Know Thy Candidate: The Top Interview Questions for Hiring the Best Product Managers

When it comes to hiring product managers and designers in tech, finding the right fit for your company can be a challenging task. Because these roles are critical to the success of your product, it's important to ask the right questions during the interview process to ensure that you find someone who aligns with your company culture and has the skills and experience needed to excel in the role. In this blog post, we'll cover some of the most important questions to ask when interviewing product managers and designers in tech.

Can you walk me through your design or product development process?

This question can help you understand the candidate's approach to problem-solving, as well as their experience in designing and developing products. You can also gauge their level of experience and the tools they use to develop products.

Can you tell me about a time when you faced a major challenge in your product development and how you overcame it?

This question can give you insights into the candidate's problem-solving skills, their ability to work under pressure, and their ability to work with a team to find solutions.

Can you explain your experience working with cross-functional teams and how you collaborate with them to get things done?

Product managers and designers often need to work with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, and marketing. This question can help you determine if the candidate has the necessary communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with these teams.

Can you give an example of a product that you developed and how you validated its success?

This question can help you understand the candidate's approach to product validation and their ability to measure the success of a product. You can also get a sense of their understanding of customer needs and their ability to gather and analyse data.

How do you prioritise features and decide what to include in a product release?

This question can give you insights into the candidate's product development process and how they make decisions about what features to include in a product release. You can also gauge their ability to make difficult decisions and their ability to balance competing priorities.

Can you tell me about a time when you had to present a product to stakeholders, including customers and investors?

This question can help you understand the candidate's presentation skills, as well as their ability to effectively communicate the value of a product to stakeholders.

How do you stay up-to-date with new developments and trends in the industry?

This question can give you insights into the candidate's level of interest in the industry, as well as their ability to stay informed and continuously learn.

In conclusion, these questions can help you determine if the candidate has the necessary skills, experience, and mindset to be successful as a product manager or designer in tech. By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of the candidate's abilities and determine if they would be the right fit for your company.