30 Principal Product Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Principal Product Manager interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Ask The Interviewer
1. What type of talent development opportunities would be available for me if I were to be hired?
The Goal
The goal of asking this question in an interview is to ensure that you will have access to leaders who can help you continue to grow professionally. Principal product managers are senior-level resources with extensive expertise, but it is important that a company offer opportunities for candidates to grow along a path that adds value to their career.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to ask if there are product management roles within the company that are more senior than the principal level such as director/senior director of product management, VP of product management, or chief product officer. In the event these roles exist, the individuals working within them are likely potential mentors and resources that can help you grow professionally.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy working as a principal product manager and I feel this role will be an excellent opportunity to use my expertise while learning about the products and clients of your company. While I love working in consultant-type roles, one of my long-term professional goals is to focus on growing my senior-level leadership skill set so that I can ultimately move into a director or VP of product management role. Does your company have either of those roles, and would I have the opportunity to partner with and learn from the individuals in those roles while serving as a principal product manager?"
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Behavioral
2. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned so far in your career?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's capacity for learning and growth. Acceptable answers can involve professional or interpersonal lessons and should demonstrate how you might add value to the hiring company.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe a lesson that is relatable, scalable, and repeatable. The most valuable lesson you have learned in your career should involve something that initially made a sizable positive change and offers potential for future value to the next company you work for.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The biggest lesson I have learned is the power of carrying a humble spirit and an open mind. I have learned that the best possible ideas for any given solution can come from anywhere. It is not always my job to imagine the best solution. It is my job to seek ideas out and bridge them together in a cohesive fashion so that they can be understood, supported, engineered, and implemented in the best way possible."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Behavioral
3. What sets you apart from other product managers you have observed or worked with in the past?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers play a vital role in the success of the products developed by a company. Interviewers ask this question to ensure that the investment they make in a candidate has the potential to deliver value. Also, companies sometimes need to fill a specific gap within their product management organization. This question serves as an opportunity to ensure the best skills of a candidate are in alignment with the needs of the organization.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe attributes that align well with the soft skills product managers are expected to have. Interviewers expect to hear answers that address leadership, teamwork, risk tolerance, ambition, communication, etcetera.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I think I have an exceptional tolerance for risk and change. I have extensive experience in technology solutions and I have learned to lean into the unknown and quickly analyze how we can best utilize risk and change to the advantage of my teams and our products. My calm demeanor and flexible approach helps others who are not as agile deal with the stress of change."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Behavioral
4. As a principal product manager, we ask that you have strong executive presence. What qualities do you feel you have that would contribute to that goal?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers are responsible for working directly with the executives of their own company as well as the executives of partner and client companies. This question is asked to learn more about a candidate's ability to handle themselves appropriately during these important exchanges.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe your skills with confidence and presence. Your answer should be a representation of one or more of the qualities you describe. For example, if you answer that you have vast experience in the industry and you are confident in your ability to help executives make solid business decisions, you should state this in a direct and confident manner.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I am a naturally calm and confident person. I do not always have the answer needed in every situation, but the executives I work with trust that I will work hard to find a way to solve whatever complex problems they throw my way. I also have strong facilitation skills. I find that executives tend to have significant challenges getting on the same page because they all work hard to represent the unique needs of their own departments. I am skilled at bridging disparate perspectives together and fostering cohesion in uncomfortable circumstances."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Behavioral
5. What do you think it means to have 'user empathy'?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers rely on their ability to understand the needs of their stakeholders and customers. Interviewers ask this question to ensure a candidate understands this product management skill.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to go beyond stating that user empathy includes the ability to understand a user's feelings. In a product management sense, user empathy should have a more holistic approach. Your response should demonstrate that proper user empathy includes attempting to think from the user's perspective and understand their world as it applies to your product.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"User empathy is the ability to understand and operate from the persona of your users. For example, as a principal product manager, I need to understand my users' feelings, thoughts, environment, past, and future to have proper empathy. I would need to understand their likes and dislikes. I would need to know their successes and struggles. All this knowledge would allow me to properly consider their needs and advocate for features that would add value to their lives."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Behavioral
6. What qualities do you have that will add value to your work if offered the principal product manager role here at XYZ company?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers help set the bar for product management within an organization. They are senior team members that consult, work across teams, and drive product innovation. Interviewers ask this question to ensure the candidate they select can speak to the skills they possess that are desirable to have at the principal product manager level.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include qualities that are necessary at the principal level of product management. For example, you may describe your success as a leader, or your ability to raise capital for new products. Focusing your answer on skills that set you apart from more junior candidates can improve your chances of a successful interview.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I have experience launching my own product as the CEO of a startup. That time in my career helped me to develop a deep understanding of what it means to have true end-to-end ownership for the success of a product. For example, I secured $1.5 million in funding for the development and release of my product. I know what it takes to properly socialize and prove the viability of an idea. I feel I can directly apply the lessons I learned while working in that role to the opportunity here at XYZ company."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Career Goals
7. What do you see as your next role after principal product manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are many viable career paths for product managers after the principal product manager role. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about a candidate's vision for their professional future.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to research the potential career paths available at the company you are interviewing with. For example, stating that you see yourself moving into a VP of Product Development role will not make sense if the company has several roles in between that position and principal product manager.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The principal product manager role sounds exciting, and I can see myself in that role for several years. There is a lot of room for growth, and your company has a wide variety of product opportunities.
