iRobot Product Manager Interview Questions
& Process

The interviews were pretty laid back. First, I had a call with a recruiter where we chatted about the job and my background. Then, I went in person to meet some of the team and we talked about the products and what they needed for the role.

The interview process involved two phone screens: one with HR and another with the hiring manager. Following that, I was invited for a multi-person interview at their HQ in Bedford. During the interviews, I specifically inquired if my lack of consumer product management experience was a concern. Two interviewers assured me it was not, given my strong product management skill set. The hiring manager focused heavily on my process and thought process. The next interview was with an existing product manager, where I posed the same questions the hiring manager had asked me. Their responses were very similar to mine. After that, I spoke with a product marketing representative who was interested in understanding the distinction between product marketing and product management, and they offered their business card for further questions. I sent thank-you notes and a follow-up question to the product marketing person regarding suggestions for a target market for product growth. After about a week with no response, I followed up again. Ultimately, HR informed me that they were considering other candidates due to my lack of consumer background. This reason for rejection is disappointing, as if that was a deal-breaker, I shouldn't have been invited for onsite interviews.

We had been talking about the possibility of me joining for about a month, so the actual interview felt a bit like a formality. My past work experience was really the deciding factor. We spoke on the phone for a few weeks. When I got serious and we scheduled the in-person interview, I was surprised by how relaxed the panel was. It was a long day, but not too stressful because I already had an offer and a couple of other companies were interested. The final offer and salary talks happened over dinner with the main executive. He proposed a salary and gave me a job description, which had been a bit vague until then. I made a counteroffer right there, using the offer letter I had, and he accepted.