Can you design an ATM for blind people? How many airplanes are in the sky right now? Can you guess the number of trees in your hometown?
From February to June 2024, these were the kinds of quirky questions that consumed my life. Welcome to the world of product management interviews, where creativity meets logic, and you are expected to think like an innovator on steroids. Honestly, solving these was kind of fun as it stretches your brain in ways you didn’t know were possible. But let’s just say, the journey wasn’t always this thrilling.
When Rejections Became Routine
My resume was polished, my LinkedIn feed was suddenly active, and I dove headfirst into mock interviews. What followed was a flood of rejection emails, some from dream companies, and others from places I’d never even considered. And then there was my dad asking, “Got any calls? Any interviews scheduled?”
I don’t lie to my parents, but during that phase, even mock interviews became my “scheduled calls” just to keep the conversations light. It was such an unsettling time, a time when you doubt your decisions, when, instead of moving forward, you keep looking backward and ask yourself all kinds of strange questions.
Society’s Two Cents: Shaadi, Anyone?
Oh, and let’s not forget the bonus layer of societal pressure. A 29-year-old woman with “time on her hands” suddenly becomes prime material for Shaadi.com, dating apps, and worse, “well-meaning” relative recommendations. With so many rejection emails already filling my inbox, brushing off these suggestions wasn’t exactly hard. But seriously, can we normalize taking major decisions like marriage when we’re mentally ready? (That’s a rant for another blog!)
If you’ve been through it, you know it’s that OG bad phase where nothing feels like it’s going your way. Well, it was also around the time I was reading The Midnight Library, a book that reassured me I was exactly where I was meant to be. Ah, books!
From Void to Vision
One day, I decided it was time to switch things up. Applying on LinkedIn and Naukri felt like shouting into a void, especially since I was pivoting my career path. I knew I wanted to be in the education sector, so I started googling organizations that were making a real impact.
That’s when I found the company where I work now. Their scale, mission, and growth, it all clicked instantly. I didn’t waste a second and began crafting a product deck tailored to their work. I researched their initiatives, understood their products, and dug deep into their impact stories. The irony? I used everything I learned in that product management course I had failed. After two weeks of pouring my heart into it, I sent my deck directly to the founders.
Honestly, all I wanted was a response, maybe a “Thanks for sharing” or some constructive feedback. What I got instead was a LinkedIn message that same night. It wasn’t just an acknowledgment; it was a heartfelt appreciation for the effort.
The next morning, I woke up to a request for a call. Nervous but excited, I didn’t have time to prepare. The call lasted 30 minutes, and just like that, I had the job.
When I finally got that call, it wasn’t just relief; it was validation that all the rejections, late nights, and relentless effort had been worth it. Only I know how important it was for me to land the right job, not just any job.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Looking back, I realize that sometimes the long road, the one with all the doubts and obstacles, is the one that truly shapes you. The detours, challenges, and delays weren’t setbacks, they were the path itself. And so, my new chapter began on 22nd July 2024, just as unexpectedly as the last one had ended.
Loved the twist and turns, and glad how everything unfolded and worked well. And most of all, your writing style is amazing. Keep going 🙂
means a lot! 🙂