How to Answer “Design a Better Bicycle” Like a PM at Meta (Without Sounding Like a Rookie)
So, you’re sitting across from a Meta hiring manager, confidently making small talk, when they hit you with the classic product design prompt: “Design a better bicycle.” This isn’t an engineering challenge. They don’t care about your knowledge of gear ratios or the tensile strength of titanium frames. This is a test of structured product…
How Great Product Managers and UX Designers Work Together to Build Exceptional Products
The relationship between Product Managers and UX Designers is a delicate dance—when done well, it’s like a well-rehearsed duet, each complementing the other’s moves. When done poorly, it’s like trying to waltz while stepping on each other’s feet. Both roles are critical to delivering a seamless, user-centric product. A PM ensures that business goals, technical…
Why the CIRCLES Framework Falls Short in Product Design Interviews—and How Kalena Advisors Can Help
If you’re prepping for a FAANG product management interview like at Meta and Google, you’ve likely encountered the CIRCLES framework. It’s shiny, it’s structured, and it promises to be your golden ticket. But here’s the hard truth: it’s a crutch, not a ladder. Hiring managers want ingenuity, adaptability, and the ability to read between the…
Why the CIRCLES Framework Falls Short in Product Design Interviews
The CIRCLES framework is often touted as a go-to method for tackling Product Design and Product Sense interviews. While its structured approach might seem appealing, it can fall short in demonstrating the creativity, adaptability, and user empathy hiring managers value most. At Kalena Advisors, we specialize in helping candidates break free from rigid frameworks to…
Top 5 Ways the (Amazon) STAR Method Works Poorly for Interview Candidates
Struggling to stand out in Amazon’s rigorous interview process? The STAR method is a popular framework, but many candidates fail to use it effectively, costing them the opportunity to impress. In this article, we reveal the top 5 reasons the STAR method doesn’t work for Amazon interviews and how to fix them. Learn to align…
Top 5 Mistakes Candidates Make in Google Software Engineering Interviews (and How to Avoid Them)
Preparing for a software engineering interview at Google is a monumental task, but even the most prepared candidates often fall into common traps. Here, we explore the top 5 mistakes candidates make during Google software engineering interviews and why these missteps can derail your chances. You’ll also find actionable tips to help you navigate the…
Mastering Microsoft Technical Program Management Interviews: Common Mistakes and Career Ladder Insights
Breaking into a Technical Program Management (TPM) role at Microsoft is a significant achievement, but many candidates fall short due to common interview pitfalls. This Kalena Advisor guide explores the top mistakes candidates make during Microsoft TPM interviews and provides a detailed breakdown of the career ladder, including responsibilities, expectations, and skills for each level.…
Master Amazon Behavioral Interviews: Top Mistakes, Proven Strategies & 50 Questions to Prepare For
Preparing for an Amazon interview and striving to stand out in behavioral rounds? This updated guide goes beyond the 50 most commonly reported Amazon behavioral interview questions to highlight the top mistakes candidates make—especially when using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format—and how to avoid them. With insights into Amazon’s Leadership Principles, this resource…
Top 2021 Interview Questions from Google
Are you preparing for a Google interview and looking for the most relevant questions to practice? This comprehensive guide compiles 200 publicly reported Google interview questions from 2021, covering software engineering, data science, and product management. From coding and algorithms to product design and market analysis, these questions provide valuable insights to help you succeed…
A deeper look into Google’s Program Management Ladder
The Program Manager career ladder at Google is one of the most coveted, yet challenging, journeys in the tech world. Each level, from Associate Program Manager to Principal Program Manager, demands increasingly sophisticated skills—execution, stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and leadership that transforms entire organizations. But navigating this path is no easy feat. Do you have…