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Mastering the Product Interview

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Product School
Product School

Product interviews can be nerve-wrecking and stressful, especially if you aren’t properly prepared. However, if you know exactly how to get ready, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. We cover what research you should do before the interview, how to craft the best possible answers, ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates and discuss what's required to get the job offer you really want. - An overview of the types of questions to expect - Best ways to prep for a Product Manager interview - Do's and Don'ts for the actual interview - A comprehensive list of books, online training, and other online resources related to product interviews

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Part-time Product Management Courses in Silicon Valley, New York and Los Angeles www.productschool.com
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW June 22, 2017 Dan Corbin Sr. Director of Product Management Return Path
Dan Corbin Sr. Director of Product Management Return Path dan.corbin@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcorbin
LEARNING OBJECTIVES ‣The types of questions to expect ‣Best ways to prep for a Product Manager interview ‣Do's and Don'ts for the actual interview ‣Additional Resources
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS
PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS ● What’s your favorite product? ● What’s your favorite app? Sample Questions Include: ● How would design a bookcase for children? ● How would you improve Microsoft PowerPoint?
PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS USING THE CIRCLES METHOD
THE CIRCLES METHOD Comprehend the situation Remember the 3 W’s and the H: 1. What is it? 2. Who is it for? 3. Why do they need it? 4. How does it work?
Identify the customer
THE CIRCLES METHOD Report the customer’s needs As a <user> I want <goal/desire> so that <benefit>.
THE CIRCLES METHOD Cut, through prioritization ● Review the customer needs you identified and then narrow the list done to just one ● Explain the prioritization process ● Be data driven
THE CIRCLES METHOD List solutions ● Now you can discuss solutions… ● Think Big ● Have at least three ideas
THE CIRCLES METHOD Evaluate trade-offs ● Define your trade-off criteria ● Analyze, criticize, and critique your solutions
THE CIRCLES METHOD Summarize your recommendation ● Choose which product or service you’d recommend. ● Recap why your solution is the most beneficial ● Show your product vision
THE CIRCLES METHOD Comprehend the situation Identify the customer Cut, through prioritization Report the customer’s needs List solutions Evaluate trade-offs Summarize your recommendation
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● Describe a technical problem you had and how you solved it. ● Describe a time you had to motivate employees or co-workers ● Tell me about a time you showed initiative ● Tell me about a time you built a team
BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Answer behavioral questions with a story! How to tell a great story: ● Be specific ● Talk about how your role in the story ● Paint a picture with vivid details Credit: Charles Du - Mastering The Product Interview
ALERT!!! Right before you answer a behavioral question is the perfect time to ask: “What are the top three qualities you look for in an ideal candidate?�� Credit: Charles Du - Mastering The Product Interview
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS
INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● How do you make a cup of coffee? ● How would you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ● How do you iron a shirt? ● How would you teach someone to brush their teeth?
INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS INGREDIENTS OF THE PERFECT INSTRUCTIONAL ANSWER: ● STRUCTURE ○ Demonstrates you’re organized and can devise a plan to your goal ● DETAIL ○ Include specific metrics to show you are clear with directions and also data driven ● FEEDBACK ○ Continue to gather info as you iterate ○ Ask interviewer if they need any clarifications
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW ESTIMATION QUESTIONS
ESTIMATION QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● How many bottles of shampoo are produced in the world a year? ● How much should you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle? ● How many square feet of pizza are eaten everyday in the US?
ESTIMATION QUESTIONS THREE TIPS FOR ANSWERING ESTIMATION QUESTIONS: ● ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ○ Demonstrates you’re organized and can devise a plan to your goal ● ESTIMATION ○ Write down assumptions and variables ○ Then create your formula ● OPTIMIZATION ○ Brainstorm edge cases and adjust formula accordingly
MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Step 1: Interview Prep ● Understand the product ● Review the full product suite of the company ● Know the competitors ● Customers and Market ● Revenue ● Love and Hate ● Metrics
RECOMMENDED READING
RECOMMENDED TRAINING Master the Product Manager Interview by Charles Du
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Interview Prep Checklist: Prepare for the Product Manager Interview Answering The Metrics Interview Question How To Ace Your Product Management Interview The Ultimate Product Manager Interview Cheat Sheet How to Hire a Product Manager Sample Questions The PM Interview Ultimate List of PM Interview Questions 70 Product Manager Interview Questions 10 Of The Hardest Product Management Question Microsoft Will Ask In A Job Interview 4 Common Questions Asked in a Product Management Interview Five Stellar Questions for an Interviewee to Ask in a Product Management Interview The Ultimate Guide to PM Interview Questions Strategies and Advice for Landing the Interview How I got my first Valley-based Product Management job in 5 Weeks What kind of side projects could I do to become a product manager? Find, Vet and Close the Best Product Managers Looking for a Product Management Job? Start Here Where to find Product Manager Jobs ● Indeed ● ZipRecruiter ● LinkedIn ● The Ladders ● Careerbuilder ● ProductHired ● The Product Jobs ● Austin Product Manager Startup Jobs ● Remote PM Jobs ● Monster.com
SUMMARY ● Do your research and be prepared ● Understand the different types of questions you’ll be asked ● PRACTICE ● PRACTICE ●PRACTICE!
www.productschool.com

