The Perfect Structure for Every Product Management Interview Question

7 simple steps to acing your next PM interview

After coaching hundreds of PM interview candidates via PMLesson.com, I’ve realized that every great PM interview response employs a common underlying structure. Depending on the question, an interviewee may need to define the set of users or mention prevailing tech trends.

Yet no matter what, these seven steps are crucial for a successful answer:

1. Listen & Take Notes

It may seem obvious, but this is the most important part of the interview. Don’t just listen, actively listen. Jot down notes as you hear the question for keywords or important points. Make frequent eye contact with the interviewer. Show interest and excitement to tackle the question.

2. Ask Clarifying Questions

Before answering the question, ask a question! No matter how straightforward the question is, ask clarifying questions to understand the question’s important details and your interviewer’s expectations.

Here are some sample questions you might ask:

• Is this product scoped to a particular set of users?
• What platforms are our users on?