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Introduction:
Are you feeling anxious about your upcoming product management interview? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It’s natural to feel nervous. But with the tips and tricks I’m about to share in this podcast, you can boost your confidence and nail that interview. So let’s dive in and learn how to prepare for a product management interview like a pro.
Introduction:
Hey there, it’s your host, Sachin Sharma, a seasoned product manager with over 10 years of experience. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding over 1,000 aspiring product managers on their journey towards success. With this podcast, I aim to share even more valuable insights on product management to help you excel in your career. If you’re looking to level up your skills and stand out from the crowd, then you’re in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode without any further delay.
Preparation Time Allocation:
One of the most important questions that candidates have is how much time they should spend preparing for their product management interview. Ideally, you should allocate at least 5 to 10 hours to prepare for the interview. In initial interviews, it might take more time to prepare, but eventually, it will start reducing. Try using the 20-40-40 rule. Begin by dedicating 20% of your time to researching your specific role in the company, as well as the industry and sector as a whole. This will help you anticipate any questions related to the company or the industry’s history that the interviewer may ask. It will also give you an edge over others.
Next, spend 40% of your time identifying predictable questions the interviewer may ask, such as common interview questions like your introduction, why you want to get into this role, why you want to join that company, etc. This will help you develop well-structured and thoughtful answers that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
Finally, allocate the remaining 40% of your time to answering the questions you have identified. Practicing your answers can help you become more articulate and confident during the interview. Consider recording yourself and listening back to your responses to identify areas where you can improve and play to your strengths. I personally use this technique a lot and improve myself. I use Zoom to make a recording while speaking and then review it for improvement.
Researching the Company:
The second part is doing research about the company. It’s a crucial part as it will help you understand the company’s mission, values, culture, and the products. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions better, but it will also help you determine whether the company is the right fit for you or not. I always emphasize only applying to those companies that are a good fit for you, that are your dream companies. Here are some tips to help you research a company before the interview:
- Visit the company’s website and read about their products, services, and mission statement.
- Check the company’s social media accounts to get a sense of their brand, image, and culture.
- Read recent news articles and press releases about the company to stay up to date with their latest developments.
- Reach out to current or former employees of the company to gain insights into their work culture. You can easily connect with them on LinkedIn.
Researching the Interviewer:
Another important part is researching the interviewer. This will help you build rapport with them and gain an understanding of their expectations. Here are some ways you can research your interviewer:
- Check their LinkedIn profile to get a sense of their background and work experience.
- Look for their name on Google to see if they have authored any articles or participated in speaking engagements. Try to find common interests or connections between you and the interviewer to build a personal connection. This can give you an edge in the interview.
Resume Review:
Another important part is reviewing your resume. Your resume is one of the most critical documents that the interviewer will have in front of them during the interview. So it’s important to be prepared to answer any questions related to your resume. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Review your resume thoroughly and identify any potential areas of weaknesses or gaps in your experience.
- Prepare to discuss your past work experiences in detail, highlighting your achievements and contributions.
- Be ready to explain any gaps in your resume or job hopping.
- Make a list of questions that can be asked from your resume and have answers ready for them. This level of preparation will be very helpful.
Interview Question Types:
Then comes another part of the interview: Design Questions, Favorite Product Questions, Guesstimates, Behavioral, and Root Cause Analysis Questions. These are very common in a management interview, so prepare well for these questions. Preparation is the key to success. It’s the only god in an interview.
Conclusion:
The final tip for you is to consider an interview as an opportunity to learn and connect with new people. Don’t get demotivated by rejection. This journey requires a lot of effort, rejections, and a lot of resilience. And that’s it for today’s podcast. I hope you enjoyed it and learned a lot about product management. Before you go, I want to remind you that you can be part of my community by joining my upcoming free training on Catchupwithsachin.com/saw-live, where catch-up is spelled as teacup with sky and session.com/saw-live. Take action, and let me help you even more in my community. For those of you who are already part of my community and are making progress, I highly recommend upgrading to the Diamond membership. This will give you the opportunity to upgrade your product management skills, fast-track your progress, and surround yourself with like-minded achievers and action-takers. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to take your career to the next level.
