Interviewed By: Secretary
So firstly could you explain to us about the field of ‘Product Management’?
Hello everyone. Basically, as a product manager, one has to work with the Business, Technical and the User Experience functions and look into identifying the needs of the customer, the end-to-end process of ideation and development of product solutions that cater to those needs and finally making sure that the product reaches the customer.
Ok Kavita. Now as we have grabbed the basics of this field, could you describe the general interview process for your company?
First, there was a deck submission for which a problem statement(PS) was given and we got a window of 10–15 days to prepare it. Based on the deck, shortlisting was done. After that, we had our Campus interviews. There were 3 rounds. These rounds were related to Problem Solving, Product Thinking and Technical Understanding Cases.
Thanks Kavita for explaining about the general interview process. Could you please tell us about the first round?
In the first round, we had problem-solving and product-thinking cases. In Problem Solving Cases, we have to find hidden problems and their solutions for a given product. For example the usage of an app has gone down by 10%, why? In Product Thinking Cases, we have to come up with creative product solutions. For example design Netflix for kids. To prepare for these, one can go through books like Cracking the PM Interview and Preparing for Product Interviews by IIT Madras. StellarPeers is also a good platform for this. You must also form a case group along with people sharing similar interests and solve cases together.
That would be really helpful. Now can you tell us about the second round?
The second round was regarding technical understanding or products. I was asked questions about a popular app and how it worked from a backend point-of-view. Also, I had to list the technical elements that are at play to ensure that the app runs smoothly. I was also asked to describe how the algorithm of the app works and if I have to build a similar app, what are the technical elements and backend process flow I would incorporate. There were more such situational tech-questions and I was asked to describe some technical terms too. For this, one can refer to the book Swipe to Unlock and go through tech blogs of product-based companies.
So Kavita, is coding knowledge required for this field or an overview is enough?
It’s better to have some coding knowledge since a PM has to interact a lot with the technical team. But you’re not expected to actually code, you just need to know the basics of how things work.
Very well, then it’d be quite a nice alternative for all students who don’t like to code. Can you just enlighten us more about the third round?
In the third round, I was asked questions related to problem-solving strategies such as defining users for a particular app, determining KPIs to measure a particular parameter under certain constraints etc. Then the interviewer asked some questions regarding the field of product management, like “Why do you want to be a product manager?”,“Why are you the ideal candidate for this role?”,“Tell me about the time when you led a team” etc. It was more like a mentor to mentee discussion and he asked me if I had any questions too. I discussed with him the scope of this role at large.
I would like to clear one query that is, is it possible to have the preparation for both Consulting and Product Management?
Yes, it is possible to prepare for both. In fact, sometimes, we used to solve Consult cases from Case Interviews Cracked by IIT Bombay and DayOne by IIT Madras. It really helps in broadening the perspective.
Thank you Kavita for the insights. Does having a POR help in the shortlisting of the candidates?
I think if you have worked in a team, it really enhances your leadership skills and personality as a team player and that shows in the selection process.
I would like to ask, is it necessary to prepare for this field right from the first or second year?
For the first or second-year students, it is too early to prepare for any specific field and focus solely on placements. It is better to explore as much as possible and get a good understanding of the various areas that seem interesting and then make an informed decision for the future.
Surely, your advice will be really valuable for all of us. So, I think I have reached the end of my questions. So, is there any message you want to give to your juniors in KGP?
I would like to emphasise that the campus really has a lot to offer in every direction and the best way is to explore and learn along with your batchmates. That way the learning process becomes much more enjoyable. The seniors in KGP are the best resources and they are extremely approachable, they can guide you about what is right and what is not. Keep doing something, anything! Just don’t let the most beautiful years of your life go in vain. Make the most of it! All the best!
Hello everyone, today we have Kavita Priyadarshini who has been placed at Razorpay. So we are here to interview her regarding her preparations and strategies to crack the interview of this company. So firstly could you explain to us about the field of ‘Product Management’?
Hello everyone. Basically, as a product manager, one has to work with the Business, Technical and the User Experience functions and look into identifying the needs of the customer, the end-to-end process of ideation and development of product solutions that cater to those needs and finally making sure that the product reaches the customer.
Ok Kavita. Now as we have grabbed the basics of this field, could you describe the general interview process for your company?
First, there was a deck submission for which a problem statement(PS) was given and we got a window of 10–15 days to prepare it. Based on the deck, shortlisting was done. After that, we had our Campus interviews. There were 3 rounds. These rounds were related to Problem Solving, Product Thinking and Technical Understanding Cases.
Thanks Kavita for explaining about the general interview process. Could you please tell us about the first round?
In the first round, we had problem-solving and product-thinking cases. In Problem Solving Cases, we have to find hidden problems and their solutions for a given product. For example the usage of an app has gone down by 10%, why? In Product Thinking Cases, we have to come up with creative product solutions. For example design Netflix for kids. To prepare for these, one can go through books like Cracking the PM Interview and Preparing for Product Interviews by IIT Madras. StellarPeers is also a good platform for this. You must also form a case group along with people sharing similar interests and solve cases together.
That would be really helpful. Now can you tell us about the second round?
The second round was regarding technical understanding or products. I was asked questions about a popular app and how it worked from a backend point-of-view. Also, I had to list the technical elements that are at play to ensure that the app runs smoothly. I was also asked to describe how the algorithm of the app works and if I have to build a similar app, what are the technical elements and backend process flow I would incorporate. There were more such situational tech-questions and I was asked to describe some technical terms too. For this, one can refer to the book Swipe to Unlock and go through tech blogs of product-based companies.
So Kavita, is coding knowledge required for this field or an overview is enough?
It’s better to have some coding knowledge since a PM has to interact a lot with the technical team. But you’re not expected to actually code, you just need to know the basics of how things work.
Very well, then it’d be quite a nice alternative for all students who don’t like to code. Can you just enlighten us more about the third round?
In the third round, I was asked questions related to problem-solving strategies such as defining users for a particular app, determining KPIs to measure a particular parameter under certain constraints etc. Then the interviewer asked some questions regarding the field of product management, like “Why do you want to be a product manager?”,“Why are you the ideal candidate for this role?”,“Tell me about the time when you led a team” etc. It was more like a mentor to mentee discussion and he asked me if I had any questions too. I discussed with him the scope of this role at large.
I would like to clear one query that is, is it possible to have the preparation for both Consulting and Product Management?
Yes, it is possible to prepare for both. In fact, sometimes, we used to solve Consult cases from Case Interviews Cracked by IIT Bombay and DayOne by IIT Madras. It really helps in broadening the perspective.
Thank you Kavita for the insights. Does having a POR help in the shortlisting of the candidates?
I think if you have worked in a team, it really enhances your leadership skills and personality as a team player and that shows in the selection process.
I would like to ask, is it necessary to prepare for this field right from the first or second year?
For the first or second-year students, it is too early to prepare for any specific field and focus solely on placements. It is better to explore as much as possible and get a good understanding of the various areas that seem interesting and then make an informed decision for the future.
Surely, your advice will be really valuable for all of us. So, I think I have reached the end of my questions. So, is there any message you want to give to your juniors in KGP?
I would like to emphasise that the campus really has a lot to offer in every direction and the best way is to explore and learn along with your batchmates. That way the learning process becomes much more enjoyable. The seniors in KGP are the best resources and they are extremely approachable, they can guide you about what is right and what is not. Keep doing something, anything! Just don’t let the most beautiful years of your life go in vain. Make the most of it! All the best!