Unum Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Unum is a Fortune 500 company and a leading provider of employee benefits, committed to enhancing the well-being of employees across the globe.

As a Product Manager at Unum, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction of various product lines, ensuring that they align with customer needs and business objectives. Your primary responsibilities will include planning and executing product development roadmaps, managing integrations and partnerships with key stakeholders, and defining metrics to evaluate both business and technical success. You will lead cross-functional teams across multiple countries, leveraging your strong technical background and expertise in product management to foster innovation and drive transformation.

Great candidates for this role will exhibit a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution, possess strong leadership skills, and have a proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment. Your ability to analyze competitive landscapes and utilize customer insights will be vital in shaping product strategy and prioritizing initiatives that drive value.

This guide will help you prepare for the interview process by equipping you with insights into the expectations of the role and the company culture at Unum, enhancing your ability to present yourself as an ideal candidate.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at Unum is structured to assess both technical and leadership capabilities, ensuring candidates align with the company's strategic vision and operational needs. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a phone interview with a recruiter, lasting about 30 to 45 minutes. This conversation focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Unum. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Product Manager role, gauging your fit for the organization.

2. Technical and Behavioral Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates are invited to a technical and behavioral interview, often conducted via video conferencing. This round typically involves a panel of interviewers, including potential peers and managers. Expect to discuss your experience with product management methodologies, particularly Agile and Lean practices, as well as your approach to defining product roadmaps and metrics for success. Behavioral questions will likely focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to handle conflict within teams.

3. In-Person or Virtual Panel Interview

The next stage is a more in-depth panel interview, which may be conducted in person or virtually. This round usually includes multiple interviewers from different departments, such as IT, marketing, and operations. Candidates should be prepared to present case studies or examples of past projects, demonstrating their ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive product development. Questions may delve into your strategic thinking, customer focus, and how you prioritize competing business needs.

4. Final Interview with Senior Leadership

The final step often involves a meeting with senior leadership or executives. This interview is designed to assess your alignment with Unum's long-term vision and strategic goals. Expect discussions around your leadership philosophy, how you would contribute to the company's transformation initiatives, and your understanding of the competitive landscape in the employee benefits sector. This is also an opportunity for you to ask insightful questions about the company's direction and culture.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their analytical skills, technical acumen, and ability to foster collaboration across teams.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise, particularly those that explore your experience with product metrics, team leadership, and conflict resolution.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Unum prides itself on an award-winning culture that emphasizes inclusion and diversity. Familiarize yourself with their core values and how they translate into everyday practices. During the interview, demonstrate your alignment with these values by sharing examples of how you have fostered inclusivity and collaboration in your previous roles. This will show that you are not only a fit for the role but also for the company as a whole.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a range of behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and leadership skills. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. For instance, when discussing a time you led a project, clearly outline the situation, your specific responsibilities, the actions you took, and the outcomes achieved. This structured approach will help you convey your experiences effectively and leave a lasting impression.

Showcase Your Technical Acumen

As a Product Manager at Unum, a strong technical background is essential. Be prepared to discuss your experience with product development, particularly in web and mobile environments. Highlight any familiarity with Agile methodologies, Lean management systems, and your ability to leverage technology for business transformation. This will demonstrate your capability to lead cross-functional teams and drive product success.

Emphasize Customer-Centric Thinking

Unum places a strong emphasis on customer focus. Be ready to discuss how you have used customer insights to shape product strategies in the past. Share specific examples of how you have prioritized customer needs and how that has influenced your decision-making process. This will illustrate your commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences, which is crucial for the role.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of Unum's business and the challenges they face. Inquire about their product roadmap, how they measure success, or how they foster innovation within teams. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your strategic thinking and engagement with the company's future.

