Two Key Questions for Reverse-Interviewing Peers
In this post, I wanted to share my two favorite questions to reverse-interview fellow product managers at a company you are interviewing with or interested in.
What are you looking for in two years from now?
This question is my go-to because it unravels the aspirations of peers and provides a glimpse into what the work environment excels at fostering. The magic lies in the timeframe – 2 years is long enough to demand a goal, yet close enough for most to have already thought that far ahead.
Responses vary widely, from “attaining a director title and then leaving to start a company knowing they can fall back on the director title if anything goes wrong” to more straightforward goals like “wanting more money”.
It might not seem like a deeply personal inquiry, but I’ve found it’s sometimes the first time in a while folks have had to articulate their future goals. As someone interviewing, you are constantly asked about your aspirations, but it’s not always true for the interviewer. When I ask, I often get the feeling the interviewer feels like they are letting me on some sort of secret, which make the moment feel special.
What does a good day and bad day look like? (Pause to let them respond) How often do you experience each?
I stole this from an online article—which I no longer can find :( I really like it for unraveling the day-to-day reality of a role at a particular company.
For instance, if a product manager emphasizes product delivery and collaboration with engineers as markers of a good day, it often signals a focus on execution rather than product adoption or customer satisfaction.
However, the follow-up question is where the real treasure lies. First, it usually makes folks laugh since they are caught off guard. Second, it ensures transparency by prompting peers to honestly assess the nature of their work. For example, all PMs put out fires as part of their jobs but understanding the frequency of such situations provides a realistic view of the day-to-day grind.
The last point I'll make regarding both questions is that they are helpful to ask on an individual basis, but, like all interview questions, their true power emerges when asked repeatedly to discern patterns.
Best of luck with interviews—I hope this helps!