When the time comes, I see myself aiming for a senior director of product management role. In addition to strategic product management, I genuinely enjoy leading teams and developing product managers. The senior director role would allow me to leverage what I am skilled at while working to grow future leaders and high-performance teams."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Compatibility
8. Principal product managers at our company are expected to operate with minimal guidance. How do you feel about working mostly autonomously?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many companies ask their principal product managers to hit the ground running and take action with limited guidance. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate is comfortable working in this type of environment.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe how you typically handle situations in which you do need guidance or support. Candidates that can demonstrate initiative during times of uncertainty are valued.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I am very comfortable working autonomously. I am known for taking my assignments and running with them. I work with my senior leaders for guidance at the beginning of a new project or program and then follow through on my commitments to the best of my ability. When needed, I do research, or reach out to subject matter experts for help. I lean on my many years of experience and my intuition to know when to ask for managerial support."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Competency
9. Walk me through the data points you would need to perform market analysis for a potential product.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The ability to properly analyze the market for any product is a key skill for a principal product manager. Interviewers ask this question to ensure the candidate is well versed on the concept of market analysis.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to keep your answer brief when responding to questions like these. Principal product managers should be able to articulate complex concepts in direct and easy to understand language. This question offers an opportunity to demonstrate your advanced communication skills in addition to your market analysis knowledge. Interviewers who are interested in ensuring you are an expert in this space will ask follow-up questions accordingly.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The first thing I would need to perform a market analysis is a description of the product, the problem it aims to solve, and the related user benefits. I would use this information to compare the product to similar products available on the market. I would work to understand what would set the new product apart from the competition and then determine a likely price point and adoption rate.
Using a high level list of features, I would work with design and development experts to generate a high-level development cost for the product. I would then pair this information with the price point numbers to calculate revenue and profitability projections."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Competency
10. As a principal product manager, we ask you to adopt the customer's perspective and help your teams understand their needs. How do you gather the information necessary for success in this aspect of the role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers drive the strategy for new features and updates to current products and they work to bring new products to life. The most successful products solve customer or user problems, delight users, or fulfill a need. Interviewers ask this question to learn about the strategy a candidate uses to understand their users and effectively deliver products that add value to their customer's experience.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to discuss a variety of strategies for learning about your customers. For example, an interviewer would expect a principal product manager to offer more than a simple customer survey strategy in their response.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I have used a number of methods to learn about my customers and gather the information to think from their perspective so that I can properly advocate for the development of features they will value. My go-to activities include research, surveys, observation, shadowing, testing competitor products, and even immersing myself in their communities and circumstances to enhance my perspective."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Competency
11. Our target audience is 18-25 year olds. What are some of the key marketing channels you would recommend for our products?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Marketing strategy is a key consideration for most products. While principal product managers may not be primarily responsible for the execution of the marketing strategy, they will most likely partner with peers or senior leaders within marketing to drive alignment and ensure marketing activities are properly accounted for and represented within the product roadmap. This question is asked in an interview to test a candidate's knowledge of a specific demographic and their ability to outline a basic marketing strategy.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include more than one channel in your marketing strategy response. Principal product managers should understand the concept and value of omnichannel marketing.
