← Outset
Outset role-play cheat sheet
For the mock cold call at the end of most SDR interviews.
What they sell, in one line
Software that uses AI to run customer interviews automatically, giving survey-speed results with interview-level depth.
Who you'd be calling
Heads of Product, UX Research leads, Product Managers and Insights/Marketing managers at mid-size software and consumer companies
Your opener
“Hi [Name], this is [You] from Outset. I know I'm calling out of the blue. I work with product and research teams who want to hear from way more customers without adding interview hours. Do you have 30 seconds for me to tell you why I called?”
Problems you solve for them
- Customer interviews are slow to schedule, run and summarize by hand
- Surveys are fast but shallow, so teams miss the 'why'
- Small research teams can't talk to enough customers before making product decisions
Discovery questions to ask
- How does your team gather customer feedback before you build or change something today?
- How long does it usually take to go from 'we need research' to having findings?
- What decisions have you made recently where you wished you had talked to more customers?
Objections they'll throw at you
“I'm busy right now.”
→ Totally fair, I'll be quick. I'm only asking whether getting interview-style answers faster is a priority for you this quarter. Is it worth a 15-minute chat later this week?
“We're not interested.”
→ No problem, most people I call aren't looking for this until a big launch is near. Can I ask how you get customer insight today, just so I know if I should check back later?
“We already use something for research.”
→ Good, that means research matters to your team. Many people use Outset alongside their current tools to add scale. What do you wish your current setup could do better?
“Just send me an email.”
→ Happy to. So I send you something useful, what's the main research challenge on your plate right now? Then I can follow up with a quick time to talk.
Competitors worth knowing
Listen Labs, Dovetail, UserTesting
Interview tips for this company
- Learn what 'AI-moderated' means: AI asks the interview questions and follows up, no human on the call. Be ready to explain it in one sentence.
- Practice your pitch around 'depth at survey speed', and ask smart questions about how research slows down product decisions.
Written from public information about Outset to help you practice. Ask an insider what their role play looked like; it's the best prep there is.