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Rion Angeles

Want to Become a Program Manager?

Are you looking to land a job as a program manager at a big tech company? Program Managers are ubiquitous throughout many industries. They drive progress and straddle the line across many organizations and teams.

Having Trouble with the Behavioral Interview?Well, this course provides a deep dive and practice intensive where you learn to navigate and ace the behavioral interview. This course is geared toward program managers but can be used for any interview.

What You'll Learn

In this course you'll learn the following:

Read more

Want to Become a Program Manager?

Are you looking to land a job as a program manager at a big tech company? Program Managers are ubiquitous throughout many industries. They drive progress and straddle the line across many organizations and teams.

Having Trouble with the Behavioral Interview?Well, this course provides a deep dive and practice intensive where you learn to navigate and ace the behavioral interview. This course is geared toward program managers but can be used for any interview.

What You'll Learn

In this course you'll learn the following:

  • A deep dive into the behavioral interview of many tech companies

  • A thorough review of example answers and resources

  • How to create an elevator pitch

  • How to create an Experience Log

  • A framework for answering Behavioral and Hypothetical questions

  • Numerous Behavioral and Hypothetical practice questions

  • Additional Exercises to help you practice and refine your behavioral interview skills

  • And more regular updates...

What is a Behavioral Interview?

A behavioral interview is a part of the entire candidate interview process where your past examples and work history acts as a future predictor for performance. Interviews and hiring managers use these to assess your skills as a candidate and are a major part of the entire interview. They typically involve questions that start off with, "Tell me about a time when..."

Program Manager Responsibilities

  • Running strategic and operational projects and programs

  • Project/program execution, status reporting, maintenance, and process optimization

  • Using their extensive interpersonal skills to build consensus among cross-functional teams

  • Wielding influence to drive decision making

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to prepare for program manager interviews at tech companies
  • How to answer behavioral questions
  • How to beat the program manager interview
  • How to beat the behavioral interview

Syllabus

Introduction
What You'll Learn Intro
The Behavioral Interview Overview
A Personal Example
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Download these resources to reference for the rest of the course

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a framework for answering behavioral and hypothetical questions, which is essential for program manager interviews
Teaches how to create an elevator pitch, which is useful for networking and quickly conveying your skills and experience
Teaches how to create an experience log, which is a helpful tool for reflecting on past experiences and preparing for interviews
Includes numerous behavioral and hypothetical practice questions, which allows learners to apply their knowledge and improve their interviewing skills
Offers additional exercises to help learners practice and refine their behavioral interview skills, which is useful for building confidence
Requires learners to write and submit their elevator pitch and experience log for feedback, which may be time-consuming for some learners

