Thread by @petergyang

I'm often asked how to ace the PM product sense interview.

It's quite simple really but few know these tricks:

1/ My product sense framework is:

Mission
Problem
Vision
Solution
MVP

Let's explore with a winning example from a FANG interview: "How would you design an alarm clock?"

2/ Mission

Candidate:
"Well, first, I'd like to start with the mission to make humanity a multi-planetary species."

Interviewer:
"Huh?"

Takeaway:
Make your mission a BIG DEAL to WOW your interviewer.

3/ Problem

Candidate:
"What does someone want to wake up to? Music, a bell, or the price of dogecoin? Ambitious people want to wake up to doge."

Interviewer:
"Wait, what?"

Takeaway:
List a few problems but solve the MOST IMPORTANT customer problem.

4/ Vision

Candidate:
"Our vision is a clock that helps humanity get to Mars in 3 years."

Interviewer:
"I..."

Takeaway:
Your vision is what the world will look like when your mission is achieved. Show your OUT OF THE BOX thinking here.

5/ Solution

Candidate:
"Now the clock can:
1. Announce the price of dogecoin.
2. #1, followed by @elonmusk shouting, "Get your ass to Mars!"
3. #2, followed by one hour of Shiba barking.

Takeaway:
Your solutions need to tie back to your VISION and solve your CUSTOMER PROBLEM.

6/ MVP

Interviewer:
"Wow, just wow. So what's the MVP?"

Candidate:
"There's no MVP when it comes to Mars! Everything is P0 + a rocket (also P0). It's only day 1 - let's build!"

Takeaway:
You'll NEVER achieve your audacious vision if you start cutting scope.

7/ I hope you enjoyed my PM fan fiction.

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