Also, remember to thoroughly research the product lines and related consumer demographics prior to your interview. The time invested researching this information should help to improve the quality of your responses to several questions during your principal product manager interview.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"Social media is the go-to marketing strategy for that age demographic. The top five channels for users of that age are Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Therefore, I would craft a campaign with ads customized for a mix of those platforms.
Additionally, that demographic is highly influenced by online reviews. If possible, I would offer a free release of the product and ask for reviews prior to the major marketing campaign so that potential customers would find helpful reviews readily available when considering a purchase.
Customers in that age range also tend to purchase products they see others in their peer group buying. I would consider aligning a marketing campaign with large social events, festivals, concerts, etcetera."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Competency
12. What can you tell me about our product line?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers expect product managers at the principal level to have a solid understanding of their products prior to an interview. Candidates in these roles are often experts in the industry the company operates within. This question serves as an opportunity to ensure the candidate is well prepared and knowledgeable about the products they would be working with if hired.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to research the demographic, market, competitors, and history of the products developed by the company you are interviewing with prior to your interview. Interviewers are likely to exclude candidates who are unable to answer this question satisfactorily from future interviews or offer consideration.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"Your company develops XYZ software solutions for mid-size businesses to support their operations. You offer cloud and on-premises hosted solutions as well as consulting services. The products are delivered in modules that can be customized depending on the specific needs of the clients. Some of your notable clients include
According to my research, the annual revenue for last year was $X million dollars. The job description mentioned part of the principal product manager role would be to drive growth. Can you share with me the goals for growth or any details of new markets you are looking to break into?"
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Competency
13. What do you believe your priorities would be as a principal product manager within your first six months of being hired?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers are often utilized as consultants. It is expected that they will be able to quickly assess their area of responsibility and begin to make strategic product recommendations. Interviewers ask this question to ensure the strategy a candidate describes for their first six months on the job aligns with the expectations for the delivery of value for the role.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a range of analytical, team, and customer-focused activities within your response. Principal product managers are often hired for their ability to drive end-to-end product strategy. Excellent responses to this question will include a multi-faceted approach that allows a candidate to assess their product, market, and teams while gathering the data necessary to make strategic product recommendations.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would focus on three main areas within my first six months as a principal product manager. First, I would work with my teams to understand the current state of each of the products I would be working on. I would learn the features, review the roadmaps, and work to understand the user base for each. This would include observing, shadowing, training, and using each product. It would also include customer outreach.
Next, I would spend time getting to know my stakeholders, peers across various verticals, and team members as well as possible. Strong relationships are a critical success factor for product managers and I would want to work toward establishing a framework for trust and accountability during that time.
Finally, I would work to analyze the market for the products I would be working on. I would want to look over the available data from any related systems including customer support data, sales data, marketing data, etcetera. I would perform competitor analysis and work to understand how the needs of the customers align with the roadmaps. I would then work to make recommendations for new feature sets, or any changes in feature development priority or process that make sense based on the outcome of my analysis, my time spent reviewing the products, and the information gathered from my teams, peers, stakeholders, and customers."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Experience
14. Describe the largest budget you have worked with for the development of a new product.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The ability to work within the constraints of the budget allotted for the development and release of a new product is an important aspect of a principal product manager's role. Interviewers ask this question to better understand the scale of a candidate's level of financial responsibility.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the nature of the product, the business it supported, and the results of your release within your response. Also, be sure to be clear about whether or not you were a contributor to the financial tracking, or solely responsible for the management of the budget.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The largest budget I have ever worked with as a product manager for the new release of a product was $6 million. I was the lead product manager for an ecommerce app to support a national retailer. I realize that is a large budget for an ecommerce app, but we integrated a number of features that supported customers when they were shopping in-store and also tied it to our backend accounting and inventory systems. We had over ten million downloads of the first major release, and the numbers are still climbing.
