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: 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: 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: 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 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.
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 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 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: 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: 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: Product managers are often responsible for convincing others to see things their way. The ideal candidate will have experience with this and be able to explain how they were able to convince others to see their point of view.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had to convince an engineer that we should not use a certain type of code in our application. I was able to do so by explaining that the code was not compatible with our current system and would cause more issues than it would solve.
Question Overview: As a senior product manager, you will likely be in charge of multiple projects at once. The ideal applicant will have experience managing multiple projects and will be able to explain how they prioritize tasks.
Sample Answer: I prioritize my projects based on the timeline and the amount of work that needs to be done. I always make sure that I am aware of my team's workload and adjust my schedule accordingly.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they will be able to help the company succeed. The applicant's response will allow you to gauge if the individual is a good fit for the position and if they are aware of the responsibilities that come with the job.
Sample Answer: I will add value to the company by helping it to reach its goals. I will be able to work with the team to ensure that we are on schedule and that we are meeting our deadlines. I will also be able to help with any issues that arise during the development process.
Question Overview: A large-scale project is one that involves many people and a lot of work. The ideal applicant will have experience with such projects and be able to explain how they were able to succeed or fail.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I was in charge of a large-scale project that involved the development of a new application. The project was a success because we were able to launch the product on time and within budget.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience with projects that are more complex than others. The individual's response will help you gauge their experience with projects that are more difficult to manage.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I worked on a project that required me to work with multiple departments to ensure that the product was completed correctly. I was able to work with the marketing team to create a product that was well received by the public.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to present a report in a way that is easy to understand. The applicant's response will allow you to gauge their ability to communicate with others in a clear and concise manner.
Sample Answer: I would present the following information on this dashboard:
Question Overview: As a senior product manager, you will be responsible for many tasks. The ideal candidate will have experience with the following:
Sample Answer: I have experience with all of the above and am confident that I can be an asset to your company.
Question Overview: Agile environments are often used in software development. The ideal candidate will have experience working in such an environment and will be able to explain how they work with the team to ensure that the product is being developed as quickly as possible.
Sample Answer: I like to work in an Agile environment because it allows me to be flexible with my schedule. I can work on tasks at any time of the day and can change my schedule if needed.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to explain their career path and how they have grown professionally. The applicant's response will help you understand their experience and if they are a good fit for the position.
Sample Answer: I started out as a software engineer and after a few years, I became a project manager. I was promoted to senior project manager after three years and now I am applying for a product manager position.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a few years of experience in the digital industry. The applicant's response will help you gauge their experience with the industry and if they are able to keep up with the latest trends.
Sample Answer: I have been working in the digital industry for over five years. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and stay up-to-date on the latest trends.