There are many reviews here as well as books and online resources explaining the interview process. Mine is no different. I got approached by a recruiter at Facebook. phone screening within a week, followed by email detailing next steps with reading materials and tips to prepare for the interviews. As well as an invitation to a Q&A interview preparation session.
After some email exchange over a few days, scheduled video conference with 2 Product Managers (1 hour each). This interview was scheduled twice due to last minute conflict with the interviewer. Finally at third trial got to the interview. I met with 2 product managers. One interview was called (product sense) and the other (execution). I won't go in details on those as there is tons of information on what they entitle.
As expected, The first one (execution) was a series of (test) questions (you're product manager of (xxxx) facebook product, what are your goals? metrics? design a certain feature? engagement dropped what do you do?
Second was product sense, this was a non-facebook non-tech product scenario. As a PM how to you make a change to that product. Then series of follow up questions, a lot of (why would you do this, why not that?)
Generally I don't have a problem with this type of questions. I think their focus is on your creativity, problem solving and customer voice. I don't have a problem with this type of questions, but it does not take into account your personal abilities, history and experience. For example, If I wasn't able to answer a question / solve a problem, they don't attempt to ask (what would you do if you don't know?) In real life we don't always have answers, but the best of us are the ones who know how to find answers and how to navigate when they don't have answers.
Also, the interview didn't feel personal at all, they seem to be reading a series of questions and typing / rating answers (they're explicit that that's what they do) but lacking the personal contact can miss a lot about the candidate.
Otherwise, they were all courteous, pleasant, knowledgeable and professional, and I enjoyed talking to every person
I didn't get a second (on-site) interview. After asking the recruiter a few times, finally had a 5 minute call, and she said that I wasn't able to (put myself in the customer shoes) in the second interview, and that's what failed me.
Overall, I'm not a big fan of this approach of interviews which most of the hype companies seems to follow, apparently to streamline hiring and eliminate bias, and seems they end up selecting the ones who practiced most questions, not necessarily the ones that rely on experience
