Comments on: 7 questions software product managers must ask during a job interview

By: Arney

Arney — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:26:23 +0000

I could not agree more with your last comment and that can be very frustrating. I have learned that through personal experience. I researched the company, spoke to current and ex employees and when I joined, I still was surprised at the amount and type of politics. Different yardstick for everyone depending upon who knows/ knew who. Now I am just spending ENOUGH time in the company so that I don’t appear to be a job hopper on the resume and trying to figure out in the meantime, if I can be the “new” buddy of the powerplayer here. It is not something I am good at and is very stressful.

By: sudheendra

sudheendra — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:41:45 +0000

Is there any age preference for applying Product Manager position? What sort of interview questions are expected for an entry level PM or associate PM, having no background experience in management (hailing from pure technical side) ? How to get into Product Management full-time career ?

By: Susan CK

Susan CK — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:55:06 +0000

Your answer to #3 made me think about a different aspect of this question. I have worked with and interviewed with companies, those in particular in Silicon Valley, where marketing and engineering often seem at odds. Often PM’s are in their ivory tower and engineers are in the trenches. Sometimes Engineering was driving things and just tossing product over the fence to marketing, and in others product management gave most of the direction but engineers were rarely let out of the trenches. My best experiences were when the PM actually worked in the same space with the engineers teaming together giving both a feeling of equality. It also worked best when engineers got out in the field with PM’s when exploring new product specifications with customers. I’ve generally felt there is too much separation between engineering, marketing and even manufacturing which often puts everyone in a defensive stance.

By: saeed

saeed — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:10:40 +0000

Good post Gopal, though I think readers need to realize that while these are very good questions, a lot of what is said in interviews in response to these questions can be far from the truth, particularly for smaller companies.

It is often VERY difficult for founders to hand over the reins to Product Management unless there is a VERY strong PM executive on staff. And even then it can be a challenge.

Also, how companies describe their culture and what kind of culture they really have can be very different.

What company is going to say in an interview that they have a really political culture and there are some VERY strong personalities in Engineering who will push back hard on anything or anyone they see as stepping on their turf.

Or what company will admit that the founders will claim they want to be hands off, but in reality will regularly insert themselves into meetings and decisions uninvited because they are really micromanagers and don’t trust employees to make the right decisions.

Yet, I’m sure many of us have (unfortunately) had to deal with those kinds of cultures, but no matter how many of the right questions you ask, you’re going to only find out about these things AFTER you join the firm.

By: Product Management Reader: 8Jan09 | The Productologist: Exploring the Depths of Product Management

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:39:00 +0000

[...] Understanding the Product Management landscape in a company [Product Management Tips] [...]

By: brianhodgson

brianhodgson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:55:47 +0000

A good post. I believe you also need “alignment” in that engineering wants to work and take direction from product management and sales is willing to sell what is in te product and not drive new functionality with each deal. I would be interested in product managers views and strategy on this current economic climate. My recent post highlights some things from an executive perspective. http://fivepond.com/2008/12/30/the-economy-and-innovation/

By: What questions should I ask on a product management job interview?: Ask A Good Product Manager: Your product management questions answered

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:39:33 +0000

[...] The answers to above eight questions should allow you to get an overall picture on the role of product management within the company. For more details on how the answers will help you, read my blog article: Unearthing the product management landscape within a company [...]

By: bob corrigan

bob corrigan — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:21:35 +0000

I’ve found that when they give a definitive answer to question #4 ( Who determines the future direction of your products – marketing, sales or engineering? ) that you’re due for trouble. The future direction of the products should be determined collectively, taking input from all departments into the mix. That’s the magic role of PM – to help make decisions happen, not to make decisions.

By: gopalshenoy

gopalshenoy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:26:49 +0000

Martin,
I have experienced that before and it was like constantly hitting my head on the wall because people are entrenched in their ways because of the comfort factor.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:57:41 +0000

Very nice overview! And even when all the answers you get are “wrong” or not satisfying it could be a nice job. But then your first 6-12 months will most likely be spent teaching the company what product management is all about.

By: Susan Oakes

Susan Oakes — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:23:55 +0000

These are very good recommendations. I would add what is the management style of the person the product manager will report to. This is important as this person and the product manager must be able to work together.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:31:11 +0000

I think this is blended in item #4 but I would also say to ask who determines the priorities on the product roadmap. If it isn’t mostly the product management group based on customer/business needs I would shy away from that company.