Ing-Diba Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Ing-Diba is a leading bank in Germany, known for its innovative approach to financial services and commitment to customer satisfaction.

As a Product Manager at Ing-Diba, you will play a crucial role in shaping the bank's product strategy, particularly in the area of real estate financing. Your primary responsibilities will include analyzing and optimizing product and pricing strategies to align with commercial and financial goals. You will work closely with stakeholders to plan and achieve business, volume, and revenue targets while focusing on margin and cost optimization. The role also requires you to monitor market trends and customer insights, ensuring that the product offerings are competitive and relevant. You will be responsible for evaluating business cases, overseeing pricing calculations, and maintaining the budget, while effectively collaborating with various departments.

Key skills required for this position include a strong background in product management, particularly within the finance sector, and a comprehensive understanding of banking products. Your experience in agile project management and analytical, structured thinking will be essential in driving customer and sales-oriented outcomes. Fluency in both German and English is a must, as you will be interacting with diverse teams and clients.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by focusing on the specific competencies and cultural fit that Ing-Diba values in its Product Managers, ensuring you present yourself as a strong candidate who aligns with the company’s mission and objectives.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at Ing-Diba is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and expectations. The process typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and fit for the role.

1. Initial HR Screening

The first step in the interview process is a phone screening with a recruiter or HR representative. This conversation usually lasts about 30-45 minutes and focuses on understanding your background, motivations for applying, and general fit for the company culture. Expect questions about your resume, your interest in the banking sector, and why you want to work at Ing-Diba. This stage is crucial for establishing a rapport and determining if you meet the basic qualifications for the role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This round may involve discussions with a Product Lead or a member of the technical team. The focus here is on your experience with product management, including your understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, and financial analysis. You may be asked to provide examples of past projects, discuss your approach to managing product lifecycles, and demonstrate your analytical skills through case studies or situational questions.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is designed to assess your soft skills and how you handle various workplace scenarios. This round often includes questions about teamwork, conflict resolution, and your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Interviewers will be looking for specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving abilities and how you align with Ing-Diba's values, such as collaboration and customer focus.

4. Final Interview with Senior Management

In the final stage, candidates may meet with senior management or the Product Area Lead. This interview is more in-depth and focuses on your strategic thinking and vision for the product. You may be asked to discuss your understanding of the banking industry, your approach to driving business growth, and how you would manage cross-functional projects. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company's direction and how you can contribute to its success.

5. Assessment and Feedback

Some candidates may be required to complete assessments or case studies as part of the interview process. These tasks are designed to evaluate your analytical skills and ability to apply your knowledge in practical scenarios. After all interviews are completed, candidates can expect timely feedback regarding their performance and the next steps in the hiring process.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your experience and skills in product management.

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

Understand the Company Culture

At Ing-Diba, the emphasis on a collaborative and open environment is paramount. Familiarize yourself with their values, particularly their commitment to an open error culture and diverse backgrounds. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company’s culture, and share examples of how you have thrived in similar environments.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral questions that assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Prepare stories that highlight your teamwork, conflict resolution, and adaptability. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey not just what you did, but how you approached challenges and collaborated with others.

Showcase Your Product Management Experience

Given the role's focus on product and pricing management, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in these areas. Highlight specific projects where you analyzed market trends, developed product strategies, or optimized pricing. Be prepared to discuss how you have worked with stakeholders to achieve business goals, as this will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

While the interviews may not be heavily technical, having a solid understanding of relevant tools and methodologies is crucial. Familiarize yourself with SQL, Power BI, and Excel, as these are commonly referenced in the interview process. Be ready to discuss how you have used these tools in past roles to drive product decisions or analyze data.

Communicate Your Motivation

Articulate clearly why you want to work at Ing-Diba and in the banking sector. Reflect on your career goals and how this position aligns with them. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the banking industry, particularly in relation to product management and customer experience.

Engage with Your Interviewers

The interviewers at Ing-Diba are known for being friendly and approachable. Use this to your advantage by engaging them in conversation. Ask insightful questions about the team, the company’s future direction, and how they measure success in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Be Patient and Flexible

The interview process can be lengthy, with multiple rounds and potential delays. Stay patient and maintain a positive attitude throughout. If you encounter any unexpected changes in the schedule, approach them with flexibility and professionalism, as this reflects your adaptability—an essential trait for a product manager.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your qualifications and fit for the Product Manager role at Ing-Diba. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during an interview for a Product Manager role at Ing-Diba. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your understanding of market trends, and your ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical skills, and how you align with the company's values and culture.

Experience and Background

1. Why do you want to work at Ing-Diba?

This question assesses your motivation for applying and your understanding of the company’s mission and values.

How to Answer

Articulate your interest in the company and how it aligns with your career goals. Mention specific aspects of Ing-Diba that resonate with you, such as their commitment to customer experience or innovation in banking.

Example

“I am drawn to Ing-Diba because of its strong focus on customer experience and its innovative approach to banking. I admire how the company embraces a culture of openness and continuous improvement, which aligns with my values as a product manager. I believe my background in product strategy can contribute to enhancing customer satisfaction and driving growth.”

Product Management Skills

2. Describe your experience with product and pricing strategy development.

This question evaluates your practical experience in managing product lifecycles and pricing strategies.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you developed or optimized product strategies. Highlight your analytical skills and how you used data to inform your decisions.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a project to revamp our pricing strategy for a key product line. By analyzing market trends and customer feedback, I identified opportunities for price adjustments that increased our market share by 15%. I collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and successful implementation.”

3. How do you prioritize features and requirements when managing a product?

This question assesses your decision-making process and ability to balance stakeholder needs.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or methodologies you use. Emphasize your ability to communicate with stakeholders to understand their needs.

Example

“I use a combination of the MoSCoW method and stakeholder feedback to prioritize features. I ensure that the most critical features that align with our business goals and customer needs are addressed first. Regular check-ins with stakeholders help me stay aligned with their expectations and adjust priorities as needed.”

Market Analysis and Trends

4. How do you stay informed about market trends and customer needs?

This question gauges your commitment to continuous learning and market awareness.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay updated, such as industry reports, networking, or customer interviews. Highlight your proactive approach to gathering insights.

Example

“I regularly read industry publications and attend webinars to stay updated on market trends. Additionally, I conduct customer interviews and surveys to gather direct feedback, which helps me understand their evolving needs and preferences.”

5. Can you give an example of a time you identified a new market opportunity?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and ability to spot growth opportunities.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where your analysis led to a successful product launch or market entry.

Example

“While analyzing customer data, I noticed a growing demand for digital banking solutions among younger demographics. I proposed a new mobile app feature tailored to this audience, which resulted in a 25% increase in user engagement within the first three months of launch.”

Behavioral Questions

6. Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict within your team.

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate challenges.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the conflict, and the outcome. Emphasize your communication and negotiation skills.

Example

“In a previous project, two team members had differing opinions on the product direction. I facilitated a meeting where each could present their viewpoints. By encouraging open dialogue, we reached a consensus that incorporated elements from both perspectives, ultimately leading to a stronger product.”

7. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

This question evaluates your time management and stress management skills.

How to Answer

Share your strategies for managing stress and meeting deadlines, including any tools or techniques you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, using project management tools to keep track of progress. During high-pressure situations, I maintain open communication with my team to ensure everyone is aligned and supported. This approach has helped me consistently meet deadlines without compromising quality.”