Interview questions for ICICI Securities Distribution Product Manager
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for ICICI Securities Distribution Product Manager
The Distribution Product Manager at ICICI Securities involves a multi-stage assessment and interview process, designed to evaluate both technical skills and business proficiency. Below is a summary of the process and key points from the interviews you provided:
Assessment and Interview Process (consolidated from multiple experiences)
Resume Shortlist: Applications were submitted via campus placement, company website, and Naukri.com. Shortlisting was based on relevant experience and a clear, error-free resume.
Technical/One-on-one Interviews: Covered Agile/Scrum practices, SQL fundamentals (especially joins), and mutual fund operations/sales.
Case Study Round: Scenario-based exercise to optimize a product distribution process using Agile principles; candidates were expected to break down tasks, prioritize, and propose iterative improvements.
HR Interview: Focused on motivation for ICICI Securities, long-term career goals, and conflict management.
Product Management, Agile and Scrum
Explain the role of a Scrum Master.
How do you handle sprint planning? Walk through your process.
Case: How would you optimize a product distribution process using Agile principles?
How would you break down, prioritize, and iterate on tasks in a distribution optimization project?
SQL / Analytics
Explain different types of SQL joins with examples (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL).
Financial Domain: Mutual Funds and Distribution
Explain mutual fund operations.
Explain the sales process for mutual funds.
Discuss regulatory aspects and operational workflows in mutual funds.
HR / Personality / Experience
Why do you want to join ICICI Securities?
What are your career goals?
How do you handle team conflicts? Share an example.
What were your roles and responsibilities in your previous roles?
Interview Preparation Tips
Brush up on Agile and Scrum frameworks with real-world examples (Scrum roles, ceremonies, sprint planning, prioritization).
Practice product management case studies, especially around distribution/channel optimization and iterative delivery.
Revise core SQL concepts, particularly joins, and be ready with practical examples.
Strengthen your understanding of mutual funds (operations, sales processes, regulations); NISM 5A certification is highly recommended.
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in detail, focusing on outcomes and conflict resolution.
Communicate clearly and confidently; be open to learning and new challenges.
Role clarity: If you come from BA/QE backgrounds, confirm the scope of “Product” roles to ensure alignment with your expectations (some roles may be ticket-heavy).
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Application Process: Applied through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked: Questions focused on Agile and Scrum methodologies, such as “Explain the role of a Scrum Master” and “How do you handle sprint planning?”
Your Approach: I emphasized my hands-on experience with Scrum, providing examples from past projects to demonstrate my understanding and practical application.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - Case Study:
Questions Asked: Presented with a scenario to optimize a product distribution process using Agile principles.
Your Approach: I broke down the problem into smaller tasks, prioritized them, and suggested iterative improvements while aligning with Agile practices.
Outcome: Successfully advanced to the final round.
Round 3 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked: Discussed my motivation for joining ICICI Securities, career goals, and how I handle team conflicts.
Your Approach: I was honest about my aspirations and shared anecdotes of resolving conflicts in previous roles.
Outcome: Selected as the only candidate out of 10 interviewees.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on Agile and Scrum frameworks, especially real-world applications.
Practice case studies related to product management and distribution.
Be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail.
Conclusion:
The interview was challenging but rewarding. My practical knowledge of Scrum and Agile gave me an edge. For future candidates, I’d advise focusing on real-world examples and staying confident throughout the process.
Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: Resume-based screening.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was crisp and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Mutual fund operations and sales.
Your Approach: Explained my understanding of mutual fund operations and sales processes, drawing from prior experience and knowledge.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Mutual funds operations.
Your Approach: Provided detailed insights into mutual fund operations, including key processes and regulations.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
NISM 5A certification is a must.
Basic understanding of mutual funds is essential.
Focus on good communication skills.
