🔐 TPM Microguide On Interview Preparation - v1.0

Interviews can be intimidating especially ones with technical questions. But, like the old saying goes - "Preparation makes perfect". Learn how to prepare for TPM interviews like a winner!🏆

Hi, I am Aadil and I write this newsletter on the art of doing technical program management.

You are reading a “TPM Microguide” designed for my paid subscribers. These are concise, actionable guidebooks designed to help TPMs level up in specific areas of their craft — whether it’s mastering technical concepts, building program structures, or learning how Apple builds software. If you want full access, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

I will be publishing a new guide every month.

If you have Feedback and/or Suggestions to improve this guide, please leave a comment. Only paid subscribers who have access to the guide can leave comments.

OR reach out to me for any questions - aadilmaan at gmail.com.

🛒 If you don’t want become a paid subscriber and still want access to the TPM Microguide, you can purchase a single copy of this guide for low limited-time introductory price of $12.

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Purpose of this Microguide

The goal of this guide is to provide you with the most focused guidance on how to ace your Technical Program Management (TPM) interviews. It is designed to help you prepare thoughtful, personalized answers based on your experiences, rather than relying on memorized responses. By using this guide, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what interviewers are looking for and learn how to articulate your experiences and approach in a clear and compelling way.

How to Use This Microguide

This guide can be read in its entirety or you can focus on the sections most relevant to your needs. It’s designed to be flexible based on what you need for your preparation. You’ll find practical advice, strategies, and frameworks that will help you personalize your responses based on your own unique experience.

This guide is not meant to give you answers to memorize, but rather to equip you with the tools you need to confidently and clearly express your knowledge and experience. We’ll walk through how to structure answers that resonate with interviewers, particularly for common and complex TPM interview questions.

Disclaimer + Personal Note

As with any advice, the recommendations in this guide are based on my own personal experience interviewing and securing TPM roles at top tech companies like Apple, Google, Nike, Humane, and Airbnb. Use this guide as a tool to improve your preparation. Keep in mind, while preparation is crucial, there is an element of luck in every interview, something even the most seasoned interviewees can’t control.

What you’ll find here is advice based on what I’ve experienced as an interviewee and observed as an interviewer. This guide shares strategies that are often under-discussed in traditional interview prep books. My goal is to help you build a deeper understanding of what to expect and how to prepare—sometimes taking a more unconventional approach, because what works isn’t always what’s commonly written.

Structure of the Microguide

This guide is divided into dedicated sections that address the various types of questions you’ll encounter during TPM interviews:

• Each section explains how to prepare personalized answers.

• I’ll share example answers based on my own experiences.

• Where applicable, I’ll provide tips and tricks that I’ve found useful in FAANG interviews.

• Additionally, I’ll differentiate between advice for Junior, Mid-Level, and Senior TPMs where relevant.

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• General Preparation

• Hypothetical Scenarios

• How You React Scenarios (“How would you…”)

• Technical Questions

• Additional Preparation Guidelines Based on TPM Roles

• General Program Management

• Pro Tips to Prepare Better

• Reality Check: Are You Ready for a Senior TPM Role?

• Q&A

• Final Word

• Starter Practice Questions Pack

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Introduction

In my years of interviewing for TPM roles, I’ve realized that most TPM interview questions fall into two broad categories and two subject categories:

Root Categories:

• Hypothetical Scenarios (“Tell me about a time…”)

• How You React Scenarios (“How would you…”)

Subject Categories:

• Technical Questions

• General Program Management

All interview questions are some combination of these categories. For instance, questions about stakeholder management, risk management, planning, and roadmaps generally fall under General Program Management. Technical questions often combine How You React and Hypothetical Scenarios. Let’s explore how to prepare for these types of questions, irrespective of the specific role you are interviewing for.

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General Preparation

1. Write Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch

The 30-second elevator pitch is one of the simplest yet most important elements of your interview preparation. It serves as your introduction and sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. Many candidates struggle with this question, either giving too little or too much detail.

Here’s a formula to get it right:

• Intro: State your name, current role, and a brief overview of your experience (e.g., industries, projects, or platforms you’ve worked on).

  • Example: "My name is Aadil, and I’m a Senior Engineering Program Manager at Humane with over 14 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in industries ranging from mobile to AI to IoT."

• Happy Place: What kind of environment or program excites you and makes you your best as a TPM?

  • Example: "I thrive in complex, ambiguous environments where I can lead Zero-to-One programs that require cross-functional collaboration and innovative problem-solving."

• Value You Bring: What makes you valuable to the team?

  • Example: "I’m a versatile team player, coach, and mediator. I do whatever it takes to support the team, from managing projects to helping team members grow."