How to crack a Product Interview?

Interviewing for a job has never been a piece of cake. Along with confidence and good communication skills, you need a good sense of understanding of the job that you are applying for. I wish someone had shared these golden tips with me when I had started off in this career.

1. The Prep Time — To prepare for this role, one needs to prepare, prepare and prepare some more. The calendar method had worked wonders for me. Each day I used to block some definite time on my calendar, to understand the concepts and learn about their applicability via case studies that are easily available on the internet.
2. Mirror Mirror on the wall — Who can sound the smarter of all? This trick never gets old. Stand in front of the mirror and answer some really difficult questions that might get thrown at you. Observe not just your answers, but your body language and your expressions as well. Also, you may use an app called Voice Memo to listen to yourself and apply the corrections next time you practice.
3. Your Thought Process matters: As a Product Manager, at each stage, the structure of your thoughts plays a critical role in any decision that you would be taking on behalf of the entire team. The difference will lie here: Average answer vs. a good answer. Who would you pick?
4. Sometimes problem-solving lies in effective communication: Yes, not some fancy words that you have just read. Or concepts and frameworks that you have never applied yourself. Use a framework that you can are confident about, even if it is the simplest one. For example, BCG metrics, Circles method, etc.
5. You want to solve problems — Begin NOW — Imagine if you are given an upper hand in selecting an existing problem, and solving it end-to-end. What is that problem that comes to the top of your mind? Think through it. Find out solutions. Evaluate each solution — why it will work or why will it not?

What are some methods you have come across that have worked for you as a Product Manager?

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