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Pinterest Product Manager Interview Guide

Interview Guide Apr 19

The role of a Pinterest Product Manager

Product Management refers to working on product development and promotion with the primary objective of raising revenue, earnings and profit margins. A PM is responsible for evaluating market trends, overseeing product growth, and deciding the features of their product. The interviews are challenging due to the amount of decision-making involved in the process and the inclusion of a wide range of topics with a number of questions.

Pinterest's mission is to make people feel more inspired, hopeful, and creative. It allows people to reconnect with themselves while also discovering new things to attempt. This is what has made it one of the world's most recognizable brands. Pinterest is an equal opportunity employer that hires people based on merit. They want the most qualified people in each position.

The following interview guide will take you through the steps of interviewing for a Product Manager role at Pinterest, with guidelines and sample questions to assist you through the process.

Pinterest Product Manager Interview Guide

The interview process starts with an online application on Pinterest's careers page or through LinkedIn. It is also possible to do so with the assistance of a recruiter. You will go through the following stages during the process:

  • Application
  • Call with a recruiter
  • Telephonic interview with the hiring manager
  • On-site interviews

Considering the current pandemic situation, onsite interviews may be moved to skype interviews if visiting the location is not possible.

What is the Application Process at Pinterest?

The application for the position of a product manager is completed in the same manner as any other job application. You can apply through LinkedIn or through the Pinterest Careers page. 

Make sure that all of your documentation is up to date.

If you are shortlisted after reviewing your resume and cover letter, a recruiter will contact you within 4 to 5 working days, if not sooner.

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Phone Screen

Overview

A phone call with a recruiter is the initial stage in the process. This is a relatively casual talk that focuses on your conduct and previous experiences. The recruiter wants to ensure that you are qualified for the position you have applied for. The call will not last more than 30 minutes.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Your conductibility
  • Your inclination towards the role
  • Whether you are eligible
  • Your past experience and expertise

Tips

  • Take this opportunity to clear all your doubts related to the working of the role.
  • Do some research on the company and its market presence.
  • Make a point of organizing your previous accomplishments and emphasizing them when necessary.
  • Despite the fact that the setting is casual, do not allow yourself to be anything other than formal.

Interview Questions

  • Tell me something about yourself that isn’t mentioned in your resume.
  • Why do you feel like leaving your previous job?
  • What was the work culture like at your previous workplace?
  • Is there any project that you are specifically very proud of?
  • What do you know about Pinterest?
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Telephonic Round

Overview

The initial interview is followed by a second telephonic interview. This interview will be with a recruiting manager and will focus on your experience and if you satisfy the requirements for a final on-site interview. Here are a few things to bear in mind:

  • You can expect a number of situational and behavioral questions.
  • The interview will be about 45-60 mins long.
  • Some technical and analytical questions can also be asked.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Whether you are equipped enough to take the workload.
  • If you are inclusive and work as a team.
  • How creative your ideas are.
  • Whether you can work with cross-functional teams.
  • Your analytical skills.
  • Your time management and situation handling skills.

Tips

  • You may be given some hypothetical difficulties for which you must come up with inventive and on-the-spot solutions. Make sure to practice some situational questions ahead of time and explore some challenges Pinterest may have encountered in the past so you can come up with good solutions.
  • Include your thoughts and opinions in each step. Pinterest loves unique ideas, and nothing excites them more than a creative approach to practical challenges.

Interview Questions

  • How would you decide where to place ads on Pinterest?
  • How would you improve the interest of travelers on Pinterest?
  • What do you think are the major responsibilities of a product manager?
  • How would you increase WhatsApp user engagement?
  • Can you design a shopping experience for Netflix?
  • Tell me about a time when you were efficient in finding a client requirement.
  • What do you think is the best way to respond to a customer whose requirement cannot be fulfilled?
  • Should Netflix provide a freemium service? Why do you believe that?
  • How would you design Pinterest for kids?
  • Can you suggest a way to improve monetization at Pinterest?

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On-Site Round

Overview

The following interview, the final one, is a series of on-site interviews with the department head, recruiters, and current product managers. These rounds could span anywhere from 30-45 minutes, depending on the interviewers. You will be asked hypothetical questions throughout the interview, as well as tested on your technical skills and previous job experiences. PM fundamentals such as product knowledge, analytical abilities, and strategy questions, as well as a bunch of technical questions, will be asked.

What the interviewer will assess

  • Calculation of growth metrics for e-commerce.
  • Corporate ease.
  • Ability to identify possible risks and how to deal with them.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Core knowledge.

Tips

  • This interview will attempt to unearth your personality as well as how you might fit into the company and career. So, keep your thoughts ahead of the discussion and continue to be interactive. Take part in answering questions and putting your thoughts forward.
  • Attempt to examine performance, address factors influencing the organization, and lastly recommend initiatives to expand and promote long-term business success.
  • Try to be as sensible as possible in your response and avoid ambiguity. It gives the interviewer the impression that you lack an in-depth understanding of the subject.
  • Prepare to dig deeper into questions that put you to the test. The interviewer will not be satisfied with a brief response and will expect you to demonstrate your proficiency in the topic.

Interview Questions

  • How do you keep the user in mind while working on something new?
  • Tell us about an instance when you used data to influence a major stakeholder.
  • How can you tell if a product has been well designed?
  • How many iPads are sold in the United States each year?
  • What method do you use to prioritize tasks?
  • How do you see your career progressing over the next five years?
  • How would you make the functionality ten times better than it is now?
  • If given a chance to redesign our product, what would you change and why?
  • How would you describe Pinterest to your grandma?
  • What is the major component of a good interface?
  • What is Pinterest’s best feature according to you and can it be made any better?
  • Make a suggestion for a new Amazon feature. What measurements would you apply to assess its success?
  • How do you know if the price of a product is justified?
  • Can you name some of our competitors?
  • What role do engineers and technical teams play as stakeholders? How can they be included in the overall product vision?
  • If you want to create the world's most popular mobile messaging app, you must predict how much network bandwidth will be consumed in a year. What steps would you take to accomplish this?
  • How would you react if you were an interviewer and a candidate offered a measure that you were unaware of?

What is the Hiring and Decision Process at Pinterest?

Following the interviews, all of the interviewers will have an extensive meeting to examine all of their strengths and limitations before deciding whether or not to hire you. If you are recommended by the majority of the interviewers, you would be contacted by the recruiter within 2 to 3 days to discuss your role, joining, salary and other relevant details. Good Luck!

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