That budget included the funding for resources, licensing, hardware, legal, and marketing. A senior program manager managed the budget details, but we met weekly to review the numbers and work with all of the product managers involved to ensure our feature sets were properly accounted for."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Experience
15. Do you have experience raising venture capital for a product?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some companies ask principal product managers to play a key role in pitching products and investment ideas to raise capital for their company. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate has experience in this critical function of smaller companies that rely on venture capital investment for growth.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Not all product managers have experience raising capital. However, most senior-level product managers have experience pitching ideas and convincing stakeholders to invest in the development of their products. In the event you have not worked to raise venture capital, remember to describe any experience you have convincing executives to fund projects associated with products you were responsible for.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I worked for a start up early in my career. I was a product manager and I helped with the market analysis and pitch materials that were presented to investors. We ultimately ended up raising $4.7 million in seed money for our product. I would enjoy the opportunity to participate in raising capital from a more senior role in the event I am hired for the principal product manager role here at XYZ company."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Experience
16. Have you ever worked remotely? If so, what was the environment like?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many product manager positions are remote. Interviewers ask this question to ensure candidates are comfortable working in a virtual office environment.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe your experience leading meetings in a remote session in addition to the amount of time you have worked remotely. Interviewers value candidates with experience facilitating team meetings and expertise using online collaboration tools.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked remotely for the last five years. I am comfortable working in this type of environment, and I have a dedicated space in my home to work from.
I have experience with several collaboration tools. I am comfortable leading online meetings, sharing my screen, and using facilitation tools such as virtual whiteboards.
I enjoy environments where teams work to get to know each other well despite working remotely. I believe taking time out to connect and share in a social setting from time to time helps to foster higher team performance and satisfaction. We do that regularly with our development teams, and I also make opportunities to connect with my customers when possible."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Experience
17. What is your level of expertise with data-driven analysis activities such as writing queries?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers are expected to have strong data-driven analysis skills. Product development strategies are often supported by metrics and other data backed analysis methods. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate has the technical skills and experience necessary to perform this important aspect of the principal product manager role.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include experience using business intelligence software in addition to your experience writing queries. Candidates who have well rounded analytical skills in this area are valued.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I am fairly skilled at writing queries and working with large datasets and datasets with multiple sources. I also have experience working with business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Power BI.
I believe in looking at the data to support the decisions I make on behalf of my users and my teams. The data certainly does not always tell the whole story, but it is an important piece of the puzzle that should be included in any analysis effort."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Leadership
18. How do you help your teams get through difficult phases of the product lifecycle such as stressful product releases?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers play a significant role as leaders for their teams during difficult phases of product development. They are often asked to lead by example and support others who may be experiencing burnout or difficulty due to the stress they are under. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate has the leadership qualities necessary for success in the principal product manager role.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to describe the behaviors or techniques you leverage to assist yourself during stressful product releases. Principal product managers often lead by example, and candidates who display self-management skills are valued.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"Product releases can be challenging for everyone involved. I always do my best to use my experience to help myself and others find perspective and balance during potentially stressful times. There are several techniques I have found to be helpful over the years.
First, I try to facilitate a balanced mindset in myself and my teams. I stay focused on the goal and not the little things that tend to throw people off track. I remind everyone that releases are stressful, and we need to make sure that we practice self-care in whatever way is appropriate.
Secondly, I remind everyone that customer feedback can be brutal at times. We often release products with a minimum set of features, and customers sometimes lack insight into the long-term plans. I encourage my teams to listen to what the customers say about what we have built so we can improve in the right ways going forward. However, I remind them that it is important not to take things too personally.
Finally, I like to work with the project manager or program manager to ensure that we reward our teams for their hard work. I take time to call out stellar customer service or recognize someone who went above and beyond. Sometimes we have an opportunity to reward the team with an activity or a meal. The method usually doesn't matter. What matters is that everyone knows how much their contributions are valued."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Leadership
19. As a principal product manager you will be asked to review the work of other product managers. What are some of the opportunities you will look for within their work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some companies rely on their senior and principal product managers to review the work of other product managers and serve as a mentor. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about the approach a candidate would take to ensure the quality of the work of others within their domain.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to consider your own time moving through the ranks of product management within your response. What did your mentors offer that helped you improve your approach and the work you delivered? Reflecting on your own growth and what you learned from others within your area of expertise will help you to answer this question authentically.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would look for three main things when mentoring and reviewing the work of other product managers. First, I would look for evidence that they fully understand their customers. I would ensure that they are immersed and invested in developing an optimal customer experience. Typical areas for improvement in that regard include helping them understand how to properly analyze the data available and how to create a product development plan that aligns with the highest possible value stream.
Secondly, I would observe the product managers to look for communication style improvements. It is critical for product managers to have the ability to clearly articulate the vision for their product and translate it into a tactical plan that their teams can follow.
