Via Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Via is a technology company committed to transforming global transportation, aiming to enhance daily commutes while reducing environmental impact.

As a Product Manager at Via, you will lead the design, development, and launch of innovative products tailored for transit agencies and municipal partners. Your key responsibilities will include understanding the needs of transportation planners through user interviews and feedback, synthesizing these insights into actionable product strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as engineering, design, and marketing to drive product development. You will also be tasked with measuring product performance, iterating based on results, and staying abreast of industry trends to ensure Via remains at the forefront of transit technology.

To excel in this role, you should possess a strong background in product management (5-7 years), demonstrate exceptional communication skills, and have a user-centric mindset with a passion for creating impactful software products. Your ability to simplify complex concepts, work collaboratively with diverse teams, and handle the end-to-end product lifecycle will be essential. A deep empathy for users, particularly those in underserved communities, will help you craft solutions that enhance accessibility and efficiency in public transit.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations of the role and the qualities that Via values, giving you an edge in demonstrating your fit for the position.

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

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The first step is a phone interview with a recruiter, lasting about 30 minutes. This conversation serves as an introduction to the company and the role, where the recruiter will gauge your interest in Via and discuss your background. Expect questions about your experience, motivations for applying, and how you align with Via's mission to transform transportation.

2. Hiring Manager Interview

Following the recruiter call, candidates will have a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager. This session focuses on your product management experience, particularly your ability to synthesize customer needs into actionable product strategies. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, how you prioritize features, and your approach to cross-functional collaboration.

3. Technical and Behavioral Interviews

Candidates will then participate in a series of technical and behavioral interviews, often conducted by various team members, including product designers and engineers. These interviews may include case study questions that assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically about product development. Expect to discuss how you would approach specific challenges related to transportation and transit agencies.

4. Home Assignment

A unique aspect of the Via interview process is the home assignment, which candidates typically have about a week to complete. This assignment often involves analyzing a transportation-related problem and proposing a solution. It is designed to evaluate your analytical skills, creativity, and understanding of the product lifecycle. Be prepared to present your findings in a follow-up interview.

5. Final Interview Round

The final stage usually consists of interviews with senior leadership or cross-functional stakeholders. This round may include discussions about your home assignment, as well as deeper dives into your product management philosophy and how you would fit into the company culture. Expect to articulate your vision for the product and how you would drive its success.

Throughout the process, candidates should demonstrate their passion for public transit, their ability to work collaboratively, and their commitment to creating user-centric products.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

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

Understand the Company’s Mission and Values

Via is deeply committed to transforming transportation and making it accessible for all, especially underserved communities. Familiarize yourself with their mission and how they aim to reduce carbon emissions and improve public mobility. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals.

Prepare for a Multi-Stage Interview Process

The interview process at Via typically involves multiple stages, including recruiter calls, interviews with hiring managers, and possibly a super day with various team members. Each stage may focus on different aspects of your experience and skills. Be ready to articulate your product management experience, particularly in relation to public transit and technology.

Emphasize Your Product Management Experience

Given the role's requirements, highlight your experience in managing the end-to-end product lifecycle. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you successfully drove product planning, development, and launch. Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work, especially in terms of user satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Showcase Your Collaborative Skills

Via values teamwork and collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you have worked with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, and marketing. Share examples of how you facilitated communication and collaboration to achieve product goals, and emphasize your ability to listen and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders.

Be Ready for Case Study Questions

Expect case study questions that assess your problem-solving skills and product sense. You may be asked to analyze a scenario related to transit operations or user experience. Practice structuring your responses clearly, outlining your thought process, and demonstrating how you would approach the problem strategically.

Highlight Your User-Centric Approach

Via is focused on creating products that meet the needs of transit agencies and their users. Be prepared to discuss how you gather and synthesize user feedback to inform product decisions. Share examples of how you have designed features with empathy for users, particularly those from diverse backgrounds or with special needs.

Prepare for Technical Discussions

While the role may not be heavily technical, having a solid understanding of the technology behind transit solutions can be beneficial. Brush up on relevant technical concepts, especially those related to algorithms and data analysis, as you may encounter questions that require you to demonstrate your technical acumen.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

Via operates in a rapidly evolving industry. Show that you are knowledgeable about current trends in transportation technology, public transit challenges, and innovative solutions. This will not only demonstrate your passion for the field but also your ability to contribute to Via's strategic initiatives.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, send a thoughtful follow-up email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Use this as a chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to Via's mission. This can help you stand out in a competitive candidate pool.

