Hey everyone! I’m finishing up my MBA program at a decent business school and getting ready to look for product manager positions. I’ve done some internships at smaller companies during the summer and throughout my studies, but now I’m thinking about full-time opportunities.
I know behavioral questions are important, but what other stuff should I focus on when preparing for PM interviews? Are there any particular skills or topics that come up a lot?
Also wondering if getting any specific certifications would help my chances? The job market seems pretty tough right now so I want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
Focus on metrics and data! Companies want PMs who can talk numbers. Practice calculating user engagement, conversion rates, and ROI scenarios. You’ve got this - your MBA background gives you a solid foundation already!
yeah, those case studies can be crazy tough! make sure you practice explaining your thought process, it’s super important. even if you know the answer, if you can’t communicate it, it’s a no-go. try to get a feel for real-world scenarios too. good luck!
Beyond the technical stuff others covered, get solid at market sizing and estimation. Interviewers love curveballs like “estimate daily rideshare trips in Chicago” or “size the dog grooming app market.” They don’t want exact numbers - they’re testing how you think through problems under pressure. Practice breaking complex stuff into logical pieces. Also, actually use each company’s products before your interview and come with real improvement ideas. Tons of candidates bomb because they’ve never touched what they’re interviewing for. Your MBA helps with strategic thinking, so use that when discussing competitive positioning and go-to-market plans.