Sarra Bounouh
Prepare a list of questions
An important part of my interview strategy is to prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. I separate my questions based on whether it is someone in a leadership position or a hiring manager.
For a leader:
- What is the strategy of the team and the company? How do this team’s objectives and key results fit into the overall mission and strategy of the company?
- What do you have in mind for the team in the next six months and the next 12 months?
- What would make the person in the role that you’re hiring for stand out?
For a hiring manager:
- Who are the people someone in this role will be working closely with?
- What does success mean for this role?
- Tell me about a project the team worked on recently, and the impact it had?
This is one of my favorite questions. I like it a lot because it helps me evaluate the scope of work that the team has and then link it back to the role they’re hiring for. I make sure to ask all hiring managers this question if there are multiple interviews.
Switch gears 24 hours before
I’ve tried two strategies for the day before an interview, and I’ve found one to be far better for me mentally.
In the past, I continued to work on preparing for technical product management questions even on the last day. I’ve observed that I’m much more nervous and anxious on the day of the interview, and I felt that it impacted my overall interview performance the next day.
More recently, I have decided to relax and not do too much 24 hours before a big interview. I just try to reflect on what I have learned so far and not work on any new problems.
I have found that it helps me feel less stressed on the day before the interview. I have also come to realize that the last 24 hours cannot change much, and it is better to go in feeling confident that you have done your best and are prepared.
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