Introduction
People think of Steve Jobs and other tech achievers as Lone Geniuses. That’s not true. Although Jobs flew solo to launch the first iPhone in 2007 on stage, behind the scenes, he worked with a big team.
The invention of most tech products involves teamwork between several departments like IT, engineering, marketing, and sales, among others. For sure, your next question will be – If so many people are involved, then how does the Product Manager fit into a picture? A Product Manager manages these teