Applying to PM jobs while working - how do you manage?

Zynga
fett

Go to company page Zynga

fett
Nov 16, 2021 142 Comments

I’ve spent the last several months interviewing at several companies, and I’m consistently choking on the final round/presentation stage.

I haven’t done tons of prep but am realizing that I’ll need to in order to get offers. But the difficult part is finding time to prepare while working a full-time job as a PM, which also takes up time.

I’ve been working for 5 years (with a decent amount of savings) and am considering quitting to get some rest and focus on interviewing full time. For experienced PMs that work and interview, how do you manage?

#product #pm

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TOP 142 Comments
  • IBM
    not_in_ibm

    Go to company page IBM

    not_in_ibm
    No prep, just reviewed what i worked on. Interviews are a lot about luck. Are there any specific topics where you found it difficult to answer?
    Nov 16, 2021 17
  • Amazon
    lTze22

    Go to company page Amazon

    lTze22
    Lol prioritize. Break prep in chunks. If you are a PM most of this part of your work anyway. Say no if homework takes more than 1h

    I’m doing it while working at Amazon and being a nursing mother of a newborn (also have a toddler). So add no sleep, no weekends, and sde-interviewing husband.

    It’s time sucker. If you can’t afford it and mentally tired, take a break and return in a few months
    Nov 16, 2021 10
  • IBM / Eng
    LgdC07

    Go to company page IBM Eng

    LgdC07
    Weekends
    Nov 16, 2021 1
  • New
    MehBlind

    New

    MehBlind
    One thing that can help is to skip places like Zynga that ask you to do a 30 hour take home project.
    Nov 16, 2021 8
  • Apple
    Let's Go B

    Go to company page Apple

    Let's Go B
    I keep a >40 page word doc open on my computer with notes that helps me answer most questions very effectively. I embedded dozens of hyperlinks to allow me to jump around the doc instantly during interview. This reduces my need to prep.
    Nov 16, 2021 18