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Microsoft·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

Senior
Apr 2026

Summary

Microsoft PM interview with a single product design question focused on accessibility and inclusive UX for flight booking. Pretty open-ended, which I both appreciated and found stressful in the moment.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design the end-to-end experience for elderly users booking and traveling through flights.

Product Sense & IdeationProduct StrategyAdaptability & Ambiguity
Author's notes

I jumped straight into pain points for elderly users and started listing accessibility stuff like large fonts and voice assistance, but the interviewer kept nudging me toward the actual journey.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the scope and defining the target user segment (e.g., elderly with varying tech-savviness and mobility). Then map the end-to-end journey from inspiration to post-flight, identifying pain points and opportunities at each stage, and prioritize solutions based on impact and feasibility. Finally, propose a cohesive experience that leverages Microsoft's strengths in accessibility, AI, and ecosystem integration.

Pro tip: Anchor your answer in universal design principles—solutions for elderly users often benefit all users, which strengthens the business case. Also, mention specific Microsoft assets like Azure AI, Microsoft Account, and accessibility features to show company fit.

1. Clarify scope and user needs

Ask clarifying questions about the elderly segment (age range, tech proficiency, travel companions, budget) and define the end-to-end journey boundaries (e.g., from search to post-flight).

2. Map the current journey and pain points

Walk through each stage: inspiration/research, booking, pre-flight prep, airport experience, in-flight, and post-flight. Identify physical, cognitive, and emotional pain points for elderly users.

3. Ideate solutions and prioritize

Brainstorm potential features and services for each pain point, then prioritize using a framework like RICE or impact/effort, considering Microsoft's capabilities.

4. Design the end-to-end experience

Propose a cohesive experience that integrates prioritized solutions, ensuring seamless transitions between stages and leveraging Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., Cortana, Azure, accessibility tools).

5. Define success metrics and iterate

Outline key metrics (e.g., booking completion rate, satisfaction scores, support calls) and a plan for testing and iteration with elderly users.

Key Points to Mention

  • Accessibility features: large fonts, voice interfaces, high contrast, simplified navigation
  • Assisted booking: human chat/phone support, AI-powered virtual assistant with escalation to human
  • Proactive notifications and reminders: check-in, gate changes, boarding times via multiple channels (SMS, email, app)
  • Seamless airport experience: wheelchair assistance integration, biometric boarding, wayfinding in terminals
  • In-flight comfort: seat selection preferences, meal pre-ordering, entertainment with easy controls
  • Post-flight support: baggage tracking, ride-sharing integration, follow-up surveys

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.