By preparing thoroughly and aligning your experiences with Via's mission and values, you can 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 Via. The interview process is likely to focus on your ability to understand user needs, develop product strategies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Expect a mix of behavioral, case study, and technical questions that assess your product management skills and your understanding of the transportation industry.

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at Via?

This question aims to gauge your motivation and alignment with the company's mission and values.

How to Answer

Discuss your passion for transforming transportation and how Via's goals resonate with your personal and professional aspirations.

Example

"I am excited about the opportunity to work at Via because I believe in the power of technology to create more efficient and equitable transportation solutions. Your commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving public transit aligns perfectly with my values and my desire to make a positive impact in communities."

2. Describe a time you had to tell someone no. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your communication skills and ability to manage expectations.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you had to decline a request, focusing on how you communicated your decision and maintained a positive relationship.

Example

"In a previous role, I had to inform a stakeholder that we couldn't prioritize their feature request due to resource constraints. I explained our current focus and offered to revisit their request in the next planning cycle, ensuring they felt heard and valued."

3. Share a product or substantial feature you previously built.

This question allows you to showcase your experience and the impact of your work.

How to Answer

Detail the product or feature, your role in its development, and the results it achieved.

Example

"I led the development of a mobile app feature that allowed users to track their rides in real-time. By conducting user interviews and analyzing feedback, we improved user engagement by 30% and reduced support inquiries related to ride status."

4. What are the steps to implement a new feature?

This question tests your understanding of the product development lifecycle.

How to Answer

Outline the key steps, from ideation to launch, emphasizing collaboration and user feedback.

Example

"The steps include identifying user needs, defining the feature scope, collaborating with design and engineering teams, developing a prototype, conducting user testing, and finally launching the feature while monitoring its performance post-launch."

Case Study Questions

1. If Via's ratings are low in a specific neighborhood, how would you investigate the issue?

This question evaluates your analytical and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Discuss the data you would collect, the stakeholders you would engage, and the methods you would use to analyze the situation.

Example

"I would start by analyzing user feedback and ride data from that neighborhood. Engaging with local transit agencies and conducting user interviews would provide insights into potential issues. Based on the findings, I would prioritize solutions that address the root causes of low ratings."

2. Should Via expand its services to a new area? What factors would you consider?

This question assesses your strategic thinking and understanding of market dynamics.

How to Answer

Identify key factors such as market demand, competition, operational feasibility, and alignment with company goals.

Example

"I would evaluate the potential demand for services in the new area, analyze competitor offerings, assess operational challenges, and consider how this expansion aligns with Via's mission to provide equitable transportation solutions."

3. How would you measure the success of a new product feature?

This question tests your ability to define and track key performance indicators (KPIs).

How to Answer

Discuss the specific metrics you would use to evaluate success and how you would gather data.

Example

"I would define success metrics such as user adoption rates, engagement levels, and customer satisfaction scores. I would use analytics tools to track these metrics and gather user feedback to iterate on the feature post-launch."

Technical Questions

1. What is your experience with data analysis in product management?

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

How to Answer

Share specific tools or methodologies you have used and how they have informed your product decisions.

Example

"I regularly use tools like SQL and Excel to analyze user data and track product performance. For instance, I used SQL to identify trends in user behavior, which helped us prioritize features that significantly improved user retention."

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

This question evaluates your prioritization framework and decision-making process.

How to Answer

Discuss the criteria you use for prioritization, such as user impact, business value, and resource availability.

Example

"I prioritize features based on a combination of user feedback, alignment with strategic goals, and potential ROI. I also consider the technical feasibility and resource constraints to ensure we can deliver high-impact features effectively."

3. Can you explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical audience?

This question tests your communication skills and ability to simplify complex ideas.

How to Answer

Choose a technical concept relevant to the role and explain it in simple terms, focusing on its relevance to users.

Example

"I would explain machine learning as a way for computers to learn from data and improve over time without being explicitly programmed. For example, in our app, machine learning can help predict ride demand, ensuring we have enough vehicles available when users need them."

4. How do you stay current with industry trends?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning and industry knowledge.

How to Answer

Share specific resources, networks, or events you engage with to stay informed.

Example

"I regularly read industry publications, attend webinars, and participate in product management forums. I also follow thought leaders on social media to gain insights into emerging trends and best practices in transportation technology."