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Preparing for 'project manager' interview with prominent Silicon Valley company

5 points by pminterview 15y ago

I applied for a 'product manager' position at a prominent tech company in the valley, and they responded by asking if I would be interested in an 'IT project manager' position instead. I have since had a screening with HR, and they've invited me back to interview with various product team members. My question has to do with whether anyone else on HN has had experience working in project management at a large tech company in the valley. QUESTION: Does the PM role tend to be more technical (assisting with development of products) or broad-arching management (keeping multiple product teams on schedule and organized)?

ares2012 15y ago
Project managers, depending on the company, can be the project leads or the project scape goats. At well run companies the project manager is in charge of coordinating all the groups, running the project meetings and updating executives on progress (sometimes also called Program Managers). Poorly run companies use project managers to hide flaws in their internal processes and people. A great way to tell the difference is to ask them about the position and processes. If they are well defined and clean then they likely have their act together. If they are wishy-washy I would steer clear. Note that project management is VERY different than product management. Project managers are the tactical field commanders to the strategic generals that are product managers. If you really like product management then project management might not be for you. Feel free to ask more specific questions if you'd like.
- pminterview 15y ago
  I appreciate the insight, thanks. HR didn't share too many specifics as the position is for a new IT department, and so therefore the rep felt she couldn't tell me anymore than that. She gave me the same answer when I asked why the position wasn't advertised... I have experience leading projects successfully at small to mid-size companies, but I've never held the official title of 'project manager'. Nonetheless, the role is very fitting to my past work experience and personality. I just want to be prepared when I speak with the product team members. I imagine they could ask me anything from 'describe a time you led a project' to 'brain teasers' to 'writing code' and back around to 'how would you deal with a team member who is slacking?' Are these typical PM interview questions?
  - ares2012 15y ago
    In my admitted limited experience (I've worked with and hired PMs but never been one myself) typical questions can include: 1. Describe a project you have managed that went wrong and how you fixed it. 2. What process do you use to ensure a project is on track? How do you monitor it? 3. Employee A is behind schedule and Employee B can't move forward with their work until Employee A is done so they are falling behind. What is the best approach to get the project back on track? And the like. As you mention, it's very likely they will ask you some subject matter questions about managing IT projects. If they do ask you to write code I would be highly concerned since it would signal to me that they really have not defined the role of "project manager" very well. Good luck!

5 points by pminterview 15y ago

ares2012 15y ago

Project managers, depending on the company, can be the project leads or the project scape goats. At well run companies the project manager is in charge of coordinating all the groups, running the project meetings and updating executives on progress (sometimes also called Program Managers). Poorly run companies use project managers to hide flaws in their internal processes and people. A great way to tell the difference is to ask them about the position and processes. If they are well defined and clean then they likely have their act together. If they are wishy-washy I would steer clear. Note that project management is VERY different than product management. Project managers are the tactical field commanders to the strategic generals that are product managers. If you really like product management then project management might not be for you. Feel free to ask more specific questions if you'd like.

pminterview 15y ago
I appreciate the insight, thanks. HR didn't share too many specifics as the position is for a new IT department, and so therefore the rep felt she couldn't tell me anymore than that. She gave me the same answer when I asked why the position wasn't advertised... I have experience leading projects successfully at small to mid-size companies, but I've never held the official title of 'project manager'. Nonetheless, the role is very fitting to my past work experience and personality. I just want to be prepared when I speak with the product team members. I imagine they could ask me anything from 'describe a time you led a project' to 'brain teasers' to 'writing code' and back around to 'how would you deal with a team member who is slacking?' Are these typical PM interview questions?
- ares2012 15y ago
  In my admitted limited experience (I've worked with and hired PMs but never been one myself) typical questions can include: 1. Describe a project you have managed that went wrong and how you fixed it. 2. What process do you use to ensure a project is on track? How do you monitor it? 3. Employee A is behind schedule and Employee B can't move forward with their work until Employee A is done so they are falling behind. What is the best approach to get the project back on track? And the like. As you mention, it's very likely they will ask you some subject matter questions about managing IT projects. If they do ask you to write code I would be highly concerned since it would signal to me that they really have not defined the role of "project manager" very well. Good luck!