Cracking the PM Interview
by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, Jackie Bavaro · first published 2013
67% recommend33% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Covers the role of a product manager and common product frameworks, not just interview tactics; recommended for people preparing for PM interviews or new to product management who want an overview of the job.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Cracking the PM Interview is a comprehensive book about landing a product management role in a startup or bigger tech company. Learn how the ambiguously-named "PM" (product manager / program manager) role varies across companies, what experience you need, how to make your existing experience translate, what a great PM resume and cover letter look like, and finally, how to master the PM interview questions (estimation questions, behavioral questions, case questions, product questions, technical questions, and the super important "pitch").
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My $0.02, having been a PM for many years: Read Cracking the PM Interview [1] (for an overview of the job, not the actual interview tips) and The Lean Startup [2] (for general philosophy). 35 is a great age for a PM, especially since PM's often start elsewhere -- maturity…
on “Ask HN: Move to product management at 35?” ↗…The Product Manager’s Desk Reference * The Lean Startup * Agile Product Management with Scrum Interview preparation (good for breadth, even if you’re not applying for jobs): * Decode & Conquer * Cracking the PM interview Other good books for PMs: * Hooked * The Design of Everyday Things * Zero to One * Traction
on “Getting started in product management? Any recommended books?” ↗I've liked Cracking the PM Interview by Gayle Laakman. It's an interview book, yes, but it gives a good overview of the role and different frameworks to think about it. Also, Youtube videos by Product School.
on “Ask HN: Recommended texts for programmers dabbling with product management?” ↗…being a PM: - Inspired - The Product Manager's Desk Reference - The Lean Startup - Agile Product Management with Scrum Targeted at interview preparation, but good for breadth: - Decode & Conquer - Cracking the PM interview Other good books for PMs: - Talking to Humans - Hooked - The Design of Everyday Things - Zero to One - Traction
on “Ask HN: Taking on Some Product Manager Responsibilities: Book Recommendations?” ↗Cracking the PM interview Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works
on “Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more?” ↗Cracking the PM Interview
on “Ask HN: Books you would recommended for starting out in product management?” ↗Two good books for anyone interviewing PMs or being interviewed for a PM position are Decode & Conquer and Cracking the PM interview. Whilst both are focused on interviews rather than doing the job, they each contain some nuggets about how to think. As others have said, Inspired, Lean Startup and Four Steps are essential reading.
on “Ask HN: Must Read Books for a Product Manager” ↗…why and you will start to learn how they think about product decisions. This may not allow you to transition but you'll get experience that you don't have now. At the same time, I'd recommend reading 'Cracking the PM Interview' to prepare for the interview process. If you're ultimately not able to transition in your current company you should leave and interview for PM positions elsewhere. Feel free to email me (see my HN…
on “Ask HN: I want to transition from marketing to product. Where do I go from here?” ↗…pre-PM background is only slightly less varied than yours. Email me if you want to chat or want specific advice. I'd recommend you pick up a couple of PM interview books: (i) Decode and Conquer, (ii) Cracking the PM interview. They aren't just useful for interview preparation, but helpful in thinking whether you want to do this sort of job, how to prepare your CV etc.
on “Ask HN: Tips for making the entrepreneur-to-job jump” ↗…you are trying to jump up the proverbial software engineering ladder to fast... I would highly recommend you read the book: Decode and Conquer. I would also recommend Cracking the Coding Interview and Cracking the PM Interview. If you can solve those problems on a white board, you can pass a technical SE interview. I would also suggest you: 1. Work on a problem for a few minutes and try to solve it. If you can't, look at…
on “Ask HN: Is it possible for someone to not be cut out for software engineering?” ↗I recommend reading "cracking the pm interview" Then try to find a job either in product management or in a related field e.g. development, consulting, marketing, customer success (not QA or documentation)... source: I'm a manager of PM (product…
on “Ask HN: Product Managers, how did you get there and what's your background?” ↗cracking the pm interview book, then get an interview coach to grill you.
on “Ask HN: What are the top sites for prepping for TPM and PM interviews” ↗Have you read Cracking the PM Interview?
on “Ask HN: Best resources to prep for the Case Study portion of a PM interview?” ↗…question - advice oriented) but not the ask itself. Lastly, I interviewed with Google for a PM role and let nerves get the best of me. P.S. Things I have done outside of looking for a mentor: Readings: 1. Cracking the PM Interview 2. Cracking the Coding Interview 3. Many other PM books Learnings: 1. Advanced Project Management Certificate Stanford University 2. Various online PM courses (Coursera, UDacity, Edx) 3. General Assembly…
on “Ask HN: Anyone find it difficult to find a mentor (Product Management)?” ↗…HackReactor does for a developer applicant. As far as educational content, I think the only value I got was talking to current PMs about how the realities of their jobs differ from what you read in books like cracking the pm interview.
on “Ask HN: Move to product management at 35?” ↗