{"id":78354,"date":"2022-06-15T17:53:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T16:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prodpad.com\/?p=78354"},"modified":"2025-01-13T16:25:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T16:25:52","slug":"how-to-run-a-product-manager-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prodpad.com\/blog\/how-to-run-a-product-manager-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Run a Product Manager Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Running a product manager interview and hiring a product manager often depends less on what they\u2019ve done<\/em> and more on how they think<\/em>. In a traditional interview process, and using traditional evaluation methods like reading a CV, it can be really hard to suss out who has a great product mind versus, well, not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is a follow-up to the previous Product Manager Interview Preparation For The Win<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s my advice on how to design an effective interview process for a prospective PM: how to structure an interview, who to involve, what to ask, and how to test their skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In short, it all comes down to three interview tactics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Focusing on soft skills<\/li>
  2. Testing those skills<\/li>
  3. Exploring team compatibility<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Looking at job history doesn\u2019t cut it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Someone\u2019s work experience<\/a>, as listed on a CV, doesn\u2019t actually tell much about their experience as a product manager, much less their ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Spot a big brand name? That seems promising. But a product manager from a well-known product company can be disguised by the fact that they worked for a well-funded company with a great team around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the other end of the spectrum, some companies can\u2019t do their PMs justice. Some great product minds might have been starved due to bad culture, poor management, or strapped resources. Their CV doesn\u2019t shine, but they\u2019re actually a bright product manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to find the best fit for your team, it\u2019s important you look beyond the piece of paper and ask potential PMs the right questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Dots<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Focus on the soft skills of product management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In the interview portion, ask for stories and situations to understand their behaviors. Ditch the common PM questions like, \u201cWhy is a manhole cover round?\u201d or about how many piano tuners there are in Chicago! Instead, direct your questions to something more real and personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product manager interview tactic 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Start with the prompt \u201cTell me about a time when\u2026\u201d and follow it up with tricky situations that a PM might run into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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