ViacomCBS Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

ViacomCBS is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide.

As a Product Manager at ViacomCBS, you will play a critical role in shaping and enhancing the tools and systems that power the streaming experiences for millions of subscribers. Your responsibilities will include leading one or two scrum teams focused on API services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to document and improve existing API services, and translating the needs of various partners into actionable projects. You will be tasked with creating comprehensive roadmaps and user stories that guide the technical development of backend solutions, ensuring that they align with the overall product strategy.

To excel in this role, you need a strong background in product management, particularly in software development, with a proven ability to prioritize projects based on business value. A deep understanding of complex technical workflows, particularly within the streaming media landscape, will be essential. Additionally, strong communication skills and the ability to foster relationships across various teams will be crucial for successful collaboration and execution.

This guide will equip you with the specific knowledge and insights needed to stand out during your interview, helping you articulate your relevant experiences and demonstrate your fit for the role at ViacomCBS.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at ViacomCBS is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the streaming industry. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a phone interview with a recruiter or HR representative. This conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, interest in the role, and general fit for the company culture. Expect to discuss your experience in product management, particularly in software development, and your understanding of the streaming media landscape.

2. Technical Phone Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates often participate in a technical phone interview with a hiring manager or a senior team member. This interview may include questions about your experience with API services, product roadmaps, and your approach to prioritizing product backlogs. You might also be asked to discuss specific technical challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them.

3. Take-Home Assignment

Candidates who perform well in the technical interview may be given a take-home assignment. This task typically involves creating a Product Requirements Document (PRD) or a similar deliverable that demonstrates your ability to translate user needs into actionable product features. This assignment allows you to showcase your analytical skills and understanding of product management methodologies.

4. Onsite Interviews

The final stage usually consists of multiple onsite interviews, which may be conducted in person or via video conferencing. During these interviews, you will meet with various team members, including product managers, engineers, and possibly stakeholders from other departments. Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions, focusing on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle complex project scenarios. You may also be asked to present your take-home assignment and discuss your thought process behind it.

5. Final Discussion

After the onsite interviews, there may be a final discussion with the hiring manager or senior leadership. This conversation often revolves around your fit within the team, your vision for the role, and any questions you may have about the company or its products.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a variety of questions that will assess your product management skills and your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Product and Technical Landscape

As a Product Manager at ViacomCBS, you will be deeply involved in the technical aspects of API services and streaming media. Familiarize yourself with the current trends in the streaming industry, including the technologies that power streaming services. Understanding the technical workflow systems and tools will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your passion for the role. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the evolution of Paramount+ and its API services.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Given the collaborative nature of the role, expect behavioral questions that assess your ability to work with cross-functional teams. Reflect on your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex organizational environments, built relationships, and facilitated effective product development. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your leadership and communication skills.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

The role requires a strong understanding of product metrics and analytics. Be ready to discuss how you measure success and prioritize features based on business value. Prepare examples of how you have used data to inform product decisions in the past. This could include discussing specific KPIs you have tracked and how they influenced your product strategy.

Be Ready for Technical Discussions

While the role is not purely technical, having a solid grasp of SQL and data analytics will be beneficial. Expect questions that may touch on your understanding of backend systems and how they relate to user stories. Brush up on your knowledge of API services, data flow, and how to translate technical requirements into actionable tasks for your team.

Emphasize Your Passion for Streaming Media

ViacomCBS is looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in the streaming media landscape. Be prepared to discuss your favorite streaming services, what you enjoy about them, and how you see the future of streaming evolving. This will not only show your enthusiasm for the industry but also help you connect with your interviewers on a personal level.

Stay Professional and Patient

The interview process at ViacomCBS has been described as somewhat disorganized at times. If you encounter delays or unexpected changes, maintain a professional demeanor. Follow up politely if you haven’t heard back after an interview, and be patient as they navigate their internal processes. Your ability to handle such situations gracefully can reflect positively on your candidacy.

Build Rapport with Interviewers

During your interviews, take the time to build rapport with your interviewers. Engage in casual conversation where appropriate, and show genuine interest in their experiences at ViacomCBS. This can help create a more relaxed atmosphere and may lead to a more favorable impression.