Be Ready for Panel Interviews

Many candidates have experienced panel interviews at Unum, which can be intimidating. Approach these interviews with confidence by practicing your responses to potential questions with a friend or mentor. Remember to engage with each panel member, making eye contact and addressing their questions directly. This will help you build rapport and demonstrate your interpersonal skills.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from the interview that resonated with you. This not only shows your professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their decision.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Unum. The interview process will likely focus on your ability to lead product development, manage cross-functional teams, and drive business outcomes through strategic planning and execution. Be prepared to discuss your experience with product management methodologies, customer insights, and your approach to problem-solving.

Experience and Background

1. Walk me through your resume and highlight your relevant experience in product management.

This question allows you to showcase your career journey and how it aligns with the role at Unum.

How to Answer

Focus on your key achievements in product management, emphasizing your experience with digital products, customer engagement, and any relevant technologies.

Example

“I have over ten years of experience in product management, primarily in the tech sector. At my previous company, I led a cross-functional team to launch a mobile application that increased user engagement by 30%. My role involved defining the product roadmap, collaborating with engineering teams, and utilizing customer feedback to drive enhancements.”

Product Strategy and Development

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

This question assesses your ability to manage competing priorities and make strategic decisions.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including frameworks you use (like MoSCoW or RICE) and how you incorporate customer feedback and business goals.

Example

“I prioritize features based on a combination of customer impact, business value, and development effort. I often use the RICE framework to score each feature, ensuring that we focus on high-impact items that align with our strategic goals. Regularly reviewing this with stakeholders helps keep everyone aligned.”

3. Describe a time when you had to pivot a product strategy. What was the outcome?

This question evaluates your adaptability and decision-making skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you had to change direction based on market feedback or internal challenges, and highlight the results of that pivot.

Example

“During the development of a new feature, we received feedback indicating that it didn’t meet user needs. I quickly organized a series of user interviews to gather insights, which led us to pivot our strategy. We redesigned the feature, resulting in a 40% increase in user satisfaction post-launch.”

Team Leadership and Collaboration

4. How do you handle conflict within your team?

This question explores your leadership style and conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I encourage open dialogue among team members to understand their viewpoints. I facilitate discussions to ensure everyone feels heard and work towards a solution that aligns with our project goals. This approach has helped maintain a collaborative team environment.”

5. Can you give an example of how you have influenced stakeholders in a project?

This question assesses your ability to communicate effectively and gain buy-in from various stakeholders.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you successfully influenced stakeholders, detailing the strategies you used to communicate your vision and gain support.

Example

“In a previous project, I needed buy-in from senior leadership for a new product initiative. I prepared a detailed presentation that included market research, potential ROI, and customer testimonials. By addressing their concerns and aligning the project with company goals, I secured their support and resources.”

Customer Focus and Insights

6. How do you gather and incorporate customer feedback into your product development process?

This question evaluates your commitment to customer-centric product management.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I regularly conduct user interviews and surveys to gather feedback on our products. I also analyze usage data to identify pain points. This information is then prioritized in our product backlog, ensuring that we address customer needs in our development cycles.”

7. What metrics do you consider most important for measuring product success?

This question assesses your understanding of product metrics and KPIs.

How to Answer

Discuss the key metrics you track, such as user engagement, retention rates, and revenue growth, and explain why they are important.

Example

“I focus on metrics like user engagement, retention rates, and customer satisfaction scores. These metrics provide insights into how well the product meets user needs and its overall impact on the business. For instance, a drop in retention rates would prompt a deeper analysis of user experience and feature effectiveness.”

Problem Solving and Innovation

8. Describe a challenging problem you faced in product management and how you solved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and creativity.

How to Answer

Share a specific challenge, the steps you took to address it, and the outcome of your actions.

Example

“We faced a significant delay in our product launch due to unforeseen technical issues. I organized a series of brainstorming sessions with the engineering team to identify the root cause and potential solutions. By reallocating resources and adjusting our timeline, we managed to launch only two weeks late, which minimized the impact on our customers.”

9. How do you stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning and innovation.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as industry publications, networking events, or online courses.

Example

“I subscribe to several industry newsletters and regularly attend webinars and conferences. I also participate in online forums and communities where product managers share insights and best practices. This helps me stay ahead of trends and apply new ideas to our product strategy.”