Technical PM without coding experience. How do you answer this interview question?
I'm interviewing for Technical Project Manager roles and keep wondering how experienced PMs answer this.
If an interviewer says:
«"You don't know coding. Developers do the coding. Why do we need you? How will you communicate with engineers if you don't know how to code?"»
For context:
- I have experience managing software projects and working with cross-functional engineering teams.
- I understand APIs, integrations, SDLC, Agile, microservices, JSON/XML, and cloud concepts, but I'm not a software developer and don't write production code.
- I can follow technical discussions, but I don't want to overstate my technical abilities in an interview.
How do you answer this question in a way that is honest but still demonstrates your value?
I'd especially appreciate responses from engineering managers, senior developers, or Technical PMs who have interviewed candidates or worked with non-coding PMs.