Finally, I would work with them to help them move closer and closer to true end-to-end ownership of their products. We would discuss all of the verticals within an organization that play a role across the phases of the product lifecycle and what higher levels of responsibility within product management look like. Additionally, I would be available to them to discuss difficult problems and brainstorm potential solutions. This would help them improve their work at their own level while preparing them to take on more senior roles in the future."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Leadership
20. As a principal product manager you will work across a number of cross-functional teams. How do you influence teams as a leader when you do not work with them on a full-time basis?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some principal product managers are utilized as consultants that work strategically. The time they spend with product development teams is limited, but plays a critical role in ensuring that teams are properly aligned with high-level roadmap activities. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about a candidate's strategy for maximizing their impact given a limited amount of time with each team they work with.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to consider the time you spend outside of working with a team as a means of influence. For example, the work you do to solve complex customer related issues can demonstrate excellence in your domain, support your team by reducing their stress, and serve as an example of leadership in a customer service capacity.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I think there are several ways I can influence the cross functional teams I work with despite not being embedded in each team as a full time member. First, I work to get to know the team members and culture of each team that I work with. They are all different, and I customize my approach depending on their style and needs. In the event they need more leadership, I lead by example, provide direction, and confidently project the qualities of an excellent leader when I work with them. In the event they are working to develop their own leadership skills, I take on more of a coach and mentor role.
Regardless of the dynamic, I demonstrate excellence within my domain. I ensure that each team understands the product roadmaps and their roles within them. I advocate for my customers, users, or stakeholders and ensure that the teams understand their perspectives. I help my teams understand what quality products should look and feel like to the consumer.
Finally, I work hard to establish healthy and valuable relationships with senior stakeholders, executives, and my clients. I help them understand the needs of my teams and partner with them to resolve any issues that arise. I then bring back updates to my teams that help them feel confident they are supported and valued. These three strategies combined allow me to maximize the time I have with each team I work with and influence them in a leadership capacity."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Situational
21. Imagine that I ask you to perform a competitive analysis for a potential product. What steps would you take?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some companies operate in fast-paced and highly competitive markets. Principal product managers are expected to be able to assess their competitors and make recommendations for product strategy quickly and efficiently. Interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's ability to predict how product feature offerings will perform in their specific markets.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include activities involved in understanding your company's position within the market the product serves. This important information helps provide the context necessary for relevant and impactful competitive analysis.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The first competitive analysis step I would take would be to understand my company's position. That includes assessing how well the product I am considering aligns to the company's mission and goals. It may also include performing a SWOT analysis to identify strengths that can be maximized, weaknesses to reduce, opportunities to capitalize on, and threats to mitigate.
Once I have the appropriate context, I would identify the top competitors and potential future competitors. I would perform a feature-by-feature comparison to determine the relative value of each product and any gaps that exist. This may include using demo versions of competitor products or posing as a customer to test how they perform in customer service scenarios.
Additionally, I would attempt to gather information on how much each company invested in its products, what current projects they are working on, and what kind of staff they employ. This information usually comes through direct conversations with peers and others in my network. I find this information helpful specifically when trying to mitigate threats or beat the competition to the market.
I would then compile all of the information I gathered and develop a big picture version to offer to senior leaders, peers, and stakeholders. I would review the major themes and offer detail information as necessary to help inform our decision of whether or not to move forward with development."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Situational
22. Imagine that the engineers on your product development team consistently delivered poor quality deliverables. What steps would you take to address the issue?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers are responsible for ensuring that the products that are ultimately developed meet the vision and standard the stakeholders or end users of the product expected. Poorly developed products can lead to costly rework, delays, and loss of revenue. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate has the leadership skills necessary to address this potentially difficult and uncomfortable situation.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a process for gathering information prior to discussing the quality issues directly with team members. Individuals often take work quality related feedback personally. A data-driven approach can help a team focus on the impact of the issue versus the people who created it.
Also, remember to demonstrate that improving the quality of any product is a team effort. Interviewers appreciate candidates that inspire others to improve while collectively owning the process and the end result.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The first step I would take is to research the quality of similar products. I would want to have benchmark information available before discussing the issue as a team. I would also analyze the time and money spent on rework. I would perform an impact analysis to help demonstrate the result of the quality issues. If appropriate, I might run the scenario by an engineering lead or architect on another team to get some perspective and ensure that my quality assessment is fair.
