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: 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: 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.
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: 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: 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: Product managers are often in charge of handling issues regarding a product. The ideal candidate will have the ability to explain how they overcame a problem in the past. Did they use their own resources to fix the issue?
Sample Answer: In my last position, I was unable to get a customer to agree with our terms for a new product. I was able to negotiate with the customer and get them to agree to our terms.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will be familiar with the different development methodologies and be able to explain how they are used. The individual's response will help you understand how well they can work with a team and if they are familiar with the latest trends in the industry.
Sample Answer: I use Agile development methodology because it allows for constant feedback from my team members and allows us to make changes as we go.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have a positive experience with the Army Corps of Engineers. They will be able to explain how they have been able to work with the team and what they have learned from the experience.
Sample Answer: I have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers for three years and have learned a lot about their processes. I have been able to utilize this knowledge to help my team meet our deadlines and ensure that our products are released on time.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have experience with difficult problems and will be able to explain how they were able to overcome them. The candidate's response will allow you to gauge their problem-solving skills and how they handle stressful situations.
Sample Answer: I was working on a project that was not going as planned and the deadline was quickly approaching. I had to find a way to get the team back on track and complete the project in time for the deadline.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to present data in a way that is easy to understand. The applicant's response will help you gauge their ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Sample Answer: I would present the Program Manager with a Gantt chart that shows the tasks that are on the critical path. This will allow them to see what needs to be completed first and what can be delayed.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of what it means to win. Does the individual want to win at all costs or do they value the team's success over their own?
Sample Answer: Winning means that my team and I have completed a project that we can all be proud of.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will be well-read and have a variety of interests. The applicant's response will allow you to gauge their interests and if they are well-rounded.
Sample Answer: I recently read "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries and "The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen. I am currently reading "The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook" by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones.
Question Overview: Everyone makes mistakes. The ideal candidate will be able to explain a time when they failed and how they overcame it. Did they learn from the mistake? Did they take steps to ensure that it would not happen again?
Sample Answer: I once failed to meet a deadline for a project. I was able to overcome this by working with my team to ensure that we were all on the same page and that we were all working hard to meet the deadline.
Question Overview: Projects can often be ambiguous and lack a clear direction. The ideal candidate will have the ability to move along a project in a way that is beneficial to the company. Did the applicant mention that they would meet with key stakeholders to discuss the project?
Sample Answer: In my last position, I met with key stakeholders to discuss the project and found that they were not clear on what they wanted. I had to work with them to create a plan of action and ensure that everyone was on the same page.
Question Overview: It is important to know what a candidate is currently making so that you can determine if you are able to offer a competitive salary. The ideal applicant will be honest about their current salary and will be able to explain why they are looking for a new position.
Sample Answer: I am currently making $100,000 annually and am looking for a position that will allow me to grow professionally.