Sonder Inc. Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sonder Inc. is a technology-driven hospitality company that aims to redefine the way people experience travel through beautifully designed and fully furnished accommodations.

As a Product Manager at Sonder, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the company's offerings. Your key responsibilities will include defining product vision and strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive product development, and utilizing data-driven insights to inform product decisions. You will be expected to balance user needs with business goals, ensuring that every product aligns with Sonder’s commitment to exceptional guest experiences. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of product lifecycle management, and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Experience with agile methodologies and a passion for the hospitality industry will set you apart in this dynamic and fast-paced environment.

This guide will equip you with insights about the role, enabling you to effectively communicate your fit and grasp the expectations that Sonder has for its product management team.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at Sonder Inc. is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's innovative culture. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a brief phone call with a recruiter, lasting around 30 minutes. This conversation serves to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to discuss your background and relevant experiences. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the expectations for the Product Manager position.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could take the form of a coding challenge or a take-home assignment that tests your problem-solving abilities and understanding of product management principles. The assignment is designed to reflect real-world scenarios you might encounter in the role, and it typically has a time limit, although candidates often find that it requires more time to complete effectively.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates who successfully navigate the technical assessment will move on to a series of behavioral interviews. These interviews are conducted by various team members, including hiring managers and senior leaders. Expect to discuss your past experiences, management style, and how you approach team dynamics. Questions may focus on your ability to adapt, handle challenges, and foster collaboration within a team.

4. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview is a comprehensive evaluation that may include multiple rounds of interviews. During this stage, you will engage in discussions about your take-home project, participate in system design questions, and delve into your previous projects. This is also an opportunity for you to meet potential colleagues and get a feel for the company culture. The onsite experience is designed to be thorough, often lasting a full day, and it may include a mix of technical and cultural fit assessments.

5. Final Discussions

After the onsite interviews, candidates may have follow-up discussions with senior leadership, including the hiring manager or even the CEO. These conversations often focus on your long-term vision for the role and how you can contribute to Sonder's goals. This stage is also an opportunity for you to ask any remaining questions about the company and its direction.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a variety of questions that will assess both your technical skills and your fit within the company culture.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Sonder Inc. is known for its vibrant and dynamic work environment, but it also has a reputation for disorganization in its hiring process. Familiarize yourself with the company's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. This will not only demonstrate your interest in the company but also help you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.

Prepare for a Multi-Stage Interview Process

The interview process at Sonder typically involves multiple stages, including phone screens, coding challenges, and behavioral interviews. Be ready for a comprehensive assessment that may include a take-home assignment or case study. Make sure to allocate enough time to complete these tasks thoughtfully, as they can be time-consuming and require a deep understanding of the role.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During interviews, you may encounter case studies or technical questions that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Be prepared to walk through your thought process clearly and logically. Interviewers at Sonder appreciate candidates who can articulate their reasoning and adapt their solutions to changing requirements, so practice explaining your approach to various scenarios.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect to answer behavioral questions that assess your teamwork, adaptability, and management style. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to set stretch goals, handle failure, and motivate your team. Given the feedback from previous candidates, it’s crucial to convey your interpersonal skills and how you build strong, productive teams.

Communicate Effectively

Throughout the interview process, clear communication is key. Be concise in your responses and ensure you understand the questions being asked. If you find an interviewer is not engaging or is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This shows your willingness to communicate openly and can help foster a better dialogue.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Candidates have reported that the interview process can be lengthy and sometimes disorganized. Keep track of your time during coding challenges and take-home assignments to ensure you can present your best work without feeling rushed. If you encounter delays or lack of communication from the hiring team, remain patient but proactive in following up.

Stay Positive and Professional

Despite some negative experiences shared by candidates, it’s important to maintain a positive demeanor throughout the interview process. Approach each interaction with professionalism and enthusiasm for the role. This attitude can leave a lasting impression on your interviewers and may help you stand out among other candidates.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, consider sending a follow-up email thanking your interviewers for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. This not only shows your appreciation but also keeps you on their radar as they make their decisions.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and clarity, you can navigate the process at Sonder Inc. successfully. Good luck!

