Workiva Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Workiva is a leading cloud-based platform that specializes in streamlining compliance, reporting, and data management for organizations across various industries.

As a Product Manager at Workiva, you will be at the forefront of driving product strategy and execution within a dynamic environment that values innovation and collaboration. Your key responsibilities will include defining and executing comprehensive growth strategies that span the entire product lifecycle—from ideation to delivery. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and customer success, to ensure that product features align with customer needs and business objectives. Additionally, you will be responsible for managing critical growth metrics and leveraging data to enhance user experience, optimize workflows, and drive product-led growth initiatives.

To excel in this role, you will need a strong background in product management, particularly in software or SaaS environments. Your experience should include a proven track record of driving significant growth through product-led initiatives, as well as familiarity with AI and machine learning applications in product development. Effective communication and leadership skills are crucial, as you will be required to influence stakeholders across different teams and advocate for customer needs. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment and possesses a keen analytical mindset, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that enhance the overall product experience.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations and the company's culture, allowing you to showcase your fit for the position confidently.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at Workiva is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and mission. The process typically unfolds in several structured stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a phone interview with a recruiter or HR representative. This conversation usually lasts about 30-60 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivations for applying to Workiva. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Product Manager role.

2. Technical and Behavioral Interviews

Following the initial screen, candidates typically undergo one or two rounds of interviews with hiring managers and team members. These interviews are a mix of technical and behavioral questions. You may be asked to discuss your previous product management experiences, how you approach problem-solving, and your familiarity with product development methodologies. Expect to share examples of how you've driven product strategy and collaborated with cross-functional teams.

3. Case Study or Presentation

In some instances, candidates are required to prepare a case study or presentation. This could involve analyzing a product scenario relevant to Workiva's offerings and presenting your findings and recommendations to the interview panel. This step assesses your analytical skills, creativity, and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

4. Panel Interview

Candidates may also participate in a panel interview, which includes multiple team members from different functions. This format allows the team to evaluate how well you can engage with various stakeholders and how you handle questions from different perspectives. Expect a mix of behavioral and situational questions that gauge your ability to work collaboratively and lead initiatives.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often involves a conversation with senior leadership or executives. This interview focuses on your long-term vision for the role, your understanding of Workiva's strategic goals, and how you can contribute to the company's success. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company’s direction and culture.

Throughout the process, Workiva emphasizes a respectful and transparent approach, with timely feedback provided after each stage.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise, particularly those that explore your experience with product management, AI/ML technologies, and your approach to driving growth and innovation.

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

Understand the Product and Market

As a Product Manager at Workiva, you will be expected to have a deep understanding of the products you will manage and the market they serve. Familiarize yourself with Workiva's product offerings, especially in the areas of sustainability and AI. Be prepared to discuss how these products can be optimized for user experience and growth. Research the competitive landscape and be ready to articulate how Workiva differentiates itself in the market.

Emphasize Your Data-Driven Approach

Workiva values a data-driven mindset, especially in product management roles. Be prepared to discuss how you have used data to inform product decisions in the past. Highlight your experience with A/B testing, user metrics, and analytics tools. Demonstrating your ability to leverage data to drive product strategy will resonate well with the interviewers.

Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration

The role requires leading cross-functional initiatives, so be ready to share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with engineering, marketing, and design teams. Discuss specific projects where you navigated differing priorities and how you achieved alignment among stakeholders. This will illustrate your ability to influence and inspire across multiple teams, a key competency for this role.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills and how you handle conflict. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on past experiences where you faced challenges in product management and how you overcame them. This will help you convey your thought process and adaptability.

Be Ready for Technical Discussions

While the focus may be on product management, having a solid understanding of the technical aspects of the products you will manage is crucial. Brush up on relevant technologies, especially those related to AI and machine learning, as well as any tools or frameworks that Workiva uses. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach technical challenges and collaborate with engineering teams.

Communicate Your Vision

As a Product Manager, you will need to articulate a clear vision for your products. Be prepared to discuss how you would define and execute a growth strategy, including how you would measure success. Share your thoughts on potential AI capabilities that could enhance product value and user experience. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and alignment with Workiva's goals.

Reflect Workiva's Values

Workiva places a strong emphasis on its core values, such as customer success, collaboration, and innovation. During your interview, weave these values into your responses. Show how your personal values align with those of the company and how you can contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After the interview, send a thoughtful follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from the conversation that resonated with you and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows your professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position.

By preparing thoroughly and aligning your experiences with Workiva's expectations, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Manager role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Workiva. The interview process will likely focus on your ability to drive product strategy, manage cross-functional teams, and leverage data to inform decision-making. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, particularly those that demonstrate your leadership, analytical skills, and understanding of product management in a SaaS environment.

Product Strategy and Management

1. Describe a time when you had to define a product vision and strategy. What steps did you take?

This question assesses your ability to create a clear product vision and strategy that aligns with business goals.

How to Answer

Discuss the process you followed to gather insights from stakeholders, analyze market trends, and define a vision that addresses customer needs.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a team to develop a new feature for our SaaS product. I conducted user interviews to understand pain points, analyzed competitor offerings, and collaborated with stakeholders to define a vision that prioritized user experience. This resulted in a product roadmap that increased user engagement by 30%.”

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

This question evaluates your prioritization skills and understanding of product management frameworks.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to balancing customer needs, business goals, and technical feasibility when prioritizing features.

Example

“I use a combination of the MoSCoW method and customer feedback to prioritize features. I categorize them into Must-haves, Should-haves, Could-haves, and Won't-haves, ensuring that we focus on delivering maximum value to our users while aligning with business objectives.”

3. Can you give an example of a successful product launch you managed? What were the key factors that contributed to its success?

This question seeks to understand your experience with product launches and the strategies you employed.

How to Answer

Highlight the planning, execution, and post-launch analysis you conducted, emphasizing collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Example

“I managed the launch of a new analytics dashboard that improved user insights. Key factors included thorough market research, a well-defined go-to-market strategy, and close collaboration with marketing and customer success teams to ensure user adoption. Post-launch, we saw a 40% increase in user engagement.”

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

This question assesses your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics relevant to product management.

How to Answer

Discuss the specific metrics you track and how they relate to overall business objectives.

Example

“I measure product success through metrics such as user adoption rates, customer satisfaction scores, and retention rates. For instance, after implementing a new onboarding process, we tracked a 25% increase in activation rates, which directly contributed to our revenue growth.”

Cross-Functional Collaboration

5. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle the situation?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that demonstrates your conflict resolution skills and ability to find common ground.

Example

“I once worked with a marketing lead who had different priorities for a product feature. I scheduled a meeting to understand their perspective and shared data on how the feature aligned with our overall goals. By finding common ground, we were able to adjust the timeline and ensure both teams were satisfied.”

6. How do you ensure alignment between engineering, design, and marketing teams during product development?

This question assesses your ability to facilitate communication and collaboration among teams.

How to Answer

Explain your strategies for maintaining transparency and regular communication throughout the product development lifecycle.

Example

“I hold regular cross-functional meetings to discuss progress and address any roadblocks. I also use project management tools to keep everyone updated on timelines and responsibilities, ensuring that all teams are aligned and working towards the same goals.”

Data-Driven Decision Making

7. How do you leverage data to inform your product decisions?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and understanding of data-driven product management.

How to Answer

Discuss the types of data you analyze and how you use insights to guide product development.

Example

“I analyze user behavior data, customer feedback, and market trends to inform product decisions. For instance, I used A/B testing to evaluate two onboarding processes, which revealed that one approach led to higher activation rates. This data-driven insight allowed us to optimize the user experience effectively.”

8. Can you describe a situation where data contradicted your initial assumptions? How did you respond?

This question assesses your ability to adapt and make decisions based on data.

How to Answer

Share an example where you had to pivot your strategy based on data insights and the impact it had on the product.

Example

“During a feature rollout, initial user feedback suggested that the new design was well-received. However, data showed a drop in usage. I organized user interviews to understand the disconnect and discovered usability issues. We quickly iterated on the design, leading to a 50% increase in user engagement post-adjustment.”