How to Answer ANY Product Management Interview Question

Summary

In this video, Steven, a former Google product manager and co-founder of Exponent, shares essential tips for acing product management interviews. He emphasizes the importance of active listening, asking clarifying questions, pausing to think, structuring answers, explaining your thought process, pivoting when necessary, and summarizing your response. These strategies ensure clear communication and a memorable impression on the hiring team.

Takeaways

• 👂 Active Listening: The script emphasizes the importance of actively listening and taking notes during an interview, noting keywords and important points.
• 🔍 Clarifying Questions: It's crucial to ask clarifying questions to understand the interviewer's expectations and details, even if the question seems straightforward.
• 🤔 Pause and Think: Before answering, it's recommended to pause for a moment to consider the approach, which can improve the quality of the response.
• 📝 Structured Answer: The script suggests structuring the answer in a clear way, possibly using a three-point format, and communicating this structure to the interviewer.
• 🖊️ Visual Aids: Using visual aids like a whiteboard or diagram can help in presenting a structured answer and make it easier for the interviewer to follow.
• 💡 Explain Thoroughly: Dive into the details of the answer, explaining the thought process clearly and confidently, making good use of eye contact and body language.
• 🔄 Pivot and Check-In: If the interviewer shows concern or if the answer seems flawed, it's important to pivot smoothly and check in with the interviewer to ensure alignment.
• 🕒 Request Time: If forgetting a point, it's acceptable to ask for more time to think, rather than rushing through a potentially flawed answer.
• 🔚 Summarize: At the end of the answer, summarize the key points in a concise manner, reinforcing the structure and points made earlier in the response.
• 📈 Follow-up Resources: The video offers additional resources for interview preparation, such as courses, coaching, and a community of experts through Exponent.
• 📺 Subscribe and Engage: Encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and engage with the content for better visibility and to support the channel's growth on YouTube.

Q & A

Why is it important to actively listen and take notes during a product management interview?

Active listening and note-taking are crucial for capturing keywords and important points in the question. This shows the interviewer that you are interested and excited to answer, which can make you memorable to the hiring team.

How can showing enthusiasm and interest benefit a candidate in a product management interview?

Enthusiasm and interest can make a candidate stand out as memorable to the hiring team when they compare notes, which is a significant factor in the interview process.

What is the significance of asking clarifying questions before answering in a PM interview?

Asking clarifying questions ensures that you understand the most important details and the interviewer's expectations, which helps in providing a more accurate and relevant response.

What are some sample clarifying questions one might ask during a product management interview?

Sample questions include inquiring about the product scope for a particular set of users, the platforms used by the users, whether the launch is international or domestic, or confirming the task at hand.

Why is it recommended to pause and think before answering a question in a PM interview?

Pausing for 10 to 15 seconds allows the interviewee to consider their approach, leading to a more coherent and cogent response, which is appreciated by interviewers.

What is the recommended structure for delivering an answer in a product management interview?

A simple and effective structure is a three-point answer, which can be communicated to the interviewer and visually represented on a whiteboard or diagram.

How can a candidate effectively explain their thought process during a PM interview?

By diving into the details of their answer, confidently explaining their thought process, making eye contact, and using visual aids like a whiteboard or diagrams.

What should a candidate do if they realize their answer is wrong during a PM interview?

They should figure out a smooth way to pivot mid-answer, acknowledging the flaw and shifting their response towards a corrected direction.

How can a candidate handle forgetting the point they were making during an interview?

If a candidate forgets their point, they should ask for a few moments to think, and if necessary, pivot gracefully to skip over the missing information.

Why is summarizing the answer at the end of the interview response important?

Summarizing helps to reiterate the key points made during the interview, ensuring clarity and reinforcing the structure of the response in the interviewer's mind.

What resources does Exponent offer to help candidates prepare for product management interviews?

Exponent offers in-depth interview courses, private coaching, and a community of experts to help candidates prepare for even the toughest PM interview questions.