In this presentation Google Product Manager Neha Bansal will be sharing her secrets on how to position oneself for a Product Manager role without an engineering degree and how to successfully pass a job interview for a PM position.
19. Skills of a good Product Manager
Understands the
user
Can communicate well,
cross-functionally
Can prioritize ruthlessly
Note that engineering skills is not in the list..in fact it is a distraction!
20. Steps towards becoming a PM
Make up your mind
(Yep, itâs not an easy job)
Apply for the
role
Get through the
interviews
21. Preparation before applying for PM positions
Apply through an
employee referral
Build a PM specific
resume
(PM internships, 20%
projects)
Learn to code
(know enough to be
able to think like an
engineer)
22. Steps towards becoming a PM
Make up your mind
(Yep, itâs not an easy job)
Apply for the
role
Get through the
interviews
23. How I prepared for the Google PM interviews
Help interviewer
succeed
(Answer in 3
bullets, modify
talking speed etc.)
Do lots of mock
interviews
(Including consulting
style case prep)
Write down your
answers to potential
interview questions
(like, literally)
Above all, smile :)
24. Interview demo: Design questions
Letâs do this with a demo: ANY VOLUNTEERS?
â What products could you make using the self-driving car technology?
â Choose one product and walk me through the design process
EVERYONE ELSE: Please take notes of what you think went well or can improve.
25. Interview demo: Design questions
My approach:
â Repeat the given scenario to ensure I understood it correctly
â Lay out the end-to-end approach upfront (usually based on design
frameworks as CIRCLE or RICE)
â Go through each step by diving into the right amount of detail
â Create a real persona while thinking of pain points
â Use assumptions to narrow the problem scope
26. CIRCLE Framework RICE Framework
C = Comprehend Situation
I = Identify customers (personas)
R = Report customer needs
C= Cut, through prioritization
L= List solutions
E= Evaluate trade-offs
R = Reach
I = Impact
C = Confidence
E= Effort
27. www.productschool.com
Part-time Product Management, Coding, Data, Digital
Marketing and Blockchain courses in San Francisco, Silicon
Valley, New York, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston,
Boulder, Chicago, Denver, Orange County, Seattle, Bellevue,
Toronto, London and Online
Editor's Notes
You are juggling your time between lots of raptors, all of whom want a piece of you
How do I describe my job: I am the CEO of my product, who does no work but still makes sure the product is successful.
None of the people you are working with, report into you. Hence, itâs all about getting people excited about your work and hence get work done
For this particular ppt, I would like to assume that most people know what being a PM is. Hence, I will take 2-3 questions about understanding the role.
During my orientation, I asked an Eng TL, would you ever work with given that I donât have an engineering degree?.....
Resume is a reflection of your future and not your past - if a hiring manager sees it, make the person feel like you are meant for the job.