<p>Most interview advice tends to come from the candidate’s perspective - how to prep, share your experiences, and follow up. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the other side of the table. I spoke with hiring leaders from Netflix, Rippling, and EvenUp to learn how three great, yet operationally-different companies evaluate candidates. Surprisingly, all three leaders agreed on one core truth: most candidates are operating from a playbook that’s two years out of date. AI has upended the job-search landscape: old signals are table stakes, and the goal posts have changed.</p><p>Key topics:</p><p>• The new PM: Why companies are looking for candidates who “push the limits of what’s possible”</p><p>• The shift from behavioral to scenario-based questions</p><p>• Does pedigree still matter? Why trajectory is the new alternative signal for recruiters</p><p>• The three things that now separate a great take-home case study submission from a generic one</p><p>• Why case study presentations are still valuable - and help demonstrate core PM skills</p><p>• Whether website applications actually get looked at and why referrals are more binary than most people think</p><p>• How to signal drive and a frontier-pushing mindset when everyone claims to be a high performer</p><p><strong>Where to find Nikhyl</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/nikhyl">Twitter/X</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhyl/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><strong>Where to find McKenzie</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenzielock/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Sam</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samstone/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Sarah</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkoo/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><strong>Join The Skip</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://skip.coach/">Skip Coach</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://skip.community/">Skip Community</a></p><p><strong>Find The Skip</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skip.community/">Website</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://theskip.substack.com/">Substack</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@theskippodcast">YouTube</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4oT2rxMsRP64h9NXuA11DJ">Spotify</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skip-podcast/id1663529202">Apple Podcasts</a></p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:48 Introduction </p><p>04:12 Meet our guests from EvenUp, Rippling, and Netflix</p><p>09:06 How has the hiring process changed since COVID?</p><p>11:17 Is AI fluency explicitly tested in interviews?</p><p>12:42 Why quality and speed are favored over prioritization ability</p><p>16:16 Past experience vs. scenario questions—where the balance is shifting</p><p>19:52 Does pedigree still matter to hiring managers?</p><p>23:10 Why trajectory is an underrated signal to index on</p><p>26:43 Why the LinkedIn DM isn't dead</p><p>29:31 Does the take-home case study still hold value in the AI era?</p><p>33:21 Using case studies to screen for brevity, agency, and strategic thinking</p><p>39:09 Rippling's product discussion and panel case study process</p><p>43:52 Unpacking red flags in case study presentations</p><p>45:43 The collaboration test: curiosity vs. defensiveness under pressure</p><p>47:56 How to get noticed — are website applications even worth it?</p><p>50:56 Where EvenUp proactively sources candidates</p><p>53:00 Closing advice for mid-career PMs navigating today's job market</p><p>Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. Access exclusive sessions from 100+ top product leaders at <a target="_blank" href="http://skip.coach">skip.coach</a>. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theskip.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">theskip.substack.com</a>