Mock Product Manager Interview (Microsoft PM): Design Product For Moving Cities

Summary

In this PM lesson live mock interview, Jen Lee, a Microsoft PM, discusses designing a product to enhance the experience of moving to a new city, focusing on new grads. She outlines the importance of engagement and user satisfaction as key performance indicators. Jen presents a furniture rental concept integrated with apartment complexes, offering customizable themes and a seamless rental experience. The interview delves into user segments, product features, and the influence of interior design, emphasizing the emotional connection of creating a 'home away from home.'

Takeaways

• 🎓 Jen Lee, a Microsoft PM, shares her experience with product management and the interview process, emphasizing the importance of understanding the target user segment deeply.
• 🏙 The interview focuses on designing a product for improving the experience of moving to a new city, highlighting the challenges faced by different user segments such as new grads, new families, and the elderly.
• 🤔 Jen suggests starting with clarifying questions to understand the user's life stage and the company's KPIs, which is crucial for product design and strategy.
• 👩‍🎓 Identifying the new grads as a key target segment, Jen discusses their needs, including finding housing, building a social life, and addressing logistical needs in a new city.
• 🛋️ The product concept proposed is a furniture rental service for new grads, aiming to ease the process of setting up a new home and offering a sense of 'home away from home'.
• 💰 The furniture rental service would be integrated with the rent payment, making it a seamless and cost-effective addition to the tenant's monthly expenses.
• 🎨 The service offers different themes and customization options, allowing tenants to personalize their living space according to their tastes and preferences.
• 🔗 Building a strong relationship with apartment complexes is key to the success of the furniture rental service, as it provides a turnkey solution for new tenants.
• 📈 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the product include user engagement, satisfaction, and the duration of lease renewals, which reflect the quality of the user experience.
• 🚫 Risks and concerns for the product include dependency on apartment complexes, the need for high-touch relationships, and potential issues with furniture maintenance and depreciation.
• 💡 Creative ideas such as influencer partnerships and data-driven insights can enhance the product, making it more appealing to the target market and adaptable to their needs.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the live mock interview session?

The main focus of the live mock interview session is to discuss product management interview questions and explore the thought process behind answering them, with a particular emphasis on designing a product that improves the experience of moving to a new city.

Who is Jen Lee and what is her background?

Jen Lee is a product manager at Microsoft who graduated from Princeton University in 2017. She has experience working on Azure compute and has been involved in the startup scene, making her well-suited to discuss PM interview questions and share insights from her experience.

What are the three main user segments Jen identifies for the product design?

The three main user segments Jen identifies are new grads moving to urban cities for new job opportunities, new families looking to settle down, and the elderly population, particularly those aged sixty-five and above, who might be looking for a place to retire.

What are the key pain points for new grads moving to a new city?

The key pain points for new grads moving to a new city include finding housing, establishing a social life, and dealing with various logistical needs such as setting up utilities, banking, and healthcare.

Why does Jen choose to focus on the housing aspect for new grads?

Jen chooses to focus on the housing aspect because it is a critical need for new grads and has a significant impact on their overall experience in a new city. It is also an area where the cost is high and can be leveraged to tap into the disposable income of the target demographic.

What is the proposed solution for furnishing a new apartment for new grads?

The proposed solution is a furniture rental product that allows new grads to rent furniture as part of their apartment amenities, making the process of setting up their home more convenient and cost-effective.

How does the furniture rental product address the issue of furniture depreciation?

The furniture rental product addresses depreciation by using a security deposit model similar to that of an apartment lease. This allows the company to recover costs associated with furniture maintenance or replacement.

What are the potential benefits of working with apartment complexes for the furniture rental product?

Working with apartment complexes can streamline the process of furnishing units, potentially increase occupancy rates by offering a turnkey living solution, and allow for规模化的 marketing efforts by targeting holding companies that own multiple apartment complexes.

How does Jen plan to engage users with the furniture rental product beyond just renewing their lease?

Jen suggests engaging users through influencer partnerships with interior designers to create unique and personalized furniture sets. This approach can increase user interest and satisfaction, potentially leading to longer lease renewals and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

What are some potential risks or concerns with the furniture rental product idea?

Some potential risks include a high dependency on the relationship with apartment complexes, the need for careful negotiation regarding maintenance and furniture replacement, and the challenge of ensuring user satisfaction with the customization options offered.

How does Jen approach the question of whether existing solutions already meet the needs of the target market?

Jen approaches this by focusing on current user behavior and needs without the product, making assumptions about incumbent solutions, and identifying areas where the proposed product can offer a better user experience or additional value.