Despite being ineligible for the role at the time due to their preference for final year UG students (I was in prefinal year back then), I decided to take a chance and participate in the hiring process. To my surprise, the experience turned out to be incredibly rewarding, and I gained valuable insights throughout, appreciating their transparent approach.

Fast forward to September 2021, a serendipitous moment occurred as I scrolled through LinkedIn and stumbled upon a PM Intern hiring post at none other than DUNZO. Without hesitation, I seized the opportunity and submitted my application. The excitement grew as I received details about the hiring process, which would consist of four captivating rounds: Written Application, Aptitude Test, Product Case Study, and Final Interview. My journey had just begun, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead me!

A. Written Application (Assignment)

It was an Assignment in disguise of a written application, lol. The form asked some basic details and an assignment consisting of 3 questions mainly around Problem Identification, Problem Solving and Visionary Thinking. 

The Actual Assignment Questions were - 

Ques 1. Discuss the major challenges faced by consumers in Online Grocery Shopping & Delivery. 

Ques 2. How should Dunzo solve these challenges faced by consumers?

Ques 3. Imagine what hyperlocal delivery will look like 10 years from now. Tell us about that world. 

This is the actual assignment I submitted which enabled me to proceed at next step of process - 

I've shared my actual assignment to dispel the misconception that you need to do something extraordinary. The truth is, what truly matters is how closely your answer aligns with the question. These assignments aren't about judging your solutions but about grasping the fundamentals of the problems.

Feel free to take a look at my assignment above. It's straightforward and simple, with minimal focus on the UI (though it's essential to consider it to improve the chances of engaging the reader). The key here is to ask yourself, "Can I effectively convey what I've understood?" So, it's best to avoid using fancy language and jargon, particularly in written assignments. Confidence in using jargon only works well when the task is in person or face-to-face.

Interestingly, my assignment was selected, and as a result, I was among the shortlisted candidates who received the test link for the Aptitude test. Exciting times lie ahead!

B. Aptitude Test

The Aptitude test was relatively above average than the usual tests relative to other product companies. It has two sections (1) Aptitude & Reasoning (2) Data Analysis (SQL/Excel)

Only 25 Students will go ahead this test, it was informed by the Dunzo team. Hence, it was competitive too.

Part (1) had questions of Profit/loss, percentage, time & work and all other topics that are usually asked in CAT except English. 

Part (2) was on Data Analysis, they have provided us with some data (having 10000+ rows and 20+ columns). Using either Excel or SQL, there were 5 questions we needed to answer. Questions were mainly around Group By, Sorting, concatenation and usual topic. The competition was more about speed. 

Though my Part 2 didn't went well (I guess i did only 3 ques out of 5 in it), somehow i was in 25 folks they selected.

C. Product Case Study 

In this round a prompt was given on which we have to make a doc/deck that was: 

Improving Order placing Journey on DUNZO  

Head of Product at DUNZO, tasked with doubling active users, aims to optimize the order-placing journey. Enhancements include an intuitive interface, personalized recommendations, real-time tracking, and multiple payment options. Market analysis explores growth opportunities and potential partnerships, with a monetization strategy involving subscriptions and collaborations. A go-to-market plan includes marketing campaigns, referral programs, and influencer partnerships. Success metrics encompass increased active users, reduced churn rate, revenue growth, and order frequency. The goal is to elevate user experience, expand the user base, and establish DUNZO as the preferred platform for instant doorstep deliveries 

Luckily, I was one of the 8 folks shortlisted for the final interview.

D. Final Product Interview 

Let me take you through an intriguing interview experience with one of the main Product Managers, where the focus was on testing both product sense and communication skills. As you know, most interviews revolve around evaluating these crucial aspects.

It all began with the customary introduction, but there was a twist. The interviewer realized that I wasn't a final year graduate and informed me that I might not be eligible for the role. An interesting dilemma presented itself – should we continue with the interview or call it off? However, I was determined to turn this into a valuable learning experience, regardless of the outcome.

Optimistically, I expressed my desire to make the most of the opportunity, even knowing that I might not secure the position. The interviewer agreed, and after a pleasant five-minute informal chat, we dove right into the heart of the matter.

For the next 15 minutes, we delved into my deck, exploring the metrics I had presented. One particularly intriguing question was, "Why do you believe Revenue per User (RPU) matters more than Orders per User?" I explained my viewpoint from the perspective of a delivery company, which resonated with the interviewer. He appreciated the fact that many people confuse DUNZO for a shopping app or marketplace, overlooking its primary logistics role.

The questions continued, this time centered around the role of a Product Manager. It was fascinating how the interviewer went deep into the fundamentals. What exactly is a PM, and what do they do? I was faced with examples where a PM is indispensable and situations where their presence might not be necessary. It was eye-opening, and I realized the significance of thoroughly preparing for such fundamental questions if one aspires to join the product world.

Although I navigated these questions reasonably well, I couldn't shake the feeling that I could have done better. Nevertheless, the next question brought some comfort – "What is your favorite product?" A classic query that everyone should be prepared for. I promptly answered, "Whatsapp."

The interviewer then inquired about my favorite aspects of the app and how I would enhance it. The questions were more generic in nature, but they made me ponder and reflect on the user experience of a widely used product like Whatsapp.

Overall, it was a captivating interview that left me with valuable insights into the world of Product Management. The experience taught me that the journey of preparing for a product role involves much more than just the technical aspect. Understanding the fundamentals and having a holistic perspective play a vital role in making a lasting impression.

Feedback - 

After the interview, the feedback I received from him was incredibly detailed and encouraging. In essence, he remarked, "You performed excellently and displayed a profound understanding of products and problem-solving. However, to progress further, it's essential to gain clarity on your motivation for becoming a PM and what draws you to it. Understanding these aspects will enable you to make well-informed career decisions in the ambiguous and dynamic world of Product Management." 

NOTE: I was not selected, the reason stated was ineligibility (but I doubt it could be my fault too based on my interview)

Hope it will help. Tata!

Thanks for reading.