Meta Program Manager Interview Guide

Interview Guide 09 Aug 2024

Detailed, specific guidance on the Meta Program Manager interview process - with a breakdown of different stages and interview questions asked at each stage

The role of a Meta Program Manager

Program managers typically handle a set of projects (and in some situations, a team of project managers) that are related by a common aspect, such as a single company aim. They are also responsible for strategy, making certain that everything is moving in the right direction and on time.

An effective program manager will aid in the formation of a more cohesive and successful team. Therefore, when organizations seek candidates to manage various projects and teams, they go through a thorough screening process to ensure that the candidate has a good impact on individuals as well as the company.

This guide will walk you through the Meta Program Manager interview process, including useful tips and tricks to help you ace the interview. You might also benefit from reviewing the Amazon Program Manager and Google Program Manager guides.

Meta Program Manager Interview Guide

The interview process at Meta normally takes 4 to 6 weeks, although it can easily take longer if there are a large number of people applying for the post. You will go through the following steps:

  • Application
  • Phone screen with a recruiter
  • Phone screen with a hiring manager
  • On-site interviews

Meta Program Manager : Application

To begin the interviewing process, you must first apply online at Meta's careers page or through a recruiter on LinkedIn. To be considered for an interview, you'll need to have a strong resume and cover letter, as Meta is never short of brilliant applicants.

When you have all of your documents in order, you are ready to apply. Also, if at all feasible, get an employee or contact at Meta to refer you to the internal recruiting department.

Relevant Guides

Meta Program Manager : Round 1

Overview

In most scenarios, you'll begin your interview with Meta by speaking with an HR recruiter over the phone. They want to know if you have a possibility of landing the job, so be prepared to discuss your past experiences and why you'd be a good fit at Meta.

If you pass the first HR screening, the recruiter will assist you in scheduling an interview with the hiring manager. One wonderful thing about Meta is that they are quite clear and straightforward about their recruiting process, and once you pass this initial screening, they will usually offer you further information on the remaining phases in the hiring process by sharing a PDF that covers the interview procedure for the role.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Your experience with program management.
  • Your flexibility to fit in the profile.
  • Your role-related knowledge and experience.
  • Cultural fit.

Tips

  • This round is entirely based on your previous experiences. Make a point of revising all of your achievements and projects in the industry and being prepared to talk about them in a concise and clear manner.
  • You'll typically work in cross-functional teams, and different team members are expected to stand up and lead at various stages throughout a project's lifetime when their abilities are required. So make sure to demonstrate to the interviewer that you have a strong leadership style.

Interview Questions

  • Tell me about yourself and why do you think that you are a good match for this position?
  • Do you have a reason for leaving your current job?
  • How often do you come up with new ideas that actually seem to be feasible?
  • What is an ideal work environment for you?
  • If you were an interviewer, what skills would you look for in a Program Manager?

Meta Program Manager : Round 2

Overview

Following the recruiter’s call, you'll normally have an interview session with the hiring manager for the position. The questions you'll be asked during this interview will be similar to those you'll be asked at the onsite interviews.

 The main goal of this interview is to assess your essential abilities and expertise in the field and determine whether it is worthwhile to proceed with the onsite interviews. Stretching for about 45 minutes, this interview will focus more on technical and situational questions.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Your technical and core knowledge.
  • Your knowledge and research about Meta.
  • Your potential to come up with ideas in a short period of time.
  • Your efficiency in putting forward innovative ideas and questions.

Tips

  • When you're thinking about what you want to emphasize in your interview, don't forget to include facts. This allows your interviewer to comprehend not only your total achievements like meeting but also the scope of your influence.
  • Bring any questions you have to the interview. This reflects not only your interest in Meta and the position you're going for but also your attentiveness in researching the company. This is also your opportunity to interview them.
  • We recommend researching how Meta handles program sense interviews. Consider reading numerous blog entries and experiences offered by others on the internet as a beginning point. Consider reviewing the Meta Technical Program Manager and Google Technical Program Manager guides.

