Ive screened and interviewed numerous tpm candidates and went through the process myself my thoughts below. Amazon technical program manager interview questions. Use this guide and list of questions to stand out from other candidates. Jun 30, 2014 ive put together my 10 killer interview questions for hiring a project manager. Program managers are responsible for overseeing several company projects that are connected by a common goal. Strong candidates will be organized and invested in interdepartmental success. Learn in a step by step manner how to ace this difficult interview at amazon.
What is the best book to prepare for product management internship. Heres a little guidance for how to interview for those jobs. During the interview, use the above program manager interview questions to determine if theyll mesh with their direct reports, and be able to get the most from the resources they have available. How i prepared for a product manager interview andreea. In contrast to a project manager, a program manager oversees multiple projects that lead to an ultimate objective that benefits the organization. But what is a product manager really and how you do you land this role. It took me a long time to get an interview with amazon and i have failed at the microsoft interview process before so keep at it.
Gayle discussed how the ambiguouslynamed pm product manager program manager role varies across companies, what experience you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a. Program manager interview questions expert program. There are always bits of jobs we dont like, but project managers typically work on the projects that they are assigned. Its one of the most popular features from my new book, the product manager interview. Takewatch a sample interview and understand where you lacks. Especially explain your project management approach. The questions may also be applicable to executive and management roles that include program management responsibilities. Program manager interview questions program managers oversee interconnected projects programs and supervise project managers. The above program manager interview questions can help you. The sooner a candidate can work their way into a regular conversation versus a question and answer period, the more likely they are to land the job. Not long ago, we needed to hire a new manager for my python team in new relics product organization. Program managers oversee connected projects within the organization to ensure that they are mutually beneficial and align with the company objectives. A free inside look at program manager interview questions and process details for 22 companies all posted anonymously by interview candidates. Books for product manager interview prep the product manager interview.
A program manager is a consensus builder your primary goal is to ship, whereas every other stakeholder at the table has competing objectives drive the discussion and decisionmaking process w the enduser goal in mind ambiguity is part of the fun you dont always get. Apr 06, 2015 free ebook top 36 program manager interview questions with answers 1 slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Its a challenging role that demands a challenging interview. While the technical aspects are left to the project managers, a program manager has a more strategic role and ensures the program brings value to the business. In addition to product managers, the information in this ebook also applies to many positions at amazon like operations manager, technical account manager and vendor manager interviews and aws related manager. This paper examines the roles and responsibilities involved in managing programs of projects. Free interview details posted anonymously by microsoft interview candidates. Interview questions for program managers johanna rothman. Cracking the pm interview is a comprehensive book on landing a product management role in startups or bigger tech companies. Remember, a program is a collection of projects where the business value arises from the delivery of all of the projects. Project management interview questions made easy kindle edition by makar, andrew. Program managers shape a program and manage its delivery to meet strategic business goals and objectives.
This list can be used as guide for mapping out your career and your future professional development plans. Project management interview questions made easy kindle. Lins book previously titled the product manager interview 164 actual questions and answers a great resource for both budding and seasoned product managers. Interview questions for a technical program manager tpm. Next time you have to recruit someone for your project team, why not try some of these. Program manager interview questions expert program management. Answers to product management interviews this book was written by a former microsoft pm and its essentially what i was expecting cracking the pm interview to be like. My recruiter and interview coordinator did a fantastic job at promptly setting up everything. Do this, and you will be prepared for project and program manager interview questions.
I was working on a team where we were doing an additional process that i knew could be eliminated, but no one else gave it a second thought. Tell me about your favorite project that youve managed and what you enjoyed about it. How to prepare for a product manager interview hacker noon. We asked recruiters, hiring managers, and talent acquisition specialists for their goto project manager interview questions. I just completed my first month as a product manager at rainforest qa we. Phone interview first round where i talked to a current program manager, onsite interview 1st round from a pm from a different team, 2nd round was a lunch interview with a principal pm, 3rd round with my future manager, 4th round with a group program manager. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. As a change agent, a program manager is an expert on the overall scope of the initiative. Program managers are expected to organize and coordinate programs. In an effort to help todays managers keep up with our constantly changing business environment and reach their desired career goals, ive put together this definitive list of the six unspoken habits of highly effective program managers. Take note of what theyre asking and what theyre looking for in a response, and youll be ready to ace your next interview. How i prepared for a product manager interview andreea nastase.
Six tips for answering project and program manager. Several hours after the phone interview with the manager i was notified that i was moved to the onsite process. The bigger the company, the more interviewers you will meet on your big day. Learn how the ambiguouslynamed pm product manager program manager role varies across companies, what experience you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great pm resume and cover letter look like, and finally, how to master the interview. Can you give us an example of how you improved or streamlined a process in the past. At the end of the day, the interviewer just needs to like you. Product managers are sometimes called the ceo of a product. You will be tasked with developing programs to support the organizations strategic direction, as well as creating and managing long term goals. They contacted me for an interview for the program manager intern position after 1. C program to delete a node from sll, in which the last node points to the middle node in case of even no of nodes, it points to the first middle node and update the sll. Skills and confidence are very important when you appear for an interview.
I recently interviewed with amazon as a program manager for their chicago office. On the day i was to interview the first candidate i was cycling to the office that morning trying to decide what questions would be appropriate for a midlevel program manager position. Six tips for answering project and program manager interview. To begin with, clear milestones for each project have to be identified and plotted out in a single space to make sure that all key elements of a program are covered. How to crack the product manager interview by gayle. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. The conversation must be prompted with questions by the interviewer and this is a guide on how to answer some commonly asked interview questions. Program managers oversee interconnected projects programs and supervise project managers. Aug 27, 20 one of the top posts on this site is interview questions for project managers. Amazon program manager interview questions glassdoor.
