Interview questions for Urban Company Category Manager
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for Urban Company Category Manager
The Category Manager at Urban Company 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:
Technical/Domain: Business Model & Category Management
What is Urban Company’s business model? How does it create value for customers and service partners?
Guesstimates & Market Sizing
Estimate the number of cars in Bangalore. Walk through your assumptions and approach.
Tackle general market-sizing/guesstimate problems relevant to Urban Company services (state your framework and validate assumptions).
Operations & Manpower Planning (Quantitative)
Given a target of completing N jobs within T hours/days, calculate the number of service partners required (time–work–manpower planning).
Manpower planning-related problems (capacity and shift planning; aligning supply with demand under practical constraints).
Case Studies & Situation-Based Problem-Solving
Work through a case study focused on category operations/problem-solving; explain your structured approach and recommendations.
Respond to situation-based scenarios relevant to Urban Company’s operations; articulate decisions, trade-offs, and impact.
HR/Background/Behavioral
Walk me through your education (including 10th standard) and explain any study gaps.
Provide honest explanations for any gaps or transitions in your resume.
Culture & Work Expectations
Are you willing to work 24/7 and handle demanding schedules on tight compensation?
If the transcript contains the interview process or tips, summarize them as shown below:
Assessment Test Rounds
No separate assessment test was explicitly mentioned across the shared experiences.
Interview Rounds
Round 1: Resume Shortlist
Emphasis on a professional, crisp resume highlighting relevant skills and experience.
Round 2: Telephonic/Screening
Focused on education background (including 10th standard) and explaining any study gaps; honesty was emphasized.
Round 3: Technical/One-on-One
Guesstimates (e.g., cars in Bangalore), problem-solving, and manpower planning questions; evaluate logical structuring, assumptions, and math.
Round 4: One-on-One (Advanced)
Continued guesstimates, Urban Company’s business model discussion, and situation-based scenarios/case studies; alignment with UC’s operational realities expected.
Additional Observation (from one experience)
A later round included strong emphasis on willingness to work 24/7 with low salary expectations; candidates should clarify role expectations and boundaries professionally.
Interview Preparation Tips
Keep calm and composed; listen carefully and avoid overselling yourself.
Practice guesstimates: use clear structures, state assumptions, and sanity-check results.
Brush up time–work–manpower planning math (capacity sizing, shift planning, throughput).
Understand Urban Company’s business model thoroughly; tailor preparation to the JD and the category’s operational needs.
Practice case studies and situation-based questions; communicate your framework before diving into calculations.
Be honest about education history and gaps; clarity is valued.
Assess culture/expectations: proactively ask about work hours, bandwidth, and compensation if not clarified.
If you have attended the process from your campus, pls share your experiences here; Please follow [guidelines](https://discuss.boardinfinity.com/t/interview-transcript-guidelines/22428?u=abhay-gupta-ebaf4123)
Application Process: I applied through the company website and was interviewed before September 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: (No specific questions mentioned)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was professional and highlighted relevant skills.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Telephonic Call:
Questions Asked:
About college and 10th standards and study gap.
Honest response should be given.
Your Approach: Answered honestly and clearly about my educational background and any gaps.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Guesstimate questions, estimate the number of cars in Bangalore.
(No specific question mentioned, advised to check online for best response.)
Your Approach: Used logical reasoning and assumptions to estimate the number of cars.
Outcome: (Not specified)
Preparation Tips:
Keep calm and stay composed during the interview.
Avoid overselling yourself.
Listen carefully to all questions before answering.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and I learned the importance of honesty and clarity in responses. For future candidates, I recommend preparing for guesstimate questions and ensuring your resume is professional.
Application Process: I was approached by the company directly for this role and interviewed before April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: The round primarily focused on a case study and guesstimate questions.
Your Approach: I tackled the case study by breaking down the problem into smaller, manageable parts and used logical assumptions for the guesstimate.
Outcome: I successfully passed this round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Market sizing questions.
Category creation.
Your Approach: For market sizing, I used a top-down approach to estimate the market size. For category creation, I discussed the steps involved in identifying and launching a new category.
Outcome: The interviewers seemed satisfied with my responses.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on case study frameworks and guesstimate techniques.
Practice market sizing questions using real-world examples.
Understand the nuances of category management, especially in the context of e-commerce and service delivery.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and engaging. The case study round tested my problem-solving skills, while the one-on-one round focused on my understanding of market dynamics and category management. I would advise future candidates to focus on structured thinking and practical examples when preparing for such roles.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed before May 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: None (resume screening round).
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:
Guesstimates and behavioral questions.
“Number of tyres on the road in Bangalore city now.”
“Why do you want to join Urban Company?”
Your Approach: Used logical reasoning for the guesstimate and linked my career goals to Urban Company’s mission for the behavioral question.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Guesstimate and behavioral questions.
“Why would people use our services?”
Your Approach: Analyzed the market needs and Urban Company’s unique value proposition to answer the question.
Outcome: Moved forward in the process.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Guesstimate and team handling questions.
“How would you maintain team morale?”
Your Approach: Shared practical strategies for team motivation and cohesion.
Outcome: Final decision pending.
Preparation Tips:
Be strong with numbers and practice guesstimates.
Work on team handling and behavioral skills.
Conclusion:
The interview process was thorough and focused on problem-solving, behavioral fit, and team management. I felt well-prepared for the guesstimates but could have practiced more behavioral scenarios. My advice to future candidates is to focus on logical reasoning and aligning your answers with the company’s vision.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed before January 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant experience.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round (1st):
Questions Asked: “If you are to start a men’s grooming category in Gurgaon, then how many partners will you start with?”
Your Approach: Focused on breaking down the problem logically, considering factors like demand, competition, and operational feasibility.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round (2nd):
Questions Asked: “If you are to plan an airport at Delhi, then how many runways should it have?”
Your Approach: Used a structured approach, analyzing factors like passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and future growth projections.
Outcome: Progressed to the final round.
Round 4 - Coding Test:
Questions Asked: Basic expectations from the job (details not specified).
Your Approach: Prepared by reviewing fundamental concepts relevant to the role.
Outcome: Final evaluation pending.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on mastering guesstimates. The final answer isn’t as important as the logical reasoning used to arrive at it.
Brush up on analytical and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion:
The interview process was challenging but insightful. The emphasis was on logical reasoning and structured thinking rather than exact answers. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing guesstimates and ensuring clarity in thought processes during problem-solving.
Application Process: The application process involved submitting a resume, which was shortlisted for further rounds.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. The focus was on reviewing the resume for alignment and formatting.
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was well-structured and clearly highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
“What does a manager do?”
Your Approach: Answered by explaining the core responsibilities of a manager, including team leadership, decision-making, and goal alignment.
Outcome: Progressed to the next round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
“What would you do if your customer did not come back to the platform?”
Your Approach: Discussed strategies like analyzing feedback, improving service quality, and implementing retention initiatives.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Be yourself and confident during the interview.
Ensure you are well-rested before the interview day.
Highlight skills like business management, customer experience, communication, and stakeholder management in your responses.
Conclusion:
The interview process was structured and focused on both technical and behavioral aspects. Being confident and well-prepared helped in navigating the rounds smoothly. For future candidates, focusing on clarity in communication and aligning answers with the role’s requirements is key.
Application Process: The application process began with a resume shortlist round, followed by a one-on-one interview.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. The focus was on reviewing the resume for professionalism and relevance to the role.
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was well-structured, professional, and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:
Questions Asked:
Live Excel problems on VLOOKUP and SUMIF.
“How will you promote your category to professionals?”
Your Approach:
For the Excel problems, practiced beforehand and ensured familiarity with the functions.
For the promotion question, structured the answer around targeted marketing strategies, leveraging digital tools, and building partnerships.
Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with the responses, but the final outcome is pending.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on Excel functions like VLOOKUP and SUMIF, as they are commonly tested.
Think about practical ways to promote a category, focusing on creativity and strategic planning.
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward but required a good grasp of both technical skills (Excel) and strategic thinking (category promotion). Preparing well for these aspects can make a significant difference. If given another chance, I would practice more live Excel scenarios to ensure smoother execution during the interview.
Application Process: Applied via LinkedIn in August 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was crisp and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Interview:
Questions Asked:
Guesstimates and manpower planning-related problems.
Urban Company’s business model.
Your Approach: Used logical reasoning for guesstimates and researched Urban Company’s business model beforehand.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Interview:
Questions Asked:
Similar guesstimates and business model questions, along with situation-based scenarios.
Your Approach: Applied problem-solving skills and aligned answers with the company’s operational needs.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on basic problems related to time, work, and manpower planning (e.g., calculating manpower needed for a given number of jobs in a specific timeframe).
Understand Urban Company’s business model thoroughly.
Tailor your preparation according to the job description.
Conclusion:
The interview process was structured and focused on problem-solving and business acumen. Preparing for guesstimates and understanding the company’s operations were key. I recommend researching the company deeply and practicing situational questions to perform well.
Application Process: [Application process details not provided]
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was error-free and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: “Please introduce yourself.”
Your Approach: Provided a concise introduction focusing on professional background and key achievements.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: “Business model understanding of Urban Company.”
Your Approach: Explained the business model clearly, highlighting key aspects like operations, revenue streams, and customer segments.
Outcome: Progressed to the final round.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: “Possible challenges one can face in this role.”
Your Approach: Discussed potential challenges such as stakeholder management, supply chain issues, and customer experience, along with mitigation strategies.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Be confident while giving answers.
Prepare a few questions around SQL and other relevant skills.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were focused on understanding the role and the candidate’s fit. Being well-prepared about the company’s business model and potential challenges helped in answering confidently. For future candidates, I recommend thorough research about the company and practicing clear communication.
Application Process: Resume shortlisting followed by interview rounds.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume-based shortlisting)
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was well-formatted and aligned to make it easy for the recruiter to read. Highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:
Questions Asked:
Guestimates in all 3 rounds.
If you are to plan an airport in Delhi, how many runways will that have?
Your Approach: For the guesstimates, used logical reasoning and structured thinking to break down the problem. For the airport runway question, considered factors like passenger traffic, existing infrastructure, and future growth projections.
Outcome: Provided detailed answers and engaged in a productive discussion with the interviewer.
Preparation Tips:
Practice guesstimates and case studies to improve problem-solving skills.
Research industry-specific insights and trends relevant to the role.
Ensure your resume is clean, concise, and highlights key achievements.
Conclusion:
The interview process was insightful, and the questions tested both analytical and strategic thinking. Preparing for guesstimates and case studies beforehand was beneficial. Future candidates should focus on structuring their thoughts clearly and staying updated with industry trends.
Application Process: I applied for the role through a referral and was interviewed before June 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
How would you launch a salon business in Bangalore?
How would you manage quality?
Your Approach:
For the first question, I discussed the importance of market research, identifying target demographics, and creating a unique value proposition for the salon. I also talked about leveraging digital marketing and partnerships with local influencers to build brand awareness.
For the second question, I emphasized the need for standardized operating procedures, regular training for staff, and customer feedback mechanisms to ensure consistent quality.
Outcome: The interview went well, and I received positive feedback on my structured approach to problem-solving.
Top Skills Recommended for Urban Company Category Manager Interview:
Business Transformation
Health Insurance
Mobile Applications
Banking
Consumer Insights
Sales
Service Industry
Strategic Thinking
Preparation Tips:
Focus on case studies related to business launches and quality management.
Practice structuring your answers to demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was a great learning experience. I realized the importance of being clear and concise in my responses while showcasing my ability to think critically. For future candidates, I’d recommend thoroughly researching the company’s business model and preparing for scenario-based questions.
Application Process: Applied via the company website in January 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: Resume screening to shortlist candidates.
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was concise, relevant, and free of unnecessary details like photos or personal information.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round 1:
Questions Asked: Guesstimates.
Your Approach: Prepared by practicing common guesstimate problems and structured answers logically.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - Technical Round 2:
Questions Asked: Situational-based questions and another guesstimate.
Your Approach: Focused on problem-solving frameworks and clear communication.
Outcome: Cleared this round successfully.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: Discussion with the Senior Vice President; general situational and behavioral questions.
Your Approach: Stayed composed, confident, and aligned responses with the role’s requirements.
Outcome: Final round completed.
Preparation Tips:
Be authentic and avoid overselling yourself.
Keep your resume updated and relevant.
Stay prepared for challenges and demonstrate a willingness to learn.
Conclusion:
The interview process was structured and tested both technical and situational problem-solving skills. Staying calm and confident, especially in the final round, was key. Practicing guesstimates and situational questions beforehand would be highly beneficial for future candidates.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked:
Guesstimation question and logical reasoning.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Your Approach:
For the guesstimation question, I broke it down logically and explained my thought process step-by-step.
For the “Tell me about yourself” question, I kept it concise, focusing on my professional background and why I was interested in the role.
Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with my responses.
Preparation Tips:
Be confident and back your answers with logical reasoning.
Practice guesstimation and logical reasoning questions beforehand.
Prepare a crisp and clear introduction for the “Tell me about yourself” question.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. I felt confident during the one-on-one round, and my preparation paid off. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on logical reasoning and being clear and concise in your responses.
Application Process: Applied through an online application process.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked:
How many ACs would be there in Noida?
Questions about population, calculating the middle class, etc.
Your Approach:
For the AC question, I estimated the number of households in Noida and assumed a penetration rate for ACs.
For the population-related question, I broke it down into demographics and income distribution to estimate the middle-class segment.
Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with my logical approach and estimation skills.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on estimation techniques and market sizing.
Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.
Be ready to justify your assumptions with logical reasoning.
Conclusion:
The interview was a great learning experience, especially in terms of problem-solving and estimation. I could have prepared more by researching the company’s market segments beforehand. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing case studies and being comfortable with making reasonable assumptions on the spot.
Application Process: I applied for the position through Naukri.com and was interviewed in January 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: The round included guesstimates, problem-solving, and case studies.
Your Approach: I tackled the guesstimates by breaking them down into manageable parts and used logical reasoning for problem-solving. For case studies, I focused on structured thinking and clear communication.
Outcome: I passed this round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: Similar to the first round, this also involved guesstimates, problem-solving, and case studies.
Your Approach: I refined my approach based on feedback from the first round, ensuring clarity and precision in my answers.
Outcome: I advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: The interviewer had a negative demeanor and emphasized the need for someone willing to work 24/7 for a low salary.
Your Approach: I tried to stay professional and address the questions, but the interviewer’s attitude was discouraging.
Outcome: The round did not go well due to the interviewer’s unrealistic expectations.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was challenging, especially the third round, where the interviewer’s expectations seemed unreasonable. My advice for future candidates is to prepare thoroughly for guesstimates and case studies, but also be cautious about the company’s work culture and expectations.