Top Product Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Product Manager interview by going through these most asked Product Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that gives you a chance to see how the candidate thinks on his or her feet.

    Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, which can be a strength and a weakness. I want to do things right the first time, so I spend extra time on tasks and I'm not always as fast as I'd like to be. On the other hand, I'm very thorough and I don't leave anything to chance.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-aware
    • - Honest
    • - No "I don't have any weaknesses"

  • Question: What was a challenging situation you faced?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate reacts to stressful situations. It also gives you insight into how the candidate thinks and makes decisions.

    Sample Answer: I was working on a project that was running over budget and behind schedule. I had to work with my team to find ways to cut costs and get the project back on track. We had to make some tough decisions, but we were able to finish the project on time and under budget.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Logical thinking
    • - Problem-solving skills
    • - Communication skills

  • Question: How much budget do you think is required to maintain Facebook Photos?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate has researched your products and knows enough to speak about them with familiarity. It also gives you real-time insight into the candidate's communication and prioritization skills.

    Sample Answer: I would say at least $10 million per year. For example, Facebook Photos is used by more than 500 million people, and they upload more than 300 million photos every day. The site is also available in more than 50 languages.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - User testimonials
    • - Specific product features
    • - Cost-benefit overvie

  • Question: Why should we hire you over other candidates?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks on his or her feet. It's also a good way to see how the candidate will sell your product to others.

    Sample Answer: I'm a great fit for this position because I have a proven track record of working with teams to develop products that are both innovative and profitable. I've also worked with a variety of different companies, so I know how to adapt my approach to fit with different cultures and work styles.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specifics
    • - Confidence
    • - Passion

  • Question: What would you change about the product?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate is a good listener and can think critically.

    Sample Answer: I'd change the color of the packaging. I know that sounds superficial, but it's a proven way to increase sales. Consumers are more likely to buy a product if it's in a color they like.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Logical answer
    • - Reasoning
    • - No "I wouldn't change anything"

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out if the candidate is really interested in your company.

    Sample Answer: I'm interested in working for your company because I love the products you make. I've been using them for years, and I think they're the best on the market. I also love the company culture, which is very friendly and collaborative.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Genuine interest
    • - Specifics
    • - Cultural fit

  • Question: How would you find the number of times 1 appears on a digital clock in a 24 hour period?
  • Question Overview: This question tests the candidate's ability to work with numbers and to think creatively.

    Sample Answer: I would use a formula that multiplies the hours by the minutes, then divides by 60.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Creative solution
    • - Knowledge of basic math
    • - Knowledge of time

  • Question: How will you output a tree in column sequence from left to right?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the candidate's logic and problem-solving skills.

    Sample Answer: I would first output the leftmost column, then the rightmost column. I would then output the leftmost column again, but this time from right to left.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Logical answer
    • - Explanation of the why
    • - Algorithm

  • Question: What's your favorite product and how would you improve it?
  • Question Overview: This question gives you insight into the candidate's creativity and ability to think outside the box.

    Sample Answer: I love the Kindle because it's so light and easy to read. I'd improve it by making it waterproof and adding a backlight so that it's easier to read in the dark.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Originality
    • - Practicality
    • - Thoughtfulness

  • Question: How were you involved in the success of a product launch?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate has experience with product launches. It also gives you insight into the candidate's communication and prioritization skills.

    Sample Answer: I was involved in the success of a product launch by providing a detailed launch plan to the team. I also made sure that we were able to meet our timeline by scheduling weekly meetings with the team.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific involvement
    • - Communication
    • - Prioritization

  • Question: How will you find the number of gas stations in the UK?
  • Question Overview: This question tests the candidate's ability to think on their feet and use the resources available to them.

    Sample Answer: I would use a search engine to look for "gas stations in the UK." I would then look at the first page of results and click on the links that seem most relevant. I would also search for "gas stations in the UK" on Wikipedia and read through the list of results.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Logical approach
    • - Research skills
    • - Ability to work with a team

  • Question: How will you get along with their current employees?
  • Question Overview: You want to know if the candidate will be a good fit with your team.

    Sample Answer: I'm a team player who's always willing to learn new things. I'm also a good communicator who can work well with others. I've worked with people from many different backgrounds, so I know how to communicate with people from different cultures.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Team player
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Willingness to learn

  • Question: How would you build a better gmail?
  • Question Overview: This question tests the candidate's ability to think outside the box and come up with a creative solution.

    Sample Answer: I would make it easier to search for emails. I would also add a feature that allows you to set up automatic replies to emails from specific people. For example, you could set up an automatic reply that says you're on vacation and will get back to the person when you return.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Creative solution
    • - Logical solution
    • - How the solution is impleme

  • Question: If you are hosting a celebrity website and suddenly notice a drop in traffic to your site/clicks on ads, how do you root cause the issue?
  • Question Overview: You want to see how the candidate thinks and approaches problems.

    Sample Answer: I would first look at the website's analytics to see if there's been a drop in traffic. I would then check for any changes in the site's content or layout. If I still couldn't find anything, I would check the website's backlinks to see if there were any changes that could have affected the traffic.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Logical approach
    • - Attention to detail
    • - Ability to prioritize

  • Question: What did you learn from your failure?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate is able to learn from mistakes and move on.

    Sample Answer: I learned that I should have done more research before launching a product. I was too eager to get it out there, and it didn't sell as well as I'd hoped. I also learned that I should have listened more to my team's concerns about the product's design.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A true answer
    • - No "I don't make mistakes"
    • - A lesson learned

  • Question: What do you know about Amazon Web Services?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate is familiar with your industry and your company's competitors.

    Sample Answer: I know that Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform that allows companies to rent processing power and storage space. It's a great alternative to building your own data center, as it's cheaper and more flexible. I also know that it's used by many companies in the tech industry, including Amazon, Netflix and Airbnb.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific knowledge
    • - Industry knowledge
    • - Knowledge of your comp

  • Question: How would you design the architecture for an URL shortening service?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about design and how technical they are.

    Sample Answer: I would use a database to store the URLs and a separate database to store the shortened URLs. I would also use a load balancer to distribute traffic among multiple servers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Technical answer
    • - Practical solution
    • - Knowledge of consumer practices

  • Question: What data would you need to make a decision?
  • Question Overview: This question checks that the candidate knows how to gather and evaluate data. It also shows how the candidate thinks about data and whether he or she is a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I would need to know how many users are affected by the problem, how often it occurs and whether it's a problem with the product or with the user's device. I would also need to know what other products are affected and whether similar problems have occurred in the past.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Data sources
    • - Data collection methods
    • - Data evaluation methods

  • Question: How will you improve our company?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about the company's future.

    Sample Answer: I'll start by researching your competitors and learning more about your customers. I'll then develop a plan to improve your product and marketing strategies. I'll also work with your staff to make sure they're happy and productive.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A true answer
    • - No "I don't know"
    • - A plan of action
    • - A specific idea