Interview Questions

  • How do you strategize a new project?
  • You are given 12 months to come up with a new product. Explain how you would do it and what steps you would take to launch the product in the market.
  • How would you evaluate the success of Meta events?
  • Tell me about a moment when someone persuaded you to change your view on something. What were your thoughts on it?
  • Would you consider increasing the expiration period for Instagram stories if you are a PM? What metrics would you use to make your decision?
  • How would you set and track a goal for Meta reactions?
  • In a heavily matrixed environment with no top-down authority, how would you manage timelines?
  • Tell me about a time when you failed and what you learned as a result of it.
  • Tell me about your experience in program management.
  • Tell me about a program that you oversaw from start to finish.
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Meta Program Manager : Round 3

Overview

The onsite interviews are the final significant part of the interview process. You'll normally spend a full day interviewing with Meta for this. Each interview will run approximately 45 minutes and will most likely cover one of the following subjects:

  • Program sense: You'll be tested on your program management and execution skills in this section.
  • Partnership: Here, you must demonstrate your capacity to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Leadership: You'll need to showcase that you've actively and efficiently led teams in the past.
  • Technical: You will be asked questions about the functional area for which you have applied, as well as technical questions.

Expect your interviews to be heavily focused on program management abilities like meeting deadlines and juggling competing aims; and cooperation abilities like working cross-functionally and communication. 

In addition to these interviews, you will have lunch with another program manager while on site. The lunch interview is intended to be an opportunity for you to ask questions about what it's like to work at Meta. During this time, the interviewers will not be micro-analyzing you, but it’s helpful if you appear as if they were.

For additional preparation, look into the Amazon Technical Program Manager guide.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Your core PM competencies (product ideation, brainstorming, prioritization, MVP thinking, execution, metrics, and iteration skills), as well as your experience in the field.
  • If you can express your ideas and opinions well.
  • How innovative your ideas are.

Tips

  • When the interviewers are discussing your job and the role in question, express your opinions, ask questions, and don't be hesitant to work through the situation with them.
  • Try utilizing the STAR technique to answer the questions. The STAR approach is an organized way of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by detailing the exact situation, task, action, and result that you are describing.
  • Pause for a minute if necessary before offering your solution. Don’t ramble. Make sure your concept is clear and well-thought-out before presenting it to the interviewers.

Interview Questions

  • What dashboard would you create if you were Lyft's product manager to monitor the app's health?
  • Give an example of how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams and what role you played.
  • What do you do to keep yourself motivated?
  • Suggest 2 ways to improve the engagement of older people with Meta.
  • How would you calculate the total number of gas stations in the USA?
  • If you were the Meta Live Product Manager, what features would you prioritize?
  • Tell me about an issue you encountered while transitioning from strategy to implementation.
  • What next update would you want to bring in WhatsApp?
  • Do you follow an ethical code that allows you to be a better manager?
  • What distinguishes your obligations from those of your project managers?
  • What is your background in program charters?
  • What technology and tools do you believe are required for you to succeed in your role?
  • What would you do if an interviewer failed to appear?
  • Do you think it’s time for Meta to step into the employment and dating market?
  • How do you handle tension and ambiguity in an ongoing project?
  • What do you think others will describe you as?
  • What project are you most proud of?
  • What is the best compliment you've ever gotten in your current position?

Decision and Hiring Process

Following the onsite, the five interviewers will make a recommendation on whether or not to hire you, and the recruiter will assemble your "package" (interview feedback, resume, referrals, etc.). If they believe you have a good chance of getting the job, they will submit your case at the next candidate evaluation meeting.

Candidate review sessions are held to evaluate all candidates who have recently completed their interview loops and are on the verge of receiving an offer. Your material will be reviewed, and any issues that arise will be addressed.

After the candidate review meeting, a hire/no hire recommendation is provided for the hiring committee's consideration. If it’s a yes, you get the offer letter within 2 working days! 

Frequently Asked Questions