Once I had the data necessary for the discussion, I would facilitate a meeting with the engineers and their leadership. I would ensure that the feedback was not offered personally, and that we stay focused on the business impact of poor quality work.
I would begin by reminding everyone of the vision and the level of quality we are striving for. I would offer the results of my analysis and work with the group to define a reasonable expectation for improvement. I would then ask for their thoughts on how we could improve the process to create higher quality deliverables. Once a plan was established, I would ask for a commitment from everyone and set a clear timeline to reflect upon the changes and whether or not they achieved the desired results."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Teamwork
23. What do you see as the most important product development team-based part of your role as a principal product manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are a number of important aspects that contribute to the health of a team. However, a principal product manager has explicit responsibility for the ownership and communication of specific product related information and activities. Interviewers ask this question to ensure that the candidate they select understands the criticality of these responsibilities and what their main purpose is when working with product development teams.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to focus your response on ensuring that teams understand the product strategy and features that need to be developed. As a principal product manager, your main responsibility is to ensure that the overall vision for a product is clear, that teams understand the vision, and that they understand how their work fits within the big picture strategy.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel that as a principal product manager, the most valuable thing I can do is make sure everyone is properly informed and aligned with the vision for the product and the details of the features and product roadmap. Teams should feel confident that they are building the right things at the right time for the right reasons and I see it as my primary responsibility to foster that confidence. Once that is in place, the teams I work with can focus on making sure they develop the products in the most valuable way."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Teamwork
24. What does an optimal team setting look like?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Healthy team dynamics play an integral role in developing successful products. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate's vision for an optimal team is in line with the team culture of their organization.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to review the job description for the principal product manager position for team and company culture information prior to your interview. Also, review the hiring company's website. Responses that align with the values of a company or the specific teams they will be working with are likely to resonate with the interviewer.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I have had the good fortune to work with a number of teams that I would consider optimal. They were all quite unique, but there were three main qualities that they shared. First, they were comfortable with being uncomfortable together. They allowed each other to be vulnerable and approached discussions with open minds.
Second, they supported each other. They encouraged and inspired each other to reach higher and try new things. They looked at failures as opportunities and kept moving forward during stressful times.
Finally, they were accountable. Each member took ownership of their work, but they also had a collective sense of accountability as a team. I realize that not all teams are excellent at these three dynamics, but they are attributes I look for and try to establish through influence and example in my own work."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
25. What is agile development? Can you provide a project it is a fit for?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many companies develop products using agile or other iterative development methodologies. Interviewers use this question to test a candidate's basic knowledge of this popular approach to development.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember that agile methodology is an overarching term that can be used to describe several specific approaches to development such as Scrum or Kanban. Keep your answer focused on the attributes that all of the agile development methods share such as working in self-organizing teams, or developing products iteratively.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"Agile development is a methodology used to develop products with cross functional, self-organizing teams in close partnership with their customers. Features are developed and delivered incrementally and the scope of the product is refined while projects are in flight. Agile teams reflect regularly and continually improve their processes. A gaming app development project would be an example of a product that agile development methods would be a good fit for."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
26. What is the Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule and how does it apply to product management?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The Pareto Principle is a simple method to focus workstreams and encourage alignment among product development teams and customers. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate understands this principle and how to apply it properly.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to define how the 80/20 rule applies specifically to product management. Also, including an example of how you applied the principle in the past will add value to your answer.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"The 80/20 rule states that eighty percent of the value of the work done, on a project or at a higher level, will be derived from focusing on twenty percent of the most impactful work. For example, Microsoft found that they could solve eighty percent of the crashes and errors in their software by resolving the top twenty percent of the reported issues with their systems. In a product management context, the rule is used to identify the twenty percent of features that will generate eighty percent of the value that can be derived from feature development.