Be prepared to take up new challenges and learn continuously.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and focused on mutual fund operations and sales. Ensuring a well-structured resume and thorough preparation on mutual fund basics helped me perform well. For future candidates, I recommend obtaining the NISM certification and brushing up on mutual fund operations to ace the interview.
I introduced myself, highlighting my educational background, relevant skills, and experience that align with the role. I also mentioned my enthusiasm for the financial sector and how it motivates me.
Outcome:
Successfully cleared the round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
What are the 5 P’s of marketing?
Your Approach:
I explained the 5 P’s (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People) and related them to the financial products and services offered by ICICI Securities. I also gave examples of how these principles could be applied in the context of distribution and client acquisition.
Outcome:
Cleared the round and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on basic marketing concepts, especially the 5 P’s of marketing.
Understand the financial products and services offered by ICICI Securities to relate your answers to the company’s context.
Practice structuring your responses clearly and concisely.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. The HR round was conversational, while the technical round tested my understanding of marketing principles in a financial context. I felt prepared, but I could have researched more about ICICI Securities’ specific product offerings to tailor my answers better. My advice to future candidates is to focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical applications relevant to the role.
Application Process: I applied via the company website and was interviewed in September 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Questions Asked: None explicitly mentioned.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was error-free and highlighted relevant experience.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Joins in SQL with example.
What were your roles and responsibilities in previous roles?
Your Approach: Prepared SQL concepts thoroughly and practiced explaining my past responsibilities clearly.
Outcome: [Not specified]
Preparation Tips:
If you are currently working as a Business Analyst or QE, be cautious about roles with “Product” in the title, as they might involve working on tickets (like technical support).
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, focusing on technical skills and past experiences. Ensure your resume is polished and be ready to discuss SQL and your previous roles in detail.
Application Process: I applied through a job portal and was interviewed in March 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Questions about shares.
Questions about SQL.
Your Approach: I prepared by revising key concepts related to shares and SQL queries, ensuring I could explain them clearly.
Outcome: Passed this round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Questions about my previous experience.
Your Approach: I highlighted relevant experiences and projects, linking them to the role’s requirements.
Outcome: Passed this round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
My goals and reasons for changing jobs.
Your Approach: I was honest about my career aspirations and how this role aligns with them.
Outcome: Passed this round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on technical topics like shares and SQL.
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in detail.
Clearly articulate your career goals and reasons for applying.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. I focused on being clear and concise in my answers, which helped. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation on technical and behavioral aspects, as both are equally important.
Application Process: Applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed in January 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned to highlight relevant skills and experience.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Assignment:
Questions Asked: SQL Assignment based on a schema provided by them.
Your Approach: Focused on writing efficient queries and understanding the schema thoroughly.
Outcome: Cleared the assignment round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Generic questions around motivation to join the company.
Questions around compensation and negotiation.
Your Approach: Prepared answers to showcase my enthusiasm for the role and researched industry standards for compensation.
Outcome: Successfully navigated the HR round.
Preparation Tips:
Sound knowledge of financial markets and trading is essential.
Proficiency in SQL is a must for the technical round.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. Ensuring my resume was polished and practicing SQL queries beforehand were key to my success. For future candidates, I’d recommend brushing up on financial market concepts and being confident in SQL.
Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. The focus was on reviewing the resume.
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was concise and highlighted relevant experience and skills.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Mutual fund operations and sales.
Your Approach: Prepared by revising key concepts related to mutual funds and their operations. Focused on explaining the sales process clearly.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Mutual funds operations.
Your Approach: Delved deeper into the technical aspects of mutual funds, including regulations and operational workflows.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Preparation Tips:
NISM 5A certification is a must.
Have a basic understanding of mutual funds.
Develop good communication skills.
Be willing to take up new challenges and learn continuously.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and focused on both technical and operational aspects of mutual funds. Preparing thoroughly for NISM and brushing up on mutual fund operations helped a lot. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on these areas and ensuring clarity in communication during the interview.