Microsoft program manager interview questions glassdoor. But time is precious when it comes to preparing for pm interviews at top. Remember, a program is a collection of projects where the business value continue reading interview questions for program managers. To ace your program manager interview, you need to have more than just experience. Treat the whole process as a game and have a good time. Program manager job description template we are looking for a project manager to be responsible for organizing programs and activities for our organization. The second book, cracking the pm interview is particularly useful for technical program managers. Its important that as you interview and meet with program manager candidates that you think about the impact theyll have on your overall team.
I also gathered a list of product manager interview questions as a free. Here are 10 books that will make you the darling of hiring managers everywhere. The top 7 project management interview questions and answers. Interviewers will want to know about your leadership and multitasking skills. Aug 05, 2018 after youve read those books, try these tips to finish off your preparations. The recruiter and coordinator were very responsive and communicative throughout the entire interview cycle. One screening phone call with the recruiter, 2nd phone interview with hiring manager, 2nd phone interview with a team member, onsite with 6 individuals each lasting an 1 hour, out of which one was a bar raiser, part of a non related team. Cracking the pm interview updated in 2015, and only lewis c. We have gathered a team of seasoned managers from wellknown tech companies with years of experience and insight into technical program management. Common manager interview questions and best answers. The book cracking the pm interview is definitely the most comprehensive book written for technology pms be it a product or a program manager. Free interview details posted anonymously by amazon interview candidates. Amazon senior manager interview questions for amazon job candidates. Project manager behavioral interview questions are a big part of many interviews.
We run the mock interview session in the same way that you will expect in the real interviews. The product manager interview, 4th edition lewis c. Please note i get calls weekly asking this same question and i dispense advice freely because 1 im not giving away any earthshatteri. The approach of this course is to first teach you a. Learn how the ambiguouslynamed pm product manager program manager role varies between companies, what experiences you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great pm resume and cover. Cracking the pm interview cracking the pm interview pm. The program manager has to collaborate across the organization, use influence. The program manager has to make sure that all the projects within a program are aligned and follow the same strategic goal. Recruiters reveal their favorite project manager interview. Jun 29, 2018 a program manager is responsible for seeing an operation through from beginning to end. In addition to product managers, the information in this ebook also applies to many positions at amazon like operations manager, technical account manager and vendor manager interviews and aws related manager roles. Its easy to get familiar with the question types, frameworks, and examples from my books. They contacted me for an interview for the program manager. How should i prepare for a technical program manager.
I bet some of you are interviewing for program managers, too. Employers are looking for candidates who excel at people management and conflict resolution. Expect a fair share of behavioral interview questionsthese are questions that ask you to recall and explain specific examples and experiencesduring your project manager interview. There is a lot of information around what is a product manager or how to become a good product manager pmor books to read as a pm and sometimes how to interview a pm. Program managers must provide strategic guidance to project managers and ensure the company is working towards its larger goals. Google technical program manager interview questions. Learn how the ambiguouslynamed pm product manager program manager role varies between companies, what experiences you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great pm resume and cover letter looks like, and then how to master the pm interview questions estimation questions, behavioral questions, estimation. Few leading figures from the company will be present, often accompanied by an hr manager, and one or two existing program project managers. Cracking the pm interview the book has many great examples and helps you prepare. All these are great and necessary, but we rarely find any material on how to prepare for a product manager interview, which i feel is equally important. You can have your friends mock interview you with these questions, too.
Pms do a lot of writing, presenting, and convincing show youre up to the task. However, if you want to gain perfect program management skills, you can go for an online professional program management. Dec 18, 20 do this, and you will be prepared for project and program manager interview questions. This book is updated with agile interview questions, keeping the trend in mind that the pms are now expected to work as a project manager in agile.
If you are try to hire a project or program manager, read hiring geeks that fit. The ultimate list of product manager interview questions. Technical interview at amazon sde and microsoft program. Answers to product management interviews by lewis lin. Top 8 best job interview books when you hear the term interview, its not just about how a candidate applies for an organizations job position. Roles, responsibilities, and skills in program management.
We have interview questions for all of our job descriptions. If youre needing assistance in your it department, you should create an it program manager job description. In doing so, it defines the preliminary concepts of job, role, responsibility, and skills and attributes. Many books offer guidance on the product manager interview process.
Avoid those who lack leadership or management skills. However, this is the worst possible book you could read when preparing for product manager interviews. Top 10 resources for product manager interview preparation. Scheduled an hourlong phone interview with a manager 3 days later. The six business skills of highly effective program managers. It can be used as an effective guide to prep and for interview questions for a technical program manager. If youre looking for a job, look at manage your job search.
This post is about how i worked to make that managerinterview process as productive as possible. Practice this before your interview if you dont already do it daytoday. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading project management interview questions made easy. To attract candidates from abroad, you could also post a programme manager job description. I found the book very helpful with lots of practice questions and template answers.
Amazon senior technical program manager interview questions. Its the process, which you encounter whenever you meet any new person and when you know that you have to get along with this person in the future. Applicants should understand this role necessitates bigpicture thinking. Gayle mcdowell is the founder ceo of and the author of two books. Top 36 program manager interview questions and answers pdf. The following interview questions are appropriate for a program manager role in a large organization.
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