Pacific Business Daily

How to Answer Interview Questions for Product Manager Position?

I'm going in for an interview soon. I'm not that great in interviews. Are there some tips? I'm an entry-level - great worker, very ethical. How do I answer hard questions? & what kind of hard questions are there?

Public Comments

1. There are a ton. Check out my website under "Useful Books" and check out "Knock'Em Dead." This book lists numerous tough interview questions, why they are asked and how best to answer them. Read this book, or any like it, and you will be much more relaxed and ahead of your competition. Good luck!
2. One bit of advice is to watch out for the "What would you do if an employee did <blank>..." questions. Most of the time the interviewer knows what he/she would do, and if you only give a single answer, and it isn't the one they want, it can diminish their opinion of you. Therefore, it's best to give more than one answer, with a lot qualifying side-commentary like "Depending on certain OTHER information that might come into play, such as the person's previous history with The Company, body language, vocal intonation, etc. I might make some allowance and try to work with the person. However, if the situation is more serious, such as sexual harrassment, or illegal behaviors that could put The Company in jeopardy of being sued or brought up on criminal charges, I'd probably fire the individual. And if they ask if you've ever stolen from an employer; "I don't mess (or other expletive) where I eat!" is a good reply, with the usual "But I will admit that I have, on occasion, found a ball point pen that has hitched a ride home, and I didn't agonize over bringing it back!"
3. I currently work with Product Managers, so here are some things that I have noticed. If you interview with Engineers they will ask you specific technical questions or questions related to the structure of the last company you worked for. That stuff is relatively easy to answer, just make sure you are up on your current companies org chart. They will also want to see the products you managed or worked with in school, so have some pictures ready to show and tell if possible. The managers are more likely to ask you situational questions, "tell me a time when your resources were limited and you had to share those with three other teams who were behind schedule." "how do you communicate bad news to a customer" etc. If you are truly entry level, they will ask you questions about college involvement most likely. Lastly - being great in interviews is all about body language. Prep yourself the night before. Have everything laid out and ready to go, including 3 extra copies of your resume and references, and product portfolio if applicable. Make sure your clothes are ironed, not starched, and if you are a guy clean shaven, if you are a girl, make up shouldn't reflect even a hint of "Mimi" from the Drew Carey show. Shoes should be polished and something you can walk fast in. Read up on Ashtanga breathing on the internet, and do it on the way to the interview, this will calm your nerves. When you get there, pop a couple breath mints. Be sure to look people in the eye when they speak to you, keep up with them when they walk (not keeping up with a fast walker is a deal breaker!). Make sure the interviewer finishes their question before answering. You can do this by counting to two or three if needed. When you feel tense or nervous, lean back in your chair, and if possible rest your elbows on the handles and put your finger tips together, and bring them up to your chin. It's not obvious, practice it so you know what I mean. This indicates to the interviewer you are gathering your thoughts and it will actually help you gather your thoughts, and calm you down. This is probably just the first in many many lifetime interviews. You'll get better as you go along.