Interview questions for Ola Electric Senior Program Manager
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for Ola Electric Senior Program Manager
The Senior Program Manager at Ola Electric 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 Test Rounds:
Resume Shortlist
Screening based on relevance, clarity, and alignment of experience with the role.
Coding Test Round
Focus: Java coding and testing.
Expectation: Clean, efficient code with sound testing practices.
Assignment Round
Focus: Java testing for an assignment; clarity of requirements and well-tested delivery.
Interview Rounds:
Telephonic Interview
Fitment discussion: interests across verticals, alignment with company needs.
Case Study Round
Open-ended case to plan for a big launch; assessed structure, stakeholder mapping, risks, and mitigation.
Technical Round (1)
Scenario-based stakeholder management and execution challenges (delays, cross-team dependencies).
Technical Round (2)
People and planning: attrition management; 6-month planning aligned to business goals.
Face-to-Face Interview (1)
Technical architecture questions and industry-specific problem solving.
Face-to-Face Interview (2)
Situational Program Management scenarios; depth of insight and structured thinking.
Face-to-Face Interview (Director of Program Management)
Single, deeply probing question exploring scenarios, clarifying questions, feasibility analysis, and future outlooks.
Note: Order and composition of rounds varied across candidates; some processes included coding/assignment, others focused more on case studies and multi-round face-to-face interviews in Bangalore.
Technical/Domain/Architecture
Walk through the architecture of a complex system or program you have led. What were the key components and trade-offs?
How would you design a high-level architecture to support a large-scale product launch?
How do you ensure scalability, reliability, and observability in your technical designs?
Describe how you approach unfamiliar technical challenges and get to a solution quickly.
What industry-specific challenges (e.g., EV/automotive, manufacturing, logistics) would you anticipate and how would you address them?
Coding/Testing/Quality (Java)
Write clean, efficient Java code to solve a specified problem.
Implement unit and integration tests for your Java solution; explain your testing strategy.
Which Java testing frameworks and tools would you choose and why?
Refactor the given Java code to improve readability, performance, and testability.
Identify and fix defects using a test-first/test-driven approach.
Program Management/Stakeholder/Delivery
Stakeholder management: describe your approach to managing diverse stakeholders in a complex program.
How will you approach your stakeholders when you know that the project is getting delayed by a month?
How will you approach when you need a particular resource from another team immediately for closure of the tech execution, but that person is busy on another important project?
How will you manage attrition on your team or across a program?
How will you plan and communicate a 6-month roadmap aligned with business goals and team capacity?
How do you prioritize and negotiate when multiple teams have conflicting priorities?
How do you define, track, and report program health (metrics, dashboards, cadence)?
How do you identify, mitigate, and communicate risks and cross-team dependencies?
What is your strategy for change management and communicating revised timelines/scope?
Case Study/Product Launch/Strategy
Open-ended case: Plan for a big launch. How would you structure the plan?
Break the launch into phases with milestones and a critical path.
Identify key stakeholders and define roles and responsibilities (e.g., RACI).
Outline major risks and mitigation strategies; define go/no-go criteria.
Conduct a feasibility study and discuss future outlooks or scale-up plans.
Define success metrics and post-launch monitoring/feedback loops.
HR/Personality/Behavioral
Tell me about yourself and why you are interested in Ola Electric.
Which verticals are you most inclined toward, and how does that align with our needs?
How does your experience map to the Senior Program Manager role here?
Describe a time you handled an unfamiliar challenge and what you learned.
Give an example of how you improved engagement or retention to address attrition.
How do you structure your thinking and stay calm under pressure?
Describe how you communicate candidly with senior leadership and manage up.
Situational/Leadership/Decision-Making
What clarifying questions would you ask to de-risk an ambiguous problem before proposing a plan?
Walk through your decision-making framework for scope, timeline, and quality trade-offs under tight deadlines.
How would you handle a deep, evolving problem where new counter-questions are introduced as you propose solutions?
