The Google Associate Product Manager (APM) Program is one of the most sought-after programs for entry-level Product Managers in the industry. Newbies to Product Management get to work on a variety of Google products that impact millions of people across the globe. In short, when you’re a part of the Google APM Program, it’s going to be a very big deal since you get the seal of approval from a top-tier company in tech.

But how do you get accepted to the APM Program? And, more importantly, with an acceptance rate of only about 0.55%, how do stand out from the rest of the candidates that are also vying for a spot? We answer questions like these and more today.

What will be covered

• What is the Google APM Program?
• APM Application Process and Interview Overview
• How to Prepare for the Google APM Program Interview
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Google APM Program?

The Google APM Program is an initiative that started in 2002 as a means of developing and training fresh talent to become new product leaders to join the company. The program is a way for Google to train a PM “from scratch”, allowing the candidate to be trained on how Google operates and builds products, and be molded into the innovation-driven culture of the organization. 

The number of people that will be accepted reaches about 40 to 50. Rather than having formal training, APMs will have to think on their feet and learn on the job under the supervision of coaches and mentors. 

Let’s learn more basic information about the program:

Google APM Program Basics

Start Date and Duration

The rotational program lasts for 2 years. The candidates engage in two one-year rotations, each on a different product. The opportunity opens every year, to start on the following calendar year. For example, upon writing this article, the next start date is August 2023. 

Currently, applications are being accepted starting September 5, 2022. Those who are interested are advised to complete their application on or before September 9, 2022. For updates as well as the full application process, please check here.

Mentorship

Because the program’s goal is to mold and train future product leaders, APMs will have access to plenty of mentorship opportunities:

Alumni APM Adviser

The Alumni Adviser is a PM who once went through the APM Program. Because of this person’s experience, he or she will be able to give valuable insight on how to make the most out of the program.  

APM Buddy

The APM Buddy is an APM who has gone through their first year. The buddy will be the best person to answer questions and share his or her advice on something based on their own experience.  

Management Coach

Google doesn’t just aim to develop a candidate’s skill and experience. The company also assigns a management coach, tailored to each APM. This person is for one-on-one development training to help the APM achieve both personal and professional goals.

APM Responsibilities

While going through the program, an APM is expected to perform the following responsibilities:

• Understand markets, competition, and user requirements in depth.
• Launch products and features, test their performance and iterate quickly.
• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Marketing, Legal, UX, etc. on technologies.
• Develop innovative solutions to problems by collaborating as needed across regions, product areas, and functions.

This is based on the listing that was posted on careers.google.com. These descriptions may sound intimidating but they are all done under the supervision of the mentors mentioned. The simplified version of an APM’s responsibilities could look like this:

• Determine what the important problems to solve are.
• Identify how the team should approach the problem.
• Make sure that the solution that has been determined happens.

Who can apply to the program?

Unlike the Facebook RPM Program where anyone from different educational backgrounds can apply for a position, the APM Program has minimum qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or graduated from a degree program in Computer Science or a related field.
• Internship and/or teaching assistant experience in software development or related field.
• Experience leading entrepreneurial efforts or outreach within organizations while building cross-functional relationships.
• Experience preparing and delivering technical presentations to an audience through internships, coursework, or extracurriculars.

Google has also specified that qualified applicants should have less than 2 years of industry Product Management experience.

For those who are interested to become APMs, it’s important to remind yourselves that Google is a tech company. With their specification of a candidate’s educational background, it’s presumed that the right APM will have the foundational tech knowledge to be able to work on Google products efficiently.

What skills is Google looking for in an APM?

Aside from being technically inclined, Google is looking for Associate Product Managers who possess and are open to growing the following skills:

• Technical
• Design thinking
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork

As an applicant, you have to take note that these will be the core areas that the APM will be working on so it’s best to hone these skills even before you go into the Google APM interview. It’s also ideal if you show off your aptitude for these skills in your resume by:

• Including the organizations, projects, or other extra-curricular activities you’ve led.
• Adding any internship and/or teaching experience in a technical field.
• Exhibiting a passion for technology (joined a hackathon or developed a piece of software on the side, for example).

Program Locations

The program is going to happen in offices in the following locations: Mountain View, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA; San Bruno, CA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA.

Unfortunately, there is no remote option for this program.

Pay and Perks

One of the perks of getting accepted into the Google APM Program is the high annual salary. According to Glassdoor, a Google APM can be paid as much as $158K a year for full-time work for two years.

There’s also the APM trip which allows APMs to go around the world for a period of two weeks. During the trip, the entire batch participates in activities to explore different markets, understand Google users, and bond with each other.

Other than the main trip, APMs will also get to go on mini-trips for three days where they visit different cities in the United States. The class forms groups of ten. The goal is to learn about a specific industry. APMs will be able to meet local companies to learn more about the kind of work they are doing.

APM Application Process and Interview Overview

The process starts with an online application. It is mandatory for all interested candidates to submit their applications through the jobs page.

In the “Resume” section, candidates have to attach an updated CV or resume. There’s no need to attach a cover letter.

A copy of one’s official or unofficial transcript is necessary and should be uploaded in the “Higher education” portion of the page. Fields should be filled out accordingly, selecting “Now attending” under “Degree status.” All applicants will be notified by the end of the year with an update.

After the applications are screened by the recruiting team, the interview process will start. Below is the typical interview process:

• Phone Interview with a PM at Google
• Written Assignment
• Second Round of Interviews
• Final Interview with an Executive

The interview process itself is straightforward. In between, there may be warm-up questions, casual conversations, questions about Product Management, technical or design questions, and more. 

