) # Recruiting Toolbox Blog # Podcast Interview: Learn the origin story for Amazon's Bar Raiser program, and how you can scale a high hiring bar [Recruiting Toolbox](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog/author/recruiting-toolbox) July 27, 2021 1 minute read ![ILAO-14-Thumbnail](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ILAO-14-Thumbnail.webp?width=550&name=ILAO-14-Thumbnail.webp) #### Ever wondered how Amazon scaled a high hiring bar? In a recent episode of his podcast [Invent Like An Owner](https://inventlikeanowner.com/podcast/), [Dave Schappell](https://inventlikeanowner.com/about-dave-schappell/) interviewed [John Vlastelica](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvlastelica) of Recruiting Toolbox to talk about the early days of Amazon's recruiting process. In this episode, they discussed the origins and impact of Amazon's Bar Raiser program, Amazon's behavioral interview training, and more. John was brought on as Amazon's first Technical Recruiting Manager in 1998 and later became a Director of Recruiting. His contributions to Amazon's recruiting organization laid the groundwork for massive hiring growth, and the Bar Raisers program is still used today. This episode is packed full of information about the Bar Raisers program, John's experiences as a foundational member of Amazon's recruiting organization, and practical, strategic insights that entrepreneurs and talent acquisition professionals can use today. **Listen to the one-hour episode:** - On the [website](https://inventlikeanowner.com/podcast/john-vlastelica-how-amazon-raised-the-bar-on-recruiting-talent/) - Watch/listen on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAgIpc6569c) - Subscribe and listen in your [favorite podcast app](https://inventlikeanowner.com/?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=New_Podcast_Email_14__John_Vlastelica&utm_medium=email#h-never-miss-a-podcast-episode) Learn more about the pros and cons of programs like Amazon Bar Raisers and Google Hiring Committees at [BarRaisers.com](http://www.barraisers.com/). ## You might also be interested in... #### [The Debrief: John Vlastelica on Raising Your Hiring Bar](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog/the-debrief-john-vlastelica-on-raising-your-hiring-bar) #### [Creating a Culture of Hiring: John Vlastelica on Amazon's Approach](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog/creating-a-culture-of-hiring) #### [Three Strategies Microsoft, eBay and Amazon Use to Engage Hiring Managers](https://blog.recruitingtoolbox.com/blog/three-strategies-engage-hiring-managers) ## About Recruiting Toolbox Recruiting Toolbox, Inc. is a specialized management consulting and training firm that helps [companies](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/clients/) recruit better, from startups to world-class brands. Our [consultants](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/about-us/team/) – all former corporate talent leaders – partner with you – heads of recruitment and HR – to improve speed, hire quality, candidate experience, and diversity hiring ROI. And it’s all tailored to your talent goals, culture, budget, and resource model. We work with clients across the globe – 20 countries so far – from our offices in the US. ## Popular Training Programs - [Talent Advisor Recruiter Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/talent-advisor-training/) - [Recruiting Leadership Lab](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/) - [RLL50 (Heads of TA)](https://labs.recruitingtoolbox.com/rll50/) - [Interviewer / Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/interviewer-training/) - [Online Hiring Manager Training](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/training/online-interviewer-training/) ## Best Practices - [What is a Talent Advisor?](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/what-is-a-talent-advisor/) - [How to be a Talent Advisor](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/resources/how-to-be-a-talent-advisor/) - [Talent Advisor Diagnostic Tool](https://go.recruitingtoolbox.com/talent-advisor-diagnostic-tool) - [Hiring Manager Maturity Model](https://go.recruitingtoolbox.com/downloads/white-papers-best-practices/the-hiring-manager-maturity-model) - [Interviewing Diagnostic Tool](https://go.recruitingtoolbox.com/interviewing-effectiveness-diagnostic-tool) ## Contact Us Interested in learning how we can help your teams recruit better?  [Contact us](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/contact/). Want access to more best practices? Like us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/recruitingtoolbox), follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/RecruitToolbox), and follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-toolbox-inc./). Subscribe to our [blog](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/blog-signup/) to receive best practices in your inbox a few times per month. © Recruiting Toolbox, Inc | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy](https://recruitingtoolbox.com/privacy/)