Editor’s Note: Today’s guest post comes from Aman Goyal, a Carnegie Mellon graduate and Associate Product Manager at T-Mobile specializing in Agentic AI. After being laid off with just 90 days to find a new role or leave the U.S., Aman used the DIGS Method™ and CIRCLES Method™ from Decode and Conquer 5th Edition to land his dream position in one of tech’s toughest hiring markets. His story demonstrates how frameworks, preparation, and resilience can turn crisis into opportunity.
Two months ago, I was laid off from my PM role.
For most people, layoffs are emotionally difficult. For international students like me, they also come with a countdown: 90 days to find a job or leave the U.S.
At the same time, the market was shifting—mass tech layoffs, rising expectations for AI fluency, and immigration anxiety triggered by discussions around proposed H-1B visa caps.
In the middle of all that uncertainty, I made a decision:
If I had to rebuild, I would rebuild upward—toward a role at the frontier of Agentic AI product management.
How the DIGS Method™ Elevated My Behavioral Interviews
I leaned heavily on the DIGS Method™, a framework that changed how I communicate my experiences.
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Dramatize the situation: Set real stakes—whether user problems or immigration pressure.
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Indicate the alternatives: Highlight strategic thinking and tradeoffs.
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Go through what you did: Break down my actions with clarity and intent.
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Summarize the impact: End with memorable, measurable outcomes.
With DIGS, my interview answers shifted from structured but generic to engaging, vivid, and story-driven.
How I applied it in my interview:
One of the questions I was asked was “How do you influence stakeholders without authority?” This was my perfect moment to dramatize the situation and task at hand. I explained the different approaches I considered and the stakes associated with each. Influencing with data is a key skill for product managers, so I walked through how I achieved this systematically and concluded with key learnings and takeaways from the experience.
Interviewers didn’t just listen—they connected.
How the CIRCLES Method™ Helped Me Crack Product Design Interviews
For product design rounds, the CIRCLES Method™ became my go-to compass. It helped me:
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C — Comprehend the user context deeply
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I — Identify the right customer segments
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R — Report precise user needs
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C — Cut through priorities ruthlessly
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L — List creative yet practical solutions
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E — Evaluate tradeoffs with PM rigor
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S — Summarize a crisp, compelling recommendation
Under pressure, CIRCLES gave me structure. Under ambiguity, it gave me clarity. Under expectations, it gave me confidence.
How I applied it in my interview:
The question was: “Design a vending machine for blind travelers in an airport.”
I took a pause and asked for a minute to comprehend the problem and ask clarifying questions. One question the interviewer found particularly insightful was: “Is this a busy airport or a relatively quieter one?” From there, I executed the CIRCLES framework and outlined a solution centered on a voice-controlled system.
The most important aspects of product design questions are clarifying questions, user segments, and their pain points. From my experience, solutions matter far less than demonstrating how you think through these foundational elements.
Upskilling in Agentic AI — My Differentiator
I also recognized that AI PM expectations had changed dramatically, so I doubled down on hands-on learning in:
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Agentic workflows
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Evaluators and feedback loops
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RAG systems at production scale
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AI governance, ethics, and risk
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Integrating AI safely into user workflows
I built side projects—from RAG-based agents to AI Reel Generator agents—and shared my learnings with my 12K+ LinkedIn audience. These projects demonstrated my creativity, product instincts, and entrepreneurial mindset, all critical for a product manager in today’s AI era.
By the time I interviewed, I wasn’t talking about AI at a feature level—I was discussing AI at a systems and strategy level.
That depth stood out.
The Outcome — A Dream Role Against the Odds
Within 60 days, I landed the role: Associate Product Manager — Agentic AI at T-Mobile.
A job that aligned perfectly with my strengths, passions, and long-term career direction. A job I earned under immense time pressure. A job that reminded me that resilience + frameworks + consistent action can change everything.
Giving Back — Because No One Should Navigate This Alone
Throughout my journey, I’ve mentored 100+ students pursuing AI and PM roles. I’ve shared strategies, templates, interview frameworks, and mindset guidance—especially for international students walking similar paths.
I plan to continue giving back, because community is what carried me forward during the hardest periods of my journey.
If you’re navigating a layoff, breaking into PM, exploring AI roles, or simply need direction—feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to help however I can.
Communities like the one Lewis Lin has built shaped my path. If my story can help even one person, that’s the best way I can pay it forward.
Aman Goyal is an Associate Product Manager specializing in Agentic AI at T-Mobile and a Carnegie Mellon University graduate. He has published research papers at top AI conferences, mentored 100+ professionals in AI and product management, and previously worked at Intel and The Trade Desk.