It’s advantageous to be fully prepared by practicing what the interview will mainly focus on: 

Product

Product questions focus on design and strategy. Applicants should understand the users, address their needs, identify trade-offs, make roadmaps, and be familiar with the industry in general.

If you would like to learn more product design and strategy questions, you can check out the PM Exercises database through these links:

• Product Design
• Product Strategy

Analytical

Analytical questions assess your ability to break down complex tasks which may not have a clear right answer. These types of questions have to be broken down into “bite-size pieces” that are easier to solve.

If you would like to learn more product design and strategy questions, you can check out the PM Exercises database through these links:

• Metrics
• Problem Solving
• Estimation

Technical

APMS will be working closely with teams of engineers so this portion of the interview will be vital. Candidates have to know how to gauge technical feasibility, explore alternatives, and set timelines. It’s beneficial to have a foundational knowledge of algorithms and to systematically convey technical concepts.

We have compiled a list of FREE technical resources that you can check out here: Free Product Manager Resources to Sharpen Your Tech Skills

How to Prepare for the Google APM Program

So how are you going to prepare for the interview as well as the APM Program itself? Here are some suggestions:

Create a Solid Resume

We wrote an article about how you can create a Product Manager resume that stands out. Read Product Manager Resume: A Complete Guide Plus 2022 Examples if you would like to learn how you can make a resume specifically for the PM role. Mostly, the key reminders that you should remember are:

• Tailor your resume to the job description. For example, applicants with baseline knowledge of algorithms, make sure you reflect that on your resume.
• Use action words to quantify your metrics to provide context to your recruiter in terms of the potential that you’re bringing to the table.
• Keep things concise. This doesn’t mean that you shorten your resume. This just means that you should prioritize what you show to the recruiter.
• Have friends or colleagues take a look at your resume. Ask them for feedback.

Referrals

If you know someone who works in Google and is willing to vouch for you professionally, ask them to do so. Your chances of making it to the interview will be better.

Include Side Projects

Google is looking for an APM with a passion for technology. You have to show that you have this by showing off the side projects you’ve worked on or the hackathons that you have joined. If you haven’t had the chance to work on any project yet, it’s something that you can work on before handing over your application.

Go Through a PM Interview Course if Needed

If you’re someone who has less than two years of experience, you may want to take a course that will allow you to learn, be familiar with, and practice answering PM interview questions. The course should be able to teach you how to ace your PM interview, give you solid tips, and help you impress the interviewer.

Check out the course available at PM Exercises. The PM Interview Prep Course has more than 100 video hours and online lessons available. You’ll hear from more experienced PMs about how their own interviews went and read company guides (Google included) that could be beneficial to your interview process.

Practice Answering PM Interview Questions

Remember that there are three main areas the interview will focus on – product (design and strategy), analytical (estimation, metrics, execution), and technical. Focus on finding questions in these categories for you to practice.

At PM Exercises, we have compiled over 2000 PM interview questions with answers given by our PM Community. Our community of PMs who are also preparing for their own interviews gave feedback on the answers to the questions, allowing those who are reading it to look at the answers from the perspective of the interviewer.

Another way that you can practice answering PM interview questions is by practicing with a partner. On PM Exercises, we have a feature called “Practice” where you can find other PMs who also want to partner up for a mock interview.

Continue Practicing

Continue practicing until you feel like you’re fully equipped for the interview. Please remember that preparing for a PM interview usually takes about four to eight weeks so make the most out of it.

General Tips for the Google APM Interview Process

Be Empathetic 

Remember that you’re going to be the ambassador for your users within the organization so make sure that you represent them and their needs appropriately. Show empathy towards your users and step into their shoes.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is such a vital part of Product Management. From the roadmap that PMs make to giving feedback, to the conversations that need to happen, communication is going to play a major role in succeeding as an APM. Work on your communication skills, and don’t forget to hone your listening skills as well.

There’s Always Room for Improvement

As a Product Manager, one of your jobs is to make products better. Always look for ways to improve a product or service. Google is all about innovation so make sure that this comes across when you are doing your APM interview.

Google APM Program Conclusion

The Google APM Program is a program that’s very competitive. Only a handful of people get accepted every year from the tens of thousands that apply. However, it’s one of the biggest opportunities that you will go through.

Just remember to be consistent with practicing for your PM interview, work on the skills and talents that Google is looking for, do as many mock interviews as you can, and get help and insight into Product Management and the interview process by going through a PM prep course.

By the end of the APM Program, the candidate has the choice to stay with the company, become a PM, or shift into another role within the organization. Alternatively, you can also venture out and apply to a different company. By then, the application process that you will go through might be easier since you bear Google’s seal of approval.

FAQ

Does Google accept resumes from agencies?

No. Google does not accept agency resumes. On one of their pages, Google makes it clear that applicants should forward their applications themselves. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

When can I hear an update after sending in my application?

All applicants will be notified by the end of the year with an update.

Do I need a cover letter to apply for the Google APM Program?

No need for a cover letter. You just need an updated CV or resume.

Does Google need my transcript?

Yes Google will need you to upload your transcript on the job page under the “Higher education” section

Is Google APM paid?

Yes, becoming a Google APM is a full-time job. If you get accepted, you can earn as much as $158K per year for two years since the program lasts that long.

Who can apply for the Google APM program?

To apply to the Google APM program, you need to follow the instructions found on the jobs page. You’ll need to submit and update your resume or CV.

How long before I hear back from the Google recruitment team?

After you send your application, it’s best to wait until the end of this year (2022) to hear back from the recruitment team.

How hard is Google APM?

The acceptance rate for the program is very low. Over tens of thousands of applicants per year, only about 40-50 will make the cut. It is a competitive process to go through but with the right tips and a little help from a referral, it’s possible that you can get a spot.