By following these tips, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Manager role at ViacomCBS. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at ViacomCBS. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your understanding of API services, and your ability to collaborate with technical teams. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to product development, and how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Product Management Experience

1. Can you describe a product you managed from conception to launch?

This question aims to assess your end-to-end product management experience and your ability to drive a product through its lifecycle.

How to Answer

Outline the product's vision, the steps you took to develop it, and the results achieved. Highlight your role in gathering requirements, collaborating with teams, and any challenges faced.

Example

“I managed a video streaming feature that allowed users to create personalized playlists. I gathered requirements from users and stakeholders, collaborated with engineering to develop the feature, and launched it successfully, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement.”

2. How do you prioritize features in your product backlog?

This question evaluates your prioritization skills and understanding of business value.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to balancing user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility. Mention any frameworks or tools you use for prioritization.

Example

“I use the MoSCoW method to prioritize features, categorizing them into Must-haves, Should-haves, Could-haves, and Won't-haves. This helps ensure that we focus on delivering maximum value while aligning with business objectives.”

3. Describe a time when you had to manage competing priorities.

This question assesses your ability to handle multiple tasks and stakeholders effectively.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you successfully managed competing demands, explaining your decision-making process and the outcome.

Example

“When faced with two high-priority projects, I organized a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the impact of each project. By aligning on business goals, we decided to allocate resources to the project with the highest potential ROI, which led to a successful launch.”

4. How do you gather and incorporate feedback from users?

This question focuses on your user-centric approach to product management.

How to Answer

Explain your methods for collecting user feedback, such as surveys, interviews, or usability testing, and how you integrate that feedback into your product development process.

Example

“I regularly conduct user interviews and surveys to gather feedback. After a recent feature launch, I analyzed user feedback and identified areas for improvement, which we then prioritized in our next sprint.”

Technical Understanding

5. What is your experience with API services, and how do you ensure they meet user needs?

This question evaluates your technical knowledge and understanding of API services.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with APIs, how you gather requirements for them, and how you ensure they are user-friendly and efficient.

Example

“I have worked closely with engineering teams to define API requirements based on user stories. I ensure that APIs are well-documented and user-friendly by conducting regular reviews and gathering feedback from developers who use them.”

6. How do you approach documentation for technical projects?

This question assesses your ability to create clear and useful documentation.

How to Answer

Explain your process for documenting technical projects, including what tools you use and how you ensure that documentation is accessible to all stakeholders.

Example

“I use Confluence to document project details, including user stories, workflows, and technical specifications. I ensure that documentation is updated regularly and accessible to all team members to facilitate collaboration.”

7. Can you explain the difference between REST and GraphQL APIs?

This question tests your technical knowledge of API architectures.

How to Answer

Provide a brief comparison of REST and GraphQL, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Example

“REST APIs are resource-based and use multiple endpoints, while GraphQL allows clients to request specific data through a single endpoint. GraphQL can reduce over-fetching and under-fetching of data, making it more efficient for complex queries.”

Collaboration and Leadership

8. How do you foster collaboration between technical and non-technical teams?

This question evaluates your ability to bridge the gap between different teams.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for facilitating communication and collaboration, such as regular meetings, shared tools, or cross-functional teams.

Example

“I organize regular cross-functional meetings to ensure alignment between technical and non-technical teams. I also use tools like JIRA to keep everyone updated on project progress and encourage open communication.”

9. Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict within your team.

This question assesses your conflict resolution skills and leadership style.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a conflict, how you approached it, and the resolution achieved.

Example

“When two team members disagreed on the direction of a project, I facilitated a meeting where each could express their viewpoints. By encouraging open dialogue, we found a compromise that incorporated both ideas, leading to a stronger final product.”

10. How do you measure the success of a product after launch?

This question evaluates your understanding of product metrics and KPIs.

How to Answer

Discuss the metrics you track post-launch and how you use them to assess product performance and inform future decisions.

Example

“I track metrics such as user engagement, retention rates, and customer feedback. By analyzing these metrics, I can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions for future iterations.”