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Reviews summary

Ace program manager behavioral interviews

According to learners, this course is a highly effective resource for preparing for Program Manager behavioral interviews. Many students found the framework for answering questions incredibly helpful and easy to apply. The numerous practice questions are highlighted as a major strength, allowing ample opportunity to hone responses. Students appreciate the guidance on creating an Experience Log and Elevator Pitch, finding these practical tools boost confidence significantly before interviews. While the majority opinion is strongly positive, a few reviewers with extensive prior interview experience felt the pacing could be slow or the content slightly basic, suggesting it's perhaps best for those new or relatively new to PM behavioral interviews.
Guidance on creating helpful prep documents.
"The section on creating the Experience Log was incredibly useful for organizing my thoughts."
"Learning how to craft an effective Elevator Pitch is something I'll use beyond this interview."
"Found the tips on the experience log and elevator pitch very practical and actionable."
Helps feel more prepared for interviews.
"After taking this course, I feel significantly more confident walking into behavioral interviews."
"Reduced my anxiety about the behavioral part of the interview process."
"Gave me the confidence boost I needed to perform well."
"Felt much more ready to tackle tough behavioral questions after completing the material."
Offers many relevant practice questions.
"The sheer number of practice questions provided is fantastic; I had plenty to work with."
"Working through the various scenarios helped me anticipate question types."
"I appreciated having so many examples to practice my responses against."
"Plenty of questions to practice the framework on and build muscle memory."
Provides clear approach for behavioral questions.
"The framework taught here is gold! It really simplifies how to structure behavioral answers."
"Learning the method for answering 'tell me about a time when...' questions was the most valuable part for me."
"I used the framework in my interview and felt so much more prepared."
"Provides a solid structure to approach any behavioral question they throw at you."
May be slow for experienced candidates.
"As someone with prior interview experience, some parts felt a bit basic and slow-paced."
"Might be better suited for those relatively new to the PM interview process."
"If you've done behavioral interviews before, you might find some sections redundant."
"For beginners, the pace is perfect, but intermediates might want something faster."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ace the Program Manager Behavioral Interview with these activities:
Review Project Management Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of project management principles to better frame your behavioral interview answers.
Show steps
  • Review the PMBOK guide's key concepts.
  • Practice defining project management terms.
  • Identify how project management principles apply to your past experiences.
Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Project Manager Job in Technology
Study this book to gain insights into the program manager interview process and learn effective strategies for answering behavioral questions.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on behavioral interview questions and the STAR method.
  • Analyze the example answers provided in the book.
  • Adapt the frameworks and strategies to your own experiences.
The 48 Laws of Power
Study this book to gain insights into the program manager interview process and learn effective strategies for answering behavioral questions.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on behavioral interview questions and the STAR method.
  • Analyze the example answers provided in the book.
  • Adapt the frameworks and strategies to your own experiences.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compile a STAR Method Question Bank
Create a collection of common behavioral interview questions and structure them using the STAR method.
Show steps
  • Research common behavioral interview questions for program managers.
  • Categorize questions by competency (e.g., teamwork, leadership, problem-solving).
  • Outline a STAR response for each question.
Conduct Mock Behavioral Interviews
Practice answering behavioral questions in a simulated interview setting with peers.
Show steps
  • Find a partner or group interested in practicing behavioral interviews.
  • Take turns asking and answering questions from your STAR question bank.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other on clarity, conciseness, and impact.
Record and Review Mock Interview Responses
Record yourself answering behavioral questions and analyze your performance to identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Select a set of behavioral questions to answer.
  • Record yourself answering the questions as if in a real interview.
  • Review the recording, paying attention to your body language, tone, and content.
  • Identify areas where you can improve your answers.
Create a Personal Website or Portfolio
Showcase your program management skills and experience by building a personal website or online portfolio.
Show steps
  • Choose a platform for building your website (e.g., WordPress, Wix, Squarespace).
  • Highlight your key projects and accomplishments using the STAR method.
  • Include testimonials or recommendations from colleagues or clients.
  • Share your website link on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Career center