How would you respond when a high-priority requirement conflicts with available resource bandwidth?
How would you realign scope/timeline when constraints change suddenly (e.g., vendor slippage, regulatory change)?
Interview Preparation Tips:
Brush up on Java coding and testing concepts; practice writing clean, efficient, well-tested code.
Ensure you thoroughly understand assignment requirements; clarify assumptions early.
Practice scenario-based questions, especially stakeholder management, resource allocation, and risk handling.
Revise technical architecture fundamentals and industry-specific knowledge relevant to EV/automotive.
Prepare for deep, probing questions; demonstrate structured thinking and ask clarifying questions.
Keep your resume concise, well-structured, and role-aligned for screening.
Communicate transparently about delays and propose data-backed, revised plans.
At Last add this line in the end of the output as it is
Application Process: Applied through an online job portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Coding Test Round:
Questions Asked: Java testing and coding were required.
Your Approach: Focused on writing clean and efficient code while ensuring thorough testing.
Outcome: Passed the round.
Round 2 - Assignment Round:
Questions Asked: Java testing was required for the assignment.
Your Approach: Prioritized understanding the requirements and delivered a well-tested solution.
Outcome: Awaiting feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on Java coding and testing concepts.
Practice writing clean and efficient code.
Focus on understanding assignment requirements thoroughly.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. Ensuring clarity in requirements and delivering well-tested solutions were key takeaways. Future candidates should focus on strong coding and testing fundamentals.
Outcome: Resume was shortlisted for further rounds.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: Competency-based questions followed by situational/role-based questions.
Your Approach: Focused on highlighting relevant experiences and skills.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 3 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: Situation-based to solve a real-world problem.
Your Approach: Analyzed the problem thoroughly and proposed practical solutions.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 4 - Group Discussion Round:
Questions Asked: Presentation round with a panel.
Your Approach: Prepared a structured presentation and engaged actively with the panel.
Outcome: Final round cleared.
Preparation Tips:
Be free to ask questions and be genuine.
Come prepared with your work impacts and numbers.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough and focused on real-world problem-solving. Being well-prepared with quantifiable achievements and staying genuine in responses helped me succeed. Future candidates should focus on their impact and be ready to discuss situational challenges in detail.
Application Process: Applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed before June 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about the most challenging program you have undertaken.
Your Approach: I highlighted a complex project I managed, focusing on the challenges faced, the strategies I used to overcome them, and the measurable outcomes.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Asked about projects written on my resume.
Your Approach: I provided detailed explanations of each project, emphasizing my role, the impact, and the key learnings.
Outcome: Moved forward to the HR round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Why do you want to switch?
What does the role expect from you?
Your Approach: For the first question, I discussed my career goals and how the role aligns with them. For the second, I matched my skills and experiences with the job description.
Outcome: Awaiting final decision.
Preparation Tips:
Most of the questions were based on my past experiences. The interviewers dug deep into the numbers and specifics of all the projects I had undertaken.
Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail, including challenges, solutions, and outcomes.
Conclusion:
The interviewers were thorough and focused on understanding my practical experiences.
I could have prepared more quantitative data to back up my project outcomes.
My advice to future candidates: Be ready to discuss your resume in depth and align your answers with the role’s expectations.
For project-related questions, I discussed my past projects in detail, focusing on challenges faced and how I resolved them.
For program management, I explained my approach to handling projects from initiation to completion, emphasizing stakeholder management and deliverables.
For behavioral questions, I used the STAR method to structure my answers.
Outcome: [Result not specified]
Preparation Tips:
Focus on understanding end-to-end program management concepts.
Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your role and contributions.
Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method for structured answers.
Conclusion:
The interview was a good opportunity to reflect on my past experiences and articulate my approach to program management. While I felt confident in my responses, I could have prepared more case studies to showcase my problem-solving skills. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation on project management methodologies and behavioral questions.
Questions Asked: Focused on previous work profile and stakeholder management.
