TikTok

# Tips and Strategies
Remember that you may work with folks from Asia in your day to day role. So even in your interview, you may face some communication barriers. The level of English of your interviewer will depend based on whom you're speaking with. If this is the case, make sure you understand the question completely before answering. Be polite and patient. Ask clarification questions as needed before jumping in if you are unsure at all about the question.

While not all PMs are expected to be experts with using the TikTok app, it is in your best interest to download and try out the app. Flip through the FYP and understand the experience from the viewer's perspective. What are the mechanical steps needed to view some videos. How does TikTok help replicate meme culture? Then try your hand at making some content. Talk to friends who use TikTok. What are some of their struggles on the app? It is likely that these pain points are the same issues many others face when using the app.

It may also be useful to brush up on your knowledge of machine learning and recommendation systems. This [Crash Course on AI](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtO65LeD2p4_Sb5XQ51par_b) may be useful.


Tips and Strategies

TikTok PM (Product Manager) Interview Guide

With [behavioral questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=behavioral), it is important to show that you will work well with everyone: product managers, engineers, designers, sales, and legal. Focus on communicating well: enunciate, speak slowly, and speak with meaning.

Prepare a good talk through of your resume. Have a “60 seconds to wow” pitch and be prepared to provide clear and in-depth explanations of each of your experiences that you’d want to highlight. These experiences can include previous work experience, side projects, classes, or even hobbies. Think about not only what you’ve achieved, but also what you learned, the challenges you faced, and the strategies you used to succeed. 

Prepare real anecdotes so you can use specific examples. Your interviewer already has your resume so those anecdotes will add a more human touch to your application, making you more memorable. Think about anecdotes that show off how you were customer-obsessed, dealt with ambiguity, and had a growth mindset in approaching the task at hand.

Why do you want to work here? Why this role and team? Think carefully about why you are applying for this role, and why this team specifically. It helps to know as much about the role and team that you’re applying for. Try to watch tech talks or conference keynote speeches from the team online. It will also leave a good impression if you have previously used a feature of the team and can speak to it. At that point, the interviewer will likely probe you for feedback on the product. Use this opportunity to show how you would converse and work with your interviewer as if you are already a member of the team.

To put your best foot forward, record yourself speaking. Many people have weird quirks about the way they present themselves. Some may jiggle or shake their leg. Others may use excessive filler words (like uh or um). It is nearly impossible to catch these quirks on your own. So, recording and re-watching yourself is a good way to be more cognizant of how you are presenting yourself.


How to Pause

Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone. How did you resolve it?

Behavioral Interviews: Creating Your Story Bank

Behavioral

[Product design](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=product-design) questions test your ability to design a new product or improve an existing one. Be user-focused. The key is to ensure you're organized with your thoughts and have a clear goal in mind that will solve the user's problem(s).

One of the best frameworks is to [go "broad then deep"](/courses/pm/broad-then-deep). First, "go broad" by listing all the ideas and solutions that come to mind. Then, pick one to "go deep" on and explain why that is the solution you chose.

Another approach we see candidates have success with is [The Triangle Method](/courses/pm/the-triangle-method). This framework will help you articulate your thoughts and help nail your points into the interviewer's mind. To accomplish this, first list three points. Then, dive into each point. Finally, summarize your three points at the end. This will help you articulate your points and subpoints.

Be sure to demonstrate competency in defining metrics as well as understanding what to do when metrics change. Be methodical and show that you make data-driven decisions.

Examples of TikTok product design questions:
- Design a new UI for TikTok to improve a key metric.
- Design a more frictionless way for users to post videos.


PM Product Mock Video: Design Smart Shoe

Favorite Product: Google Home Hub

How to Answer the Product Design Question

Product Design

[Strategy questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=product-strategy) assess your ability to reason about competitive landscapes and high-level product direction decisions. These comprise the majority of TikTok's PM interview questions. Most of them revolve around social and content strategy.

The key to success in these interviews is starting at a high-level with the goals of the product, and then drilling deeper into actions and metrics. With regards to metrics, we recommend employing the GAME framework, [as demonstrated in this PM lesson](/courses/pm/youtube-metrics). Be methodical and show that you make data-driven decisions.

Examples of TikTok strategy questions:
Why do more users view videos rather than post?
How would you get users to upload more videos?
What are the differences between user-generated content vs professionally made content?
Discuss some of the different ways TikTok can acquire new users.
What kind of content do you think will improve engagement?
What are the key contributors to TikTok's success?
What are your opinions on the future of TikTok?
How would you monetize TikTok?


Facebook Dating Platform Launch Decision

How to Answer Product Strategy Questions

Flip Phones

Mock Product Manager Interview (Google PM): Uber Rides / Uber Eats Strategy

Strategy

With [technical questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=technical), you do not need to know how to complete Leetcode-style coding questions. While it may be useful to be familiar with high-level system design and tradeoffs for the popular data structures and algorithms (including time and space complexity), it does not appear that PM interviews at TikTok are too technical in nature. A foundational understanding of technologies is good enough.

You can expect to answer questions pertaining to machine learning and how the FYP recommendation algorithm works.

Examples of TikTok technical questions:
- How would you work with an engineering team?
- Which variables go into the FYP recommendation algorithm?

As Exponent gathers more data points on others' experiences interviewing for a PM role at TikTok, we will update this guide. If you have an experience you would like to share, we'd love to hear from you! Send a message to support@tryexponent.com.


Design TikTok

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Technical

Facebook (Meta)

You are the PM of Messenger, you noticed that its DAU has gone down significantly. How would you go about looking for the root cause?

Define success for TikTok

Design Tiktok for Elderly

How would we prevent users below 18 years, do not lying about their age when they are signing up?

Valve

Say you're monitoring average revenue per customer on an A/B test of a new feature across 20 countries. 1 country of 19 is showing a significant increase in revenue with the new feature. As the data scientist on the team, how would you interpret this, and what would you recommend doing? 

How do you generate insights?

How would you determine the success for Instagram search

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TikTok

Interview Guides

Product Manager

Need a TikTok job referral?

Interview Questions

You are the PM of Messenger, you noticed that its DAU has gone down significantly. How would you go about looking for the root cause?

Define success for TikTok

Design Tiktok for Elderly