Tianyu Koenig

Many product managers, aspiring PMs, and even experienced candidates can tell a case study that sounds structured at first glance. But once an interviewer starts digging deeper, gaps begin to appear: concepts get mixed up, logic jumps from one step to another, and decisions seem unsupported. After reviewing hundreds of product cases and mock interviews, I’ve noticed the same pattern repeatedly. Most weak product cases fall into four common traps. Let's get started. Common Mistake #1: Treating...

One of the most common issues I notice when reviewing resumes and portfolios isn’t weak experience. It’s weak storytelling around impact. Many people tell me they have no idea how to describe the results of their work. Others go in the opposite direction and start adding numbers that sound impressive but immediately feel unrealistic. Hiring managers read hundreds of resumes. They can usually tell when a metric reflects real work versus when it sounds like something generated to fill space....

Most candidates finish an interview and send a simple “Thank you for your time.” And then they wait. But recently, one of my UX students did something different. After her final round, she didn’t send a thank-you note. She sent a 90-day onboarding plan . A few hours later, the hiring manager replied personally: “I appreciate you taking time to do that,” and invited her to discuss offer details. This is what most candidates miss. The interview does not end when the conversation ends. There is...