6 Tips to Nail Your Product Manager Interview

4 min readMay 1, 2023

I landed a PM role without any experience using these tips (so can you!)

As someone who recently transitioned to product management (2 years ago), I know firsthand how intimidating the interview process can be. But fear not, my friend!

With my experience and some practical tips, I can help you rock that interview. I’ll share five tips that have helped me land a job offer without any Product Experience. We’ll discuss:

Pre-interview Research
Problem-Solving (the key factor)
Relevant Past Experiences
Be Passionate (it will make you stand out)
Ask the right questions (always)
Show off your core knowledge(at least)

Let’s dive in and get you ready to crush that interview!

Know your product inside and out

As a Product Manager, it is essential to know your product inside and out. This includes understanding its features, benefits, and limitations. Before you go into an interview, make sure you research the company and the product thoroughly.

This will help you understand how the product fits into the market and identify areas where it can be improved.

Research the company and the product
Identify areas where the product can be improved
Understand the product’s features, benefits, and limitations
Be prepared to answer questions about the product

Show off your problem-solving skills

Problem-solving is a key skill for Product Managers. In an interview, you may be asked to solve a hypothetical problem or given a real-world example to work through.

Use this as an opportunity to showcase your ability to break down complex problems, identify solutions, and think outside the box.

Be prepared to solve hypothetical problems
Showcase your ability to break down complex problems
Identify solutions and think outside the box
Use real-world examples to illustrate your problem-solving skills

Emphasize your cross-functional experience

Product Managers work closely with various teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and sales. In an interview, it is crucial to emphasize your cross-functional experience and highlight your ability to collaborate effectively.

Highlight your cross-functional experience
Emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively
Discuss your experience working with engineering, design, marketing, and sales teams
Provide examples of successful cross-functional collaboration

Be Passionate about the Job

Product Managers are passionate about their products and are always looking for ways to improve them. In an interview, it is essential to demonstrate your passion for the product and show that you are committed to making a difference.

Demonstrate your passion for the product
Show that you are committed to making a difference
Discuss your experience working on products and what you have learned
Highlight your related experience

Ask the right questions

Asking the right questions during an interview can help you understand the company’s culture, vision, and goals. It can also help you identify any potential challenges or opportunities.

Ask questions about the company’s culture, vision, and goals
Understand the company’s product roadmap
Identify any potential challenges or opportunities
Ask for feedback on your performance in the interview

Highlight your Knowledge about Product Lifecycle

As an aspiring Product Manager, it’s important to highlight your knowledge of the product lifecycle during interviews.

This includes understanding UI/UX design principles, having a basic understanding of technical concepts, and being familiar with software development methodologies.

Here are some tips to help you showcase your knowledge:

Highlight any relevant courses, certifications, or personal projects related to product management
Use industry jargon and demonstrate a clear understanding of technical terms (APIs, Back-end, Front-end, Databases, etc)
Discuss any experience you have collaborating with cross-functional teams
Be prepared to give examples of how you tackled a complex problem in your last job or any previous work.

Show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about new tools and methodologies. Remember, even if you don’t have direct experience in product management, highlighting your knowledge of the product lifecycle and your willingness to learn can help you stand out in interviews.

Conclusion

These tips will help you nail your next product management interview. They certainly helped me land a high-quality Product Role, without any prior experience.

Remember, confidence is key, and it’s okay to admit when you don’t know something. Just be honest, stay curious, and keep learning.

And if all else fails, just tell them you have a ChatGPT on your side. It knows everything! (Well, almost everything). Best of luck!