The Top 10 Product Manager Interview Questions (And How To Answer Them)

Summary

This video offers insights into the top 10 product management interview questions frequently asked by leading tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. It covers a range of topics, from estimation and strategy to execution, technical challenges, analytical problems, and behavioral questions. The script emphasizes the importance of demonstrating thought processes, being opinionated yet open to feedback, and understanding metrics. It also highlights the significance of product design and sense, as well as the ability to discuss one's favorite product with passion and insight. Viewers are directed to a database of interview questions and resources to prepare for these inquiries effectively.

Takeaways

• 📊 Estimation Questions: The script emphasizes the importance of demonstrating your thought process in estimation interview questions, rather than providing the exact answer.
• 🚀 Strategy Questions: These assess your ability to think through complex, large-scale problems and envision company vision and constraints, with a focus on conversation and being opinionated yet open to feedback.
• 🔍 Execution Questions: These test analytical reasoning by asking you to scope down a problem and show your thought process, including isolating variables and identifying root causes.
• 💻 Technical Challenges: The script clarifies that technical interview questions are more about working with engineers and understanding technical constraints than actual coding or algorithm solving.
• 📈 Analytical Problems: It's crucial to understand how to use metrics, align them with company/product/feature goals, and determine specific measurements for success.
• 🌟 Behavioral Questions: These are conversational and aim to get to know you as a person, requiring honesty, genuineness, and tailoring your responses to the company culture.
• 🎨 Product Design Questions: They are about creative brainstorming and innovative problem-solving, asking you to think through user pain points and propose exciting solutions.
• 🛠 Favorite Product Question: This common interview question tests your thoughtfulness about product development and passion for product management, valuing genuine and interesting perspectives.
• 🔗 Interview Question Database: The script mentions a database of over a thousand interview questions from top-tier tech companies, available at tri-exponent dot com.
• 📚 Preparation Resources: Links to videos with examples of how to answer these questions are provided in the video description for further preparation.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of estimation interview questions?

The primary purpose of estimation interview questions is to assess a candidate's ability to break down large, complex problems into simpler solutions and to demonstrate their thought process rather than finding the exact answer.

How does the 'Should Google go into the ride sharing market?' question test a candidate's skills?

This strategy question tests a candidate's ability to think through complex problems on a large scale, including their ability to decide on a company's vision and consider business and product constraints, with a focus on open conversation and feedback.

What is the key aspect of execution interview questions in a product management interview?

Execution interview questions focus on a candidate's ability to reason through analytical problems with the interviewer, showcasing their thought process, how they isolate variables, and ask the right questions to get to the root cause of a problem.

Why are technical interview questions important for product managers?

Technical interview questions are important to assess a candidate's ability to work alongside engineers and operate under technical constraints, rather than testing their coding or algorithm-solving skills.

What is the significance of analytical problems in product management interviews?

Analytical problems are significant as they test a candidate's understanding of using metrics to align with company, product, or feature goals and to determine the specific measurements that will indicate success.

How do behavioral interview questions differ from other types of questions in a product management interview?

Behavioral interview questions are more conversational and focus on getting to know the candidate as a person, assessing their honesty, genuineness, and authenticity, as well as how well they fit the company culture.

What does the 'How would you improve the library?' question aim to evaluate in a candidate?

This product design or product sense question aims to evaluate a candidate's creative brainstorming and innovative problem-solving abilities, particularly their capacity to think through user pain points and propose thoughtful solutions.

Why is the 'Favorite product' question considered important in product management interviews?

The 'Favorite product' question is important because it tests a candidate's thoughtfulness about product development and their passion for product management, with an emphasis on authenticity and an interesting perspective on the chosen product.

What can candidates find at tri-exponent.com to help prepare for product management interviews?

Candidates can find a database of over a thousand interview questions recently asked by top-tier tech companies, as well as links to different videos that provide examples of how to answer various interview questions.

How can a candidate best approach the 'Estimate the number of restaurants in San Francisco' question?

A candidate should approach this question by demonstrating their thought process, breaking down the problem, considering nuances and trade-offs, and showing how they would simplify the complex problem into a manageable solution.