Learners who complete Ace the Program Manager Behavioral Interview will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Program Manager
A Program Manager drives progress across organizations and teams. This course provides a deep dive into the behavioral interview process, crucial for landing a program manager role. You will learn how to create an elevator pitch, build an experience log, and practice answering behavioral and hypothetical questions, all skills vital for program managers who must effectively communicate and lead. This course is designed to help you navigate the behavioral interview, a major part of the hiring process for program managers.
Technical Program Manager
Technical Program Managers oversee complex technical projects. This course focuses on preparing for behavioral interviews, and it will help technical program managers articulate their experiences and skills. The course's emphasis on developing an elevator pitch and an experience log, coupled with its framework for answering behavioral questions, directly supports the interview process for technical program managers. The exercises in this course are useful for demonstrating the depth and breadth of technical expertise to potential employers.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course helps prepare for the behavioral interview process, which is often a critical part of securing a project manager role. The course provides you with frameworks for answering behavioral and hypothetical questions, using your past experiences to demonstrate your potential as a project manager. You will be able to practice your responses, receive feedback, and perfect techniques needed to ace the interview.
Product Manager
Product Managers guide the strategy, roadmap, and execution of a product. This course offers practice in the behavioral interview, assisting product managers in articulating their skills and experiences. The course's emphasis on crafting an elevator pitch and an experience log allows aspiring product managers to clearly present their accomplishments, contributing to a higher chance of interview success. This course teaches you to effectively showcase your experience to potential employers, a key aspect of landing a product manager job.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help organizations improve their business performance. This course may be helpful for management consultants to prepare for the behavioral interview, a standard part of the recruiting process for this role. The course teaches you to clearly articulate your experience by answering behavioral questions, practicing responses, and receiving feedback, all skills necessary for a consultant role. This course can help you to develop an effective elevator pitch, which can be beneficial for consultant engagements.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers oversee the daily activities of an organization. This course may help you prepare for the behavioral interview, a key step in the hiring process for many companies with operations manager positions. You can learn how to articulate your past experiences and achievements using the course's frameworks for answering behavioral questions and hypothetical scenarios, improving your chances of success in the interview and career progression. The course's exercises, including crafting an elevator pitch, are helpful for operations managers to communicate their value to their organization.
General Manager
General Managers are responsible for the overall performance of a business unit. This course may assist in preparing for the behavioral interview, a common step in the hiring process for those seeking general manager roles. The course provides frameworks for answering behavioral questions and hypothetical scenarios, assisting in clearly articulating your past achievements and aptitude to potential employers. The skills learned in this course, such as the ability to craft an elevator pitch, also help general managers in their daily responsibilities.
Consultant
Consultants provide expert advice to organizations. This course may prepare you for the behavioral interview, which is a common step in the hiring process at consulting firms. The course helps you learn how to structure your responses to behavioral questions and demonstrate your skills through your past experiences. The course's exercises, including creating an elevator pitch and an experience log, are useful for consultants, allowing them to communicate value to their clients and employers.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data to make business recommendations. This course will help you prepare for the behavioral interview, which is usually a part of the hiring process in business analyst positions. The course offers a framework for answering behavioral questions and hypothetical scenarios, useful for demonstrating your ability to solve problems and provide value. You will also learn to create an elevator pitch and build an experience log, improving your interview performance and your credibility as a business analyst.
Team Lead
Team Leads guide and mentor a team towards a goal. This course may help you prepare for the behavioral interview, which is a part of the recruiting process for many team lead roles. The course provides you with practice for answering behavioral questions, helping you demonstrate your leadership capabilities via past experiences. The knowledge in this course, such as crafting an elevator pitch and an experience log, helps team leads to communicate effectively to their team and to the management above.
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters facilitate agile project development. While this course focuses on behavioral interviews, it may help Scrum Masters learn to articulate their experiences during the interview process. The course covers how to structure your responses to behavioral questions and provide a clear assessment of your skills. The exercises about creating an elevator pitch and an experience log can assist professionals to present their professional background effectively, thereby improving their interview performance.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies. This course may help marketing managers prepare for the behavioral interview, a key part of the hiring process for this role. The course's framework for answering behavioral questions and creating an elevator pitch allows you to showcase your communication skills and previous achievements, which are essential for marketing managers. This course will also help you to effectively present your qualifications for this position.
Human Resources Manager
A Human Resources Manager oversees the policies and activities of a company's staff. This course may prepare you for the behavioral interview, a common element of the hiring process for human resources manager positions. The course teaches skills to articulate your past achievements with exercises on answering questions, creating an elevator pitch, and building an experience log, useful for a human resources manager. These skills allow you to perform better during the job interview.
Change Manager
Change Managers guide organizations through periods of change. Change management roles often require people to demonstrate adaptability. This course may help you prepare for behavioral interviews, often a component of the hiring process for change managers. The course emphasizes the ability to frame responses, craft an elevator pitch, and build an experience log. These skills allow you to present your capabilities to potential employers and communicate your value to the organization.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers focus on growth and strategy for the organization. This course may assist business development managers in preparing for behavioral interviews, which are often an integral part of the hiring process for such positions. The emphasis of this course is on learning how to articulate past experiences and achievements through using the course's framework for answering behavioral questions. Skills gained from this course help with the interview process, and in the long run, can help business development managers in their daily careers.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ace the Program Manager Behavioral Interview.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the program manager interview process, including behavioral questions. It offers example answers and frameworks for structuring your responses. It is commonly used by candidates preparing for PM roles at top tech companies. This book adds depth to the course by providing real-world examples and insider tips.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the program manager interview process, including behavioral questions. It offers example answers and frameworks for structuring your responses. It is commonly used by candidates preparing for PM roles at top tech companies. This book adds depth to the course by providing real-world examples and insider tips.

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