If you were to join LinkedIn today, what feature would you build that can enhance the worldwide workforce?

I understand the task and will provide a detailed, strategic answer to the given product strategy problem from the perspective of a seasoned VP of Product interviewing for a senior product leadership role. I'll structure my response according to the outlined steps and formatting instructions, using a first-person perspective as if directly addressing the interviewer. Here's my response:

Introduction

Thank you for presenting this intriguing product strategy challenge. If I were to join LinkedIn today, my task would be to build a feature that enhances the worldwide workforce. This aligns perfectly with LinkedIn's mission to connect the world's professionals and make them more productive and successful.

To approach this challenge, I'll outline a comprehensive strategy that focuses on global workforce enhancement while driving LinkedIn's growth and market leadership. My response will cover market analysis, product vision, prioritization, execution planning, metrics, and risk management.

Step 1

Clarify the Strategic Goals (3-4 minutes)

Before diving into the solution, I'd like to clarify a few key points to ensure my strategy aligns with LinkedIn's current priorities and market position.

• Based on LinkedIn's global presence, I'm assuming we're looking to further expand our international reach. Could you confirm if this is a key strategic priority, and if there are specific regions or demographics we're targeting for growth?

Why it matters: Determines the focus of our feature development and go-to-market strategy. Expected answer: Confirmation of global expansion focus, possibly with emphasis on emerging markets. Impact on approach: Would tailor the feature to address specific needs of target regions or demographics.

• Considering the evolving nature of work, especially post-pandemic, are we prioritizing features that support remote work and digital skills development, or is there a different aspect of workforce enhancement that's more pressing for LinkedIn?

Why it matters: Shapes the core value proposition of the new feature. Expected answer: Likely emphasis on remote work and digital skills, but open to other critical workforce trends. Impact on approach: Would focus on building features that address the most pressing workforce needs identified.

• In terms of user segments, are we looking to primarily serve job seekers, employed professionals looking to upskill, or perhaps expand our offerings for employers and recruiters?

Why it matters: Defines the primary user persona for the new feature. Expected answer: Possibly a mix, with emphasis on one or two key segments. Impact on approach: Would tailor the feature's functionality and user experience to the needs of the primary target segment(s).

• Regarding LinkedIn's current product suite, are we looking to enhance existing features or create an entirely new offering? And how does this align with our current technology infrastructure and development capabilities?

Why it matters: Determines the scope and integration requirements of the new feature. Expected answer: Likely a mix of enhancing existing features and introducing new capabilities. Impact on approach: Would influence the development strategy and resource allocation.

Based on your responses, I'll synthesize these insights into key strategic assumptions that will guide our solution approach.