More Related Content

Mastering the Product Interview

  • 1. Part-time Product Management Courses in Silicon Valley, New York and Los Angeles www.productschool.com
  • 2. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW June 22, 2017 Dan Corbin Sr. Director of Product Management Return Path
  • 3. Dan Corbin Sr. Director of Product Management Return Path dan.corbin@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcorbin
  • 4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES ‣The types of questions to expect ‣Best ways to prep for a Product Manager interview ‣Do's and Don'ts for the actual interview ‣Additional Resources
  • 5. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
  • 6. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS
  • 7. PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS ● What’s your favorite product? ● What’s your favorite app? Sample Questions Include: ● How would design a bookcase for children? ● How would you improve Microsoft PowerPoint?
  • 8. PRODUCT VISION QUESTIONS USING THE CIRCLES METHOD
  • 9. THE CIRCLES METHOD Comprehend the situation Remember the 3 W’s and the H: 1. What is it? 2. Who is it for? 3. Why do they need it? 4. How does it work?
  • 11. THE CIRCLES METHOD Report the customer’s needs As a <user> I want <goal/desire> so that <benefit>.
  • 12. THE CIRCLES METHOD Cut, through prioritization ● Review the customer needs you identified and then narrow the list done to just one ● Explain the prioritization process ● Be data driven
  • 13. THE CIRCLES METHOD List solutions ● Now you can discuss solutions… ● Think Big ● Have at least three ideas
  • 14. THE CIRCLES METHOD Evaluate trade-offs ● Define your trade-off criteria ● Analyze, criticize, and critique your solutions
  • 15. THE CIRCLES METHOD Summarize your recommendation ● Choose which product or service you’d recommend. ● Recap why your solution is the most beneficial ● Show your product vision
  • 16. THE CIRCLES METHOD Comprehend the situation Identify the customer Cut, through prioritization Report the customer’s needs List solutions Evaluate trade-offs Summarize your recommendation
  • 17. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
  • 18. BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● Describe a technical problem you had and how you solved it. ● Describe a time you had to motivate employees or co-workers ● Tell me about a time you showed initiative ● Tell me about a time you built a team
  • 19. BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS Answer behavioral questions with a story! How to tell a great story: ● Be specific ● Talk about how your role in the story ● Paint a picture with vivid details Credit: Charles Du - Mastering The Product Interview
  • 20. ALERT!!! Right before you answer a behavioral question is the perfect time to ask: “What are the top three qualities you look for in an ideal candidate?” Credit: Charles Du - Mastering The Product Interview
  • 21. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS
  • 22. INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● How do you make a cup of coffee? ● How would you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? ● How do you iron a shirt? ● How would you teach someone to brush their teeth?
  • 23. INSTRUCTIONAL QUESTIONS INGREDIENTS OF THE PERFECT INSTRUCTIONAL ANSWER: ● STRUCTURE ○ Demonstrates you’re organized and can devise a plan to your goal ● DETAIL ○ Include specific metrics to show you are clear with directions and also data driven ● FEEDBACK ○ Continue to gather info as you iterate ○ Ask interviewer if they need any clarifications
  • 24. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW ESTIMATION QUESTIONS
  • 25. ESTIMATION QUESTIONS Sample Questions Include: ● How many bottles of shampoo are produced in the world a year? ● How much should you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle? ● How many square feet of pizza are eaten everyday in the US?
  • 26. ESTIMATION QUESTIONS THREE TIPS FOR ANSWERING ESTIMATION QUESTIONS: ● ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ○ Demonstrates you’re organized and can devise a plan to your goal ● ESTIMATION ○ Write down assumptions and variables ○ Then create your formula ● OPTIMIZATION ○ Brainstorm edge cases and adjust formula accordingly
  • 27. MASTERING THE PRODUCT INTERVIEW INTERVIEW PREPARATION
  • 28. Step 1: Interview Prep ● Understand the product ● Review the full product suite of the company ● Know the competitors ● Customers and Market ● Revenue ● Love and Hate ● Metrics
  • 30. RECOMMENDED TRAINING Master the Product Manager Interview by Charles Du
  • 31. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Interview Prep Checklist: Prepare for the Product Manager Interview Answering The Metrics Interview Question How To Ace Your Product Management Interview The Ultimate Product Manager Interview Cheat Sheet How to Hire a Product Manager Sample Questions The PM Interview Ultimate List of PM Interview Questions 70 Product Manager Interview Questions 10 Of The Hardest Product Management Question Microsoft Will Ask In A Job Interview 4 Common Questions Asked in a Product Management Interview Five Stellar Questions for an Interviewee to Ask in a Product Management Interview The Ultimate Guide to PM Interview Questions Strategies and Advice for Landing the Interview How I got my first Valley-based Product Management job in 5 Weeks What kind of side projects could I do to become a product manager? Find, Vet and Close the Best Product Managers Looking for a Product Management Job? Start Here Where to find Product Manager Jobs ● Indeed ● ZipRecruiter ● LinkedIn ● The Ladders ● Careerbuilder ● ProductHired ● The Product Jobs ● Austin Product Manager Startup Jobs ● Remote PM Jobs ● Monster.com
  • 32. SUMMARY ● Do your research and be prepared ● Understand the different types of questions you’ll be asked ● PRACTICE ● PRACTICE ●PRACTICE!