I applied this principle directly in my work as a product owner at my last company. I held brainstorming sessions with my business owners and stakeholders to create a list of opportunities and issues with our product. We then did an impact assessment and used it to prioritize the list. We identified more work than we had left in our budget for the year, so I suggested we apply the 80/20 rule. We identified the top twenty percent of the items we had prioritized and identified those items as our features that would be the most impactful to work on. We left the other items in the list as possibilities to work on once the top twenty percent was complete and quickly found that many of those items became non-issues once the most impactful items were developed and released."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
27. How do you determine the level of user satisfaction with a product you are responsible for?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Companies seek principal product managers who are passionate about creating and maintaining an optimal customer experience. Interviewers ask this question to assess a candidate's approach to monitoring customer satisfaction and their knowledge of its effect on the health of a product.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to include a variety of internal and external data sources in your response. For example, it would be important to continually read online reviews of your product and monitor customer support ticket metrics.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"There are several methods I use to analyze the level of user satisfaction for a product I am responsible for. Usage and sales that increase or decrease shortly after a launch are very telling. I monitor new user counts, returning user counts, and cancellations closely. If applicable, I also monitor time spent using my product, as this may indicate user satisfaction levels.
Additionally, I would work with internal support teams to assess any themes in user satisfaction related to the product. An increase or decrease in reports of bugs, training issues, or performance issues would also help me to assess the level of customer satisfaction.
Finally, I would research user satisfaction online. I would read blogs, forums, and articles to understand how users feel about the product. This information helps identify the features that users are the happiest with and changes they wish to see in the future. This research also helps provide context for the metrics I monitor internally."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
28. What are some of the most important factors to consider when prioritizing product development work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers work to develop product roadmaps and prioritization of specific features for their products. The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into a candidate's thought process during this function of the product manager role.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to demonstrate that you understand the importance of the criteria you describe relative to the situation. For example, the marketing needs of an internal operations product may not be as important as the prioritization of marketing-related features of a customer-facing sales feature.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"There are several factors to consider when prioritizing product development work. This is a crucial aspect of a product manager's role that requires experience, skill, and situational awareness.
Per the Kano Model, I consider the impact of feature sets on customer delight and product function. For example, a particularly exciting feature that is not available in any competitor product is likely to cause a significant jump in usage and satisfaction.
The performance of the solution can be an equally important factor to consider. Customers respond poorly when features are slow or too complex to use. Therefore, it is important to balance new features with the technology to support them properly. Additionally, teams often need to prioritize the user interaction design features necessary to make their products easy to use.
Also, it is important to understand the market and the features that are expected by the personas within the customer community. A product can fail if the basic features are sacrificed for other complex functionality. It is typically a good strategy to ensure that all basic needs are met well before expanding.
Finally, some features are necessary to keep a product going. This could include technical debt work, customer support features, operations features, marketing features, etc.
All of the areas described above are important to consider when prioritizing work. The relative importance of each depends on the history of the product, the strategic plan, the competition, and the technology available. The right answer depends on the situation and relies on a product manager's ability to accurately define the value stream and the cost of delay for the features that are not a top priority."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
29. What factors lead to a successful product?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers drive the strategy for successful products. They are often involved in the inception of a product idea and help to determine if a product holds the potential for user and business value. Interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's knowledge of the general factors that contribute to the success of a product.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to offer a high-level answer to this question. Principal product managers should understand the three common factors that determine if a product is a market fit and holds business potential. Interviewers expect to hear an easy to understand and clearly articulated answer to this question as it serves as an opportunity to test the communication skills of the candidate.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"At the highest level, successful products have three main attributes. First, they are desirable. They fulfill the needs of their users, delight them, or solve their problems. Second, successful products are viable. They align with the goals of the business or stakeholders and hold the promise to deliver an acceptable return on the investment required to develop and maintain the product. Finally, successful products are feasible. There is a reasonable path to the development of the product that can be outlined strategically and followed tactically."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Technical
30. Describe an improvement you would make to our XYZ product.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Principal product managers drive the product strategy for major product development and release initiatives. Interviewers ask this question to test a candidate's knowledge of their product line and their ability to suggest valuable improvements that are strategically sound.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Remember To
Remember to thoroughly research the products offered by the company you are interviewing. This question is often used to identify top-tier candidates for the open role, and interviewers expect well informed responses. Also, make sure that the suggestion you offer is feasible. While radical product shifts can transform a business, it is important that the interviewer find your answer relatable.
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would consider including the XYZ module with the basic product package. The functionality represented by that module is a common feature set that many competitors offer as an add-on. You could increase your basic product offering price by 20% if you included it with a basic subscription. That would put your product in a position to be a better overall value than the competition while still being affordable for customers who do not yet need that module, but can seem themselves needing it in the future."
Written by Karrie Day on October 21st, 2022