Lenny Rachitsky recommends a three-part approach: research, practice, and study, while warning that interview skill isn't the same as being ready for the job2. Practice with real people matters most, since mock interviews build interviewing skill more than passive reading does2.
01Research and practice
- Research the product, the company, and its interview process to see which skills it values most2.
- Use mock interviews with real people and coaching, which Rachitsky ranks above passive reading2.
- Prepare stories for behavioral prompts about conflict, mistakes, and impact before the interview2.
02Frameworks and product sense
- Learn a small set of structured frameworks, such as CIRCLES for design questions, STAR or DIGS for behavioral questions, and RICE for prioritization2.
- For product sense interviews, Ben Erez says interviewers score five dimensions: communication, product motivation, segmentation, problem identification, and solution development, and a weak score in one cannot be offset by another7. Every dimension is a must-pass7.
- Erez advises stating 2-4 assumptions and a game plan up front, then confirming the interviewer agrees7.
03Avoid common mistakes
- Teresa Torres points to the common mistakes candidates make in PM interviews and suggests reviewing them beforehand3.
“Be careful about becoming so good at interviewing that you get into a role you aren't ready for.”Lenny Rachitsky · Lenny’s Newsletter
Written by PM Atlas from the cited notes only, drawing on Lenny Rachitsky, Teresa Torres. Quotes are short excerpts; read the originals for the full argument.