Experience and Background

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Sonder Inc. The interview process will likely focus on your ability to manage projects, lead teams, and drive product strategy. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, how you handle challenges, and your approach to team dynamics.

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a stretch goal you set for yourself. What was it and what was the outcome?

This question assesses your ambition and ability to set and achieve challenging objectives.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific goal that pushed your limits, the steps you took to achieve it, and the results. Highlight any lessons learned from the experience.

Example

“I aimed to increase our product's user engagement by 30% within six months. I implemented a series of user feedback sessions and A/B testing to refine our features. Ultimately, we exceeded our goal, achieving a 40% increase in engagement, which significantly boosted our retention rates.”

2. Not all parts of the job are fun and challenging. What task falls into this category for you and how do you motivate yourself to complete it?

This question evaluates your self-awareness and motivation strategies.

How to Answer

Identify a less enjoyable task and explain how you approach it positively. Discuss any techniques you use to stay motivated.

Example

“I find data analysis to be less exciting than other aspects of product management. To stay motivated, I set small milestones and reward myself upon completion. This approach helps me maintain focus and ensures I deliver quality insights that inform our product strategy.”

3. Please describe a time where you failed to meet expectations. What steps did you take in order to meet what was expected of you? What were the results?

This question gauges your resilience and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance of failure, the actions you took to rectify the situation, and the eventual outcome. Emphasize what you learned.

Example

“I once underestimated the timeline for a product launch, resulting in delays. I immediately communicated with stakeholders, adjusted our timeline, and implemented a more rigorous project management approach. The product was eventually launched successfully, and I learned the importance of realistic planning.”

4. Describe how your approach to management builds strong, productive teams. How do you determine whether your team is satisfied at work?

This question assesses your leadership style and team management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your management philosophy and the methods you use to gauge team satisfaction, such as regular check-ins or feedback sessions.

Example

“I believe in fostering an open and collaborative environment. I conduct regular one-on-ones to understand my team’s needs and concerns. This approach has led to higher morale and productivity, as team members feel valued and heard.”

5. Name a time when you had to adapt at work. What steps did you take in order to adapt to the changes? What was the result?

This question evaluates your adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a change you faced, how you adapted, and the positive outcome that resulted from your flexibility.

Example

“When our company shifted to remote work, I quickly adapted by implementing new communication tools and scheduling regular team check-ins. This transition maintained our productivity and even improved team collaboration, as we became more intentional in our interactions.”

Product Management Skills

1. What is your process for prioritizing product features?

This question assesses your ability to make strategic decisions regarding product development.

How to Answer

Explain your prioritization framework, such as using metrics, user feedback, or business impact to guide your decisions.

Example

“I use a combination of user feedback, market research, and business goals to prioritize features. I often employ a scoring system to evaluate each feature's potential impact, ensuring that we focus on what delivers the most value to our users and the company.”

2. How do you handle conflicts within your team?

This question evaluates your conflict resolution skills and team dynamics management.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to resolving conflicts, emphasizing communication and collaboration.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I facilitate open discussions where each party can express their views. I aim to find common ground and encourage compromise, which often leads to innovative solutions and a stronger team dynamic.”

3. Describe a product you managed from conception to launch. What challenges did you face?

This question assesses your end-to-end product management experience.

How to Answer

Outline the product development lifecycle, the challenges encountered, and how you overcame them.

Example

“I managed a mobile app from conception to launch. One major challenge was aligning cross-functional teams. I organized regular alignment meetings and created a shared project timeline, which helped us stay on track and successfully launch the app on time.”

4. How do you measure the success of a product?

This question evaluates your understanding of product metrics and KPIs.

How to Answer

Discuss the key performance indicators you track and how they inform your product strategy.

Example

“I measure product success through user engagement metrics, retention rates, and customer feedback. By analyzing these KPIs, I can make informed decisions about future iterations and enhancements.”

5. Can you give an example of how you used data to inform a product decision?

This question assesses your analytical skills and data-driven decision-making.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of how data influenced your product strategy or feature development.

Example

“During a feature rollout, I noticed a drop in user engagement through our analytics dashboard. I conducted user surveys to understand the issue and discovered that the feature was not intuitive. We made adjustments based on this feedback, resulting in a 25% increase in engagement post-update.”