GitLab Product Manager Interview Questions
& Process

I joined the process late, and the recruiter let me know upfront that my chances were probably slim. The recruiter was really transparent about the whole process and even salary info, which was nice. The interview questions were pretty tough, and it felt like they were looking for very specific answers and skills. The employee handbook section they sent with interview questions beforehand was a big help in getting ready.

I got referred by someone and then had a screening interview. They asked about my background and motivations and threw in some behavioral questions. The interviewer didn't turn on their camera, which made it hard to connect. For a first interview, I feel it's important to build some rapport so the candidate can adjust their pitch. The interviewer gave the same feedback after every question and seemed uninterested from the start. If that's how the company presents itself, I'd think twice about applying.

I applied for a general Senior PM role at GitLab because it seemed like a great company, and the team did a fantastic job helping me find where I'd fit best. It began with a 30-minute preliminary phone screen discussing culture and my goals, seemingly to get acquainted. Next, I had a video call with a Director of Product to figure out the best product category for my experience. After those initial calls, I was set to talk with 4 more people from different departments who had some connection to the product path I was on. Each of these 30-45 minute video calls featured experts in their fields who asked tough questions, but they all made me feel really comfortable, like we'd known each other for weeks. My favorite part was the "Deep Dive" call where I got to collaborate with another PM on an idea I proposed, experiencing firsthand what it's like to work with them. That whole call was fun, friendly, and productive, and I wasn't stressed at all because the person guided me through it so well. The final, 7th interview was with the VP of Product. It was also enjoyable and included a unique thought exercise that was challenging and even humorous. I really enjoyed the whole process; it felt long but went by fast, and I looked forward to each call. I was surprised to get an offer for a specific role I was passionate about, even though I applied for a general position.