- Stars:
- Pages: 366
- Time to Read: 7 hours
- Authors: Laakmann McDowell, Jackie Bavaro
- Type of Book: Career Help
TL;DR
Preparing for a product manager interview but don’t know where to start? Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro is where you should start looking.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone actively looking for a PM role.
Well-structured, concrete, to the point, and very helpful. It gave lots of examples of questions/problems and possible solutions, as well as approaches and the reasoning behind them.
It has chapters with questions that you need to have answers ready when you are in the interview process. Included in the book are some articles from people who have been product managers for several years, and their tips on how to land a job as a PM.
Just 1 observation – this book has high US companies bias. You may see a slightly different job hunt and interview dynamics in India market.
What is the book about?
I have learned so much from this book that I would set strongly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for:
- Extending and Elaborating the concepts of Product Managers
- The most common PM interview questions
- What is the role of PM and how does it vary across industries
- Information related strictly to companies
The book also illustrates many hard notions that we often disregard. This includes the tidbits of a product management role, explaining how the role of a PM varies across industries, and busting myths.
As someone who wants to become a PM in a big startup or tech company, the Cracking the PM Interview book is your holy grail. The book generalizes the experiences one has had including the processes to accelerate in career. Moreover, the book also dives deep into the recruitment process in tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Twitter.
If you are in those stages where you don’t know how to maintain a good resume or cover letter, read the book to learn to do it better. Additionally, the book is your guide to understanding how recruitment works in big industries.
Key Takeaways!
Why should you read the book? I mean, what is so great about it is that out of a shelf full of other theoretical concepts, you should pick this one. Here comes my opinion on the key takeaways from the book.
- It defines the PM role strongly by highlighting a good context and introduction
- The book is a great source for anyone who is trying to land an interview
- Illustrations from renowned PMs and their advice with examples keep you hooked
Cracking the PM Interview is a phenomenal concept that has garnered good feedback from readers across the world. It’s rating on Amazon speaks for it. Readers from various backgrounds and vast experiences opt for this book to make the most of it.
There are plenty of chapters in the book to navigate through. Many of the readers who have read the book have landed themselves their dream job. They regard this book as:
- Well-structured
- Concise
- Helpful
- Crisp and to the point
Worth the Read?
Cracking the PM interview is not a religious follow but it’s definitely worth a red. I have witnessed some of the real examples that are mentioned in the book. The strategies are excellent and help you solve resolve interview questions.
Someone who has been in the product management field for a long time now can grasp the nitty-gritty of the book. The book is interesting, intriguing, and keeps you hooked. Be it customer issues or user goals, the authors have explained the mapping techniques excellently through elaborative examples.
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