Question Overview: As a senior product manager, you will be responsible for assessing the current state of a website or application. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they will evaluate the current state of the product and how they will determine what needs to be fixed.
Sample Answer: I will use the Pareto principle to determine what 20% of the issues are causing 80% of the problems. I will then focus on fixing those issues first.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. The applicant's response will help you gauge how well they can handle unexpected changes and if they are able to remain focused on the task at hand.
Sample Answer: In my last position, we were given a one-week deadline to complete a project. I was able to get the team together and we were able to complete the project on time.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with negative people and know how to handle them in a professional manner. The applicant's response will help you gauge their ability to deal with difficult people and how they handle stressful situations.
Sample Answer: I always try to remain positive when dealing with negative people. I know that they are likely having a bad day and do not mean to be rude. I try to find out what is bothering them and work with them to resolve the issue.
Question Overview: As a product manager, you should be aware of the current state of your industry and what is going on in the world. The ideal candidate will be able to think on their feet and come up with a project that would help the local economy.
Sample Answer: If I was in an elevator with the mayor, I would suggest that we create a mobile application that allows citizens to report issues in their neighborhoods. This would allow the city to fix problems faster and increase citizen satisfaction.
Question Overview: Product managers are responsible for the success of a product. The ideal applicant will have the ability to explain how they can help the company succeed and how they will be able to contribute to the company's bottom line.
Sample Answer: I can help increase sales by creating a product that is easy to use and meets the needs of my customers. I can also help reduce costs by finding ways to cut down on expenses and improve efficiency.
Question Overview: Clients can be demanding and it is the responsibility of a project manager to ensure that the client's needs are met. The ideal candidate will have experience with clients who are constantly changing their minds and how they respond to such situations.
Sample Answer: In my last position, the client was constantly changing their mind about what they wanted. I would sit down with them and explain that we could not continue to work on the project until they were sure of what they wanted.
Question Overview: Kanban is a method of managing work that is often used in agile environments. The ideal candidate will have experience with the method and be able to explain how it works.
Sample Answer: I have been using kanban for the past two years. I find it to be a great way to keep track of tasks and ensure that they are completed on time.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have researched the company and know why they are interested in working for the organization. The applicant's response will help you determine if they are truly interested in the company or if they are just looking for a job.
Sample Answer: I have been interested in your company for years and would love to work with your team. I am a huge fan of your products and believe that I can bring value to your organization.
Question Overview: Project managers are responsible for many different tasks and it is important to be able to explain the role to others. The ideal candidate will be able to explain the role in a way that is easy for others to understand.
Sample Answer: I would explain that project managers are like the coaches of a sports team. They are responsible for making sure that everyone is working together and staying on track.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a passion for the field of project management and will be able to explain why they want to be a project manager. Do they mention the ability to work with different teams?
Sample Answer: I have always been interested in the way people work together to complete a project. I want to be a project manager because I want to help others succeed and ensure that projects are completed on time.