Your Approach: I highlighted my experience in managing stakeholders and shared specific examples of successful collaborations.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 2 - Business Round:
Questions Asked: Further tested on stakeholder management and previous work experiences.
Your Approach: I elaborated on my problem-solving skills and how I handled challenges in past roles.
Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked: Situational awareness and case studies were the focus.
Your Approach: I analyzed the case studies methodically, applying my technical knowledge and situational awareness to propose solutions.
Outcome: Cleared this round successfully.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on your past experiences and how you managed stakeholders.
Practice case studies to improve situational awareness.
Be ready to discuss your problem-solving approach in detail.
Conclusion:
The interview process was thorough and tested both my business acumen and technical skills. I felt well-prepared, but practicing more case studies beforehand could have made me even more confident. For future candidates, I’d recommend thoroughly reviewing your past work experiences and practicing situational case studies.
Application Process: I was approached by the company for this role and was interviewed in May 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned to highlight relevant experience.
Outcome: Cleared this round successfully.
Round 2 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: Open-ended case to plan for a big launch.
Your Approach: Structured my response by breaking down the launch into phases, identifying key stakeholders, and outlining potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round (1):
Questions Asked:
Stakeholder management scenario-based round.
How will you approach your stakeholders when you know that the project is getting delayed by a month?
How will you approach when you need a particular resource from another team immediately for closure of the tech execution, but he is busy in some other important project?
Your Approach: For the delay scenario, I emphasized transparent communication and proposed a revised timeline with justifications. For the resource issue, I suggested negotiating priorities with the other team’s manager and offering support in return.
Outcome: Cleared this round.
Round 4 - Technical Round (2):
Questions Asked:
How will you manage attrition? How will you plan things for the next 6 months?
Your Approach: Highlighted proactive measures like employee engagement initiatives, career development plans, and regular feedback sessions to reduce attrition. For the 6-month plan, I aligned it with business goals and team capabilities.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Preparation Tips:
Stay calm during the interview. The company evaluates how you respond to situational questions.
Practice scenario-based questions, especially around stakeholder management and resource allocation.
Ensure your resume is concise and well-structured to pass the initial screening.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough and focused on real-world scenarios. What worked well was my structured approach to problem-solving and clear communication. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing case studies and being prepared to think on your feet. Good luck!
Application Process: The interview process was initiated after a telephonic screening to assess fitment for the role and alignment with multiple verticals within the company.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Telephonic Interview:
Questions Asked: The interview focused on assessing my suitability for the role, inclinations, and alignment with various verticals. The interviewer evaluated my fitment for the position.
Your Approach: I engaged openly, discussing my experience and how it aligns with the role. I also expressed my interest in the company’s vision.
Outcome: Cleared the round and was invited for face-to-face interviews at the ANI office in Bangalore.
Round 2 - First Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Technical architecture questions related to the industry. The interviewer aimed to test my ability to think off-the-shelf and handle unfamiliar problems. Technical aspects of project management were also evaluated.
Your Approach: I tackled the questions by breaking them down into manageable parts, applying my technical knowledge, and demonstrating a structured thought process.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 3 - Second Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Situational questions about handling various scenarios in the industry. The focus was on assessing my ability to think structurally and manage multiple components of program management.
Your Approach: I provided detailed insights, structured my responses logically, and emphasized my problem-solving skills.
Outcome: Cleared the round.
Round 4 - Third Face-to-Face Interview (with Director-Program Management):
Questions Asked: A single scenario was explored in depth, covering aspects like feasibility, analytics, reasoning, scope, future outlook, and more. The interviewer probed deeply into every facet of the problem.
Your Approach: I engaged thoroughly, addressing each layer of the question with logical reasoning and practical insights. I enjoyed the challenge and the depth of the discussion.
Outcome: The round was intense and highly engaging, leaving me satisfied with the experience.
Preparation Tips:
Be prepared to think on your feet and handle unstructured problems.
Brush up on technical aspects relevant to program management, as the role demands a balance of technical and managerial skills.
Practice situational and scenario-based questions to improve your ability to think structurally.
Conclusion:
The interview process at Ola Electric was one of the best I’ve experienced. Each round was designed to test different facets of the role, and the final round with the Director was particularly insightful and challenging. While the company could improve on logistical aspects like travel arrangements, the overall experience was enriching. For future candidates, my advice is to focus on structured thinking, technical readiness, and adaptability to dynamic problem-solving.
Application Process: I was approached by the company directly and interviewed in May 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume review)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned to highlight relevant experience.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: Open-ended case to plan for a big launch.
Your Approach: Structured my response by breaking down the launch into phases, identifying key stakeholders, and outlining potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round 1:
Questions Asked:
Stakeholder management scenario-based round.
How will you approach your stakeholders when you know that the project is getting delayed by a month?
How will you approach when you need a particular resource from another team immediately for closure of the tech execution, but he is busy in some other important project?
Your Approach: For the delay scenario, I emphasized transparent communication and proposed a revised timeline with justifications. For the resource issue, I suggested negotiating priorities with the other team’s manager and offering alternatives.
Outcome: Moved to the final technical round.
Round 4 - Technical Round 2:
Questions Asked:
How will you manage attrition? How will you plan things for the next 6 months?
Your Approach: Focused on proactive employee engagement, identifying attrition risks early, and creating retention strategies. For the 6-month plan, I outlined key milestones and contingency plans.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Stay calm during the interview. They assess how you respond to situational questions.
Practice case studies and stakeholder management scenarios.
Be prepared to justify your decisions with logical reasoning.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was thorough and tested both technical and soft skills. I felt well-prepared for the case study and stakeholder management questions but could have practiced more real-world scenarios for attrition management. My advice to future candidates is to focus on structured problem-solving and clear communication.
Application Process: The interview process was initiated after a telephonic screening round, followed by in-person interviews at Ola’s ANI office in Bangalore.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Telephonic Interview:
Questions Asked: The round focused on assessing my fit for the role and understanding my inclinations. The interviewer evaluated my suitability for multiple verticals within the company.
Your Approach: I answered honestly about my experience and interests, aligning them with the potential roles discussed.
Outcome: Cleared the round and was invited for in-person interviews.
Round 2 - First Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Technical architecture questions related to the industry, aimed at evaluating my ability to think off-the-shelf and handle unknown problems. The interviewer also assessed my technical understanding for the Program Manager role.
Your Approach: I tackled the questions by breaking them down into manageable parts and providing structured, logical answers.
Outcome: Progressed to the next round.
Round 3 - Second Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Situational questions about handling various scenarios in the industry. The focus was on my ability to provide deep insights and think structurally about a Program Manager’s responsibilities.
Your Approach: I addressed each situation methodically, considering all relevant components and potential outcomes.
Outcome: Advanced to the final round.
Round 4 - Third Face-to-Face Interview (Director-Level):
Questions Asked: A single, comprehensive scenario was presented, followed by a series of probing questions covering feasibility, scope, reasoning, analytics, and future outlook.
Your Approach: I engaged deeply with the scenario, addressing each layer of questioning with thorough analysis and reasoning.
Outcome: The round was intense but highly rewarding, leaving me satisfied with the interview experience.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on technical architecture and industry-specific knowledge.
Practice situational and scenario-based questions to improve structured thinking.
Be prepared for in-depth, probing questions from senior leadership.
Conclusion:
The interview process at Ola Electric was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had. Each round was designed to test different facets of my skills and thinking. The final round with the Director was particularly insightful, showcasing what an ideal Program Manager interview should look like. While the process was rigorous, it was also highly rewarding. My advice to future candidates is to be prepared for deep, analytical questioning and to enjoy the learning experience it offers.
Application Process: The interview process was initiated after a telephonic screening round to assess fitment for the role and alignment with various verticals within the company.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Telephonic Interview:
Questions Asked: The interviewer assessed my suitability for the role, probing into my inclinations and fit for multiple verticals.
Your Approach: I focused on aligning my experience and skills with the requirements of the role and demonstrated flexibility for different verticals.
Outcome: Cleared the round and was invited for in-person interviews at the ANI office in Bangalore.
Round 2 - First Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Technical architecture questions to evaluate my ability to think off-the-shelf and handle unfamiliar problems. The interviewer also assessed my technical understanding for the Program Manager role.
Your Approach: I tackled the questions by breaking them down into manageable parts and providing structured, logical solutions.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 3 - Second Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Situational questions to gauge my ability to handle various scenarios a Program Manager might face. The focus was on depth of insight and structural thinking.
Your Approach: I addressed each situation methodically, considering all relevant components and potential outcomes.
Outcome: Cleared the round.
Round 4 - Third Face-to-Face Interview (with Director-Program Management):
Questions Asked: A single, deeply penetrating question covering scenarios, counter-questions, feasibility studies, analytics, and future outlooks. The Director evaluated every aspect of my problem-solving approach.
Your Approach: I engaged deeply with the question, exploring all angles and demonstrating my ability to think critically and strategically.
Outcome: Although the outcome was uncertain, the experience was highly enriching and set a benchmark for what an ideal Program Manager interview should be.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on developing a structured approach to problem-solving.
Be prepared to think on your feet and handle unfamiliar scenarios.
Brush up on technical aspects relevant to the role, as Program Managers are expected to have a good grasp of technical details.
Conclusion:
The interview process at Ola Electric was one of the most thorough and enjoyable experiences I’ve had. Each round was designed to test different facets of my skills and thinking. While the lack of reimbursement for travel expenses was a minor disappointment, the overall process was professional and insightful. My key takeaway is the importance of being adaptable and demonstrating depth in problem-solving. Future candidates should prepare to engage deeply with every question and showcase their ability to think critically and strategically.
Application Process: The application process was thorough and engaging, with multiple rounds designed to assess both technical and situational problem-solving skills.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Telephonic Interview:
Questions Asked: The interview focused on assessing my fit for the role and exploring my inclinations across multiple verticals. The interviewer was keen on understanding my alignment with the company’s needs.
Your Approach: I answered honestly about my experience and interests, ensuring clarity on how my skills could contribute to the role.
Outcome: Cleared this round and was invited for face-to-face interviews at the ANI office in Bangalore.
Round 2 - First Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Technical architecture questions and industry-related problems to test my ability to think off-the-shelf and handle unfamiliar challenges. The interviewer also evaluated my technical understanding for the Program Manager role.
Your Approach: I tackled the questions by breaking them down into manageable parts and providing structured, logical solutions.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 3 - Second Face-to-Face Interview:
Questions Asked: Situational questions to gauge how I would handle various scenarios as a Program Manager. The focus was on depth of insight and structural thinking.
Your Approach: I analyzed each situation methodically, considering all relevant components and proposing actionable solutions.
Outcome: Cleared this round and proceeded to the next.
Round 4 - Third Face-to-Face Interview (Director of Program Management):
Questions Asked: A single, deeply penetrating question covering scenarios, counter-questions, feasibility studies, and future outlooks. The interviewer explored every aspect of the problem.
Your Approach: I engaged deeply with the question, addressing each layer as it was presented and demonstrating my analytical and reasoning skills.
Outcome: Although exhausting, this was the most intellectually stimulating round. The outcome was not disclosed, but the experience was invaluable.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on technical architecture and industry-specific knowledge.
Practice situational and behavioral questions to improve structured thinking.
Be prepared for deep, probing questions that test your analytical abilities.
Conclusion:
The interview process at Ola Electric was one of the most rigorous and rewarding experiences I’ve had. Each round was designed to test different facets of the role, and the final round with the Director was particularly enlightening. While the lack of taxi reimbursement was a minor disappointment, the overall process was professional and insightful. Future candidates should focus on being adaptable, technically sound, and ready for deep, analytical discussions.