Building Communities on Netflix: A Product Management Case Interview Breakdown

Building Communities on Netflix: A Product Management Case Interview

Product management interviews often test your ability to approach open-ended, ambiguous challenges. In this mock case, the candidate is presented with a creative and forward-thinking case by the interviewer, our mentor Sanket Vaidya : “How would you build a community feature for Netflix?”

What follows is a structured, spontaneous attempt to envision what community on a streaming platform could look like, followed with Sanket’s feedback.

The Interview Conversation

Sanket: Let me give you a quick use case to solve. Let’s say Netflix wants to create a community product on top of what they currently offer. As a Product Manager, how would you go about building it?

Student: Okay. So, Netflix wants to build a community-based feature. Interesting.

Student: One idea that comes to mind is enabling users to watch shows or movies together remotely. For example, if friends or family are in different cities, they could join a shared watch party — watching the same show at the same time and even chatting or talking while it plays.

Sanket: Okay, okay. Go on.

Student: Beyond the watch-along feature, I think Netflix can create interest-based communities. For instance, people who love thrillers, rom-coms, or documentaries can join dedicated spaces where they share reviews, discuss favorite characters, or even suggest hidden gems others might’ve missed.

This comes from personal experience — and what I’ve seen with friends. A lot of times, we waste a lot of time trying to decide what to watch. We rely on Google or random YouTube reviews, which often don’t align with our mood or interests.

So instead of going outside the platform, Netflix could provide a space where users review and recommend shows — almost like Reddit threads or community polls — but tailored to Netflix content. These community discussions could help users find shows that truly match their taste and emotional state.

That would not only reduce content discovery friction, but also increase time spent on the platform, because people will enjoy engaging with others who have similar viewing preferences.

Sanket: What else? How would you figure out whether this is good for Netflix business?

Student: Umm…I think I should have first looked at it from a business perspective.

Sanket’s Case Feedback: The Role of Frameworks

While the ideas presented were relevant and thoughtful, the follow-up feedback from Sanket brought in an essential product management insight — the importance of structure in your case responses.

Sanket: Your solution to the Netflix communities one was good. But it lacked structure. There’s a framework called CIRCLES — just Google it. It’s a very useful method to answer product case questions.

Student: Okay.

Sanket: You came up with good solutions quickly — that’s because you’re familiar with both Netflix and the concept of communities. But what if I’d given you a problem outside your comfort zone? You would’ve struggled. That’s where frameworks help you stay grounded.

Start by asking:

Why is Netflix interested in this idea?
What does “community” mean in this context?
What business goal are they trying to achieve?

Then, build user personas. Once you have 2–3 personas, pick one and list their key pain points. Select one problem to focus on. Then generate 3–4 solution ideas to address that specific pain point.

Next, prioritize two or three of those as your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) features. Then, summarize the entire recommendation.

This is how the CIRCLES framework guides your thinking — and it’s applicable to almost any product design or strategy question.

Student:Yes, that makes sense.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring PMs

This mock case and its feedback illustrate two crucial lessons:

Customer insight matters — Real user problems (like content discovery fatigue) are often where great features begin.
Structured thinking wins — Even the best ideas fall flat without a framework to tie them together.

If you’re preparing for PM interviews:

Learn frameworks like CIRCLES, AARM, and HEART
Practice asking the “why” before jumping into solutions
Back every idea with user personas and clear priorities

Product management is not just about ideas — it’s about clarity, structure, and empathy.

The personalized mentorship at GoCrackIt makes a significant difference in your mock interview preparation journey. Each session is designed to provide you with honest, constructive feedback based on real hiring criteria used by leading companies. By engaging in regular online interview practice, you’ll be able to address weaknesses and improve steadily. With GoCrackIt’s expert-led mock interviews online, you’re not just preparing for interviews—you’re learning how to excel in them.