Guest blog by Furkan Akyurek
The Kilts Center’s PM/PMM interview workshop stands out as one of the most valuable events I’ve attended at Booth. It provided practical, actionable guidance that has already proven helpful and will continue to benefit me both in the short and long term. The Kilts team deserves immense credit for organizing such an engaging and insightful session, as well as for bringing in accomplished Booth alumni from diverse tech roles across the country to share their expertise and lead the workshop.
1. Why did you choose to attend the Tech PM/PMM Interview Prep Workshop?
Two reasons: Firstly, I don’t want to be like a deer caught in the headlights when I need to interview for the Tech PM and PMM roles. Secondly, the workshop offered an unparalleled opportunity to not only get ready for the interview, but also to meet and learn from Booth alumni working at world leading companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Experian and more. When I first read the announcement about the workshop in Kilts’ email newsletter, I immediately knew this was going to be an incredible experience and signed up.
2. What valuable insights from the sessions would you share with others pursuing tech PM/PMM roles?
One of my biggest takeaways is just how essential it is to use frameworks and to keep your thoughts organized. This really stood out during both sessions. For example, in the session I attended with Tess Belton ’21 from Meta, we got a prompt about launching a specific product to the market. At first, it felt pretty overwhelming, but Tess helped us break it down into three simple phases: Pre-launch, Launch, and Post-launch. Tackling each phase one step at a time, starting with setting clear goals for the launch, made the whole process feel much more manageable. Tess reminded us to stay focused on those goals as we worked through each section of the framework. While I know I still have some refining to do, watching Tess methodically break down each part and approach it so creatively really showed me what a standout interview response looks like.
Here are some crucial tips I learned from Tess that could be useful for others:
- Always test the product before the interview, even if it’s a B2B product.
- You don’t need to know the internal specifics of the company. You should demonstrate you can:Think comprehensively, e.g. use MECE frameworks, order in terms of the marketing funnel or priority
- Articulate yourself clearly
- Be collaborative with your interviewer
- Be resourceful when the ownership isn’t clear
- Be creative
- Know the company and product missions
- Work on positioning exercises to get better and faster
Similarly, my second session with Jaqueline Sanches ’22 from Experian was a game-changer. We learned how to tackle problems even when the information is scarce. Just like in the first session, having a solid framework was our secret weapon for keeping our thoughts from spiraling into chaos. While a lot of the tips from the first sessions still applied, what really clicked for me was seeing how specific bits of information could totally change the way you approach a problem. This experience underscored the importance of being flexible and quick on your feet, especially when interviews throw those curveball questions your way. Basically, it taught me to stay cool and adapt, even when things get a little murky.
3. Did you gain any unexpected benefits from the workshop?
Having years of product management experience, I initially thought the workshop would cover familiar ground. But, I was pleasantly surprised by how it provided a clear assessment of my current skills and highlighted specific areas to focus on to improve my interview performance.
What really stood out was the networking session with alumni. Connecting with these experienced professionals gave me valuable insights into the companies I’m targeting. I got tailored advice on which courses to take—and which ones to skip—and listened to their stories about their time at Booth and how they navigated the same recruitment processes we’re tackling now. It was incredibly helpful and made the whole experience even more worthwhile.
4. How did engaging with alumni add to your experience or understanding of PM/PMM roles?
Engaging with alumni was immensely beneficial, because it provided insights into the interview processes of the firms they represented. Learning how they approached interview questions and tackled problems offered me a unique view that is often not available through standard preparation materials. Also, discussing their roles in detail gave me a clear picture of the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges they face, showing me what it takes to succeed in these roles.
On top of that, the Booth alumni shared some useful career advice and tips for navigating the tech industry. Listening to their personal stories and success journeys was inspiring and gave me a boost of confidence as I gear up for my own interviews.
5. Is there a quote or take away from the workshop that stands out to you?
“Break down the problem into digestible components, structure your thoughts, understand the company and its products, and articulate your solution clearly.”
6. What advice would you give to others preparing for tech PM/PMM interviews?
Investing time in interview preparation is important, and there are numerous excellent resources available both online and through Booth (coaching sessions with career services, career advisory sessions with fellow classmates, etc.) Beyond structured study, I recommend actively using the products from the companies you’re targeting to gain a deeper understanding of their features and user experience. This hands-on approach can provide valuable context and insights for the interview.
Additionally, visiting websites like Mobbin.com, GoodUI.org, Growth.design, and subscribing to Lenny’s Newsletter can help you stay informed about the latest design trends, growth strategies, and best practices in product management and marketing. These resources can give you a competitive edge by allowing you to better understand behind the scenes of product decisions.
