Pinterest Product Designer interviews, as candidates describe them, mix a recruiter screen, a hiring manager conversation, a portfolio presentation and 1:1s on collaboration, working style and motivation for Pinterest.
$178K
Avg. Base Comp
$208K
Avg. Total Comp
3-5 rounds
Typical Rounds
Not reported
Process Length
Candidates describe the Pinterest Product Designer interview as a test of how you work with people as much as how you design. One candidate described a recruiter screen, a hiring manager interview, then a 45-minute portfolio presentation where the interviewers focused on tradeoffs and the reasoning behind decisions, not only the final screens. That was followed by 1:1s with product managers and other product designers.
Collaboration came up in more than one account. Questions included how you work with product and engineering partners and which project you are most proud of. Another candidate, who also met a larger group of designers, was asked whether they do their best work individually or collaboratively and how they like to be managed. A third was asked why they wanted to work at Pinterest. Have a specific answer for each rather than a generic one.
Candidates report different shapes and lengths. One described three or four sessions. Another described about five rounds, sped up to fit an offer deadline, and then received no closeout after following up with the recruiter. One candidate also mentioned an online assessment before the interviews, with two medium problems and one hard one, so check with your recruiter what to expect for your own loop. Outcomes were mixed: two candidates were not offered the role and one accepted.
Synthesized from 3 candidate reports by our editorial team.
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Real interview reports from people who went through the Pinterest process.
The part of my Pinterest product design process I'd most want to warn someone about is how much of it was about me as a person and a collaborator, not just my portfolio. There were about three or four sessions in total, starting with the core team and then meeting a larger group of design folks. The conversations covered my background, past experience, how I work day to day, my working style, and cultural fit. One question that stuck with me was whether I do my best work individually or collaboratively. I'd recommend having a real, specific answer ready instead of a generic one. Another was how I like to be managed, which I think they used to see whether I could describe my needs clearly.
Before the interview stage, there was an online assessment with two medium-difficulty problems and one hard one. It was a real hurdle, so don't walk in assuming the early screening will be light.
What made the process stand out was how organized it was. I got consistent updates and follow-ups, and I was told ahead of time what to expect, which made it easier to prepare. The recruiters and the people I met were genuinely great. The final round involved multiple interviews, and the process was challenging, but the company felt exciting and worthwhile throughout. In the end I accepted the offer.
Prep tip from this candidate
Prepare specific answers about how you like to be managed and whether you do your best work alone or collaboratively, since both came up directly. Also be ready to explain what draws you to UI/UX, because a behavioral interviewer asked about it.
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Sourced from candidate reports and verified by our team.
Topics based on recent interview experiences.
Featured question at Pinterest
How would you assess the validity of the result?
| Question | |
|---|---|
| Search Ratings | |
| Button AB Test | |
| WAU vs Open Rates | |
| Random Bucketing | |
| Amateur Performance | |
| Reward Experiment | |
| Ranking Metrics | |
| Banner Ad Strategy Success | |
| New UI Effect | |
| A/B Testing a Checkout Button Change | |
| Video Pins | |
| Statistically Significant Test | |
| Meaningful Session Calculation | |
| Decreasing Comments | |
| Swipe Precision | |
| Network Experiment Design | |
| Green Dot | |
| Google Maps Improvement | |
| Search CTR | |
| Group Success | |
| Close Friends Story | |
| Fill Rate Drop | |
| Hurdles In Data Projects | |
| Parents Joining Teens | |
| Twenty Variants | |
| Stories Feature Change | |
| Fractional Shares | |
| Revenue Retention | |
| Campaign Goals |
Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
One candidate describes a smooth recruiter phone screen with a responsive recruiter. Another reports that recruiters kept them updated and said ahead of time what to expect. Be ready to explain why you want to work at Pinterest, since a candidate reports being asked that.
One candidate reports an online assessment before the interviews, with two medium problems and one hard one. Only one account mentions it, so it may not apply to every design loop. Ask your recruiter whether an assessment is part of your process.
One candidate reports a hiring manager interview before the portfolio presentation. Another reports conversations about background, past experience, how they work day to day, working style and cultural fit. Prepare concise answers about your path into design and how you like to work.
One candidate reports a 45-minute portfolio presentation built around a case study. Interviewers appeared to focus on design tradeoffs and the reasoning behind decisions. Practice defending your choices and explaining your role on the project, not only walking through final screens.
One candidate reports 1:1s with product managers and other product designers, and another describes meeting a larger group of designers. Reported topics include cross-functional collaboration, your proudest project, individual versus collaborative work and how you like to be managed.
