How to Prepare for a Microsoft PM Interview With Mukta Agarwal

Hey there! Want to land your dream product manager job? We’ve got you covered.

Check out our 2,500+ product manager interview questions database with answers from expert product managers.

In our Microsoft program (product manager) interview guide, we provide a clear overview of what to expect at every stage of the application and interview process. This includes everything from the responsibilities of a Microsoft PM to the interview structure to the salary scale.

While all of this information is important, there’s no replacement for first-hand knowledge. And that’s why we connected with Mukta Agarwal, a knowledgeable product manager who was able to recently pass the Microsoft PM interview. 

Our interview touches on all aspects of preparing for a Microsoft product manager interview. 

How did you prepare for your Microsoft interview?

Roughly six months back, I decided to switch from my current company to a top tech company. And with that, I set my sights on Microsoft among a handful of others. I had a 10-step thought process while preparing:

• Update my resume with current skills and experience.
• Explore PM career opportunities on all applicable job platforms.
• Connect with my network for references.
• Maintain a job tracker to keep an updated list of positions I applied for.
• Spend two to three hours per day preparing, especially after I received the Microsoft interview screening call.
• Learn more about the current structure of the questions commonly asked at Microsoft.
• Resume review to ensure familiarity and to create examples to back up the information shared. 
• Preparation focused on system design, product design, and estimation questions, as these are common at Microsoft. 
• Preparation focused on soft skills and non-technical questions, including frameworks for answering them. 
• Practice, practice, and practice some more. 

How many hours did you spend preparing for your Microsoft PM interview?

I spent a minimum of two to three hours per day preparing for my Microsoft interview. Keep in mind there were around six rounds of interviews spread over one and a half months. So, within the window of three days before my next interview round, I increased preparation time to four hours daily.

During preparation, I made note of the interview questions I was practicing, what I did well, and the areas needing improvement. After an interview, I reviewed my notes and immediately began to prepare for the next round. This kept me grounded along the way. 

How many mock interviews did you practice?

I found these to be helpful, so I completed three mock interviews in the lead-up to the real process beginning. These interviews prepared me for a real-world interview, which calmed my nerves and allowed me to answer with confidence. 

How closely did you follow the frameworks provided by PM Exercises?

The frameworks at PM Exercises helped me to navigate estimation, product design, scenario-based and system design interview questions. They were very helpful and very detailed. I didn’t have to search elsewhere for the information I was seeking.

The questions asked at Microsoft were not exactly the same as the framework, but they could be easily related. So, if you have thoroughly practiced the questions at PM exercises, you’ll feel more confident answering in your interview. Overall, I was able to follow the framework shared by PM Exercises. 

What did you find most helpful about PM Exercises?

I found the community and interview questions to be very detailed and structured. These were perfect for preparing for PM jobs at top tech companies. The community and the long list of interview questions helped me excel through the entirety of the Microsoft interview process.

What is your advice to people preparing for their product manager interviews?

Read a lot and get into the habit of practicing as much as you can. Also, make a personal diary of your progress and take detailed notes for future review. You should also take the time to understand the structure and framework for the types of questions asked. This helps you understand what the interview is trying to get out of you.

You can easily answer any type of question if you understand the rationale behind it and have experience-based examples to fit in the structure. 

Summary

A big thanks to Mukta Agarwal for sharing her advice on how to prepare for a Microsoft product manager interview. If you’re interested in following in her footsteps, the information above will help you prepare accordingly.

When you’re ready to take your preparation to the next level, review our long list of Microsoft PM interview questions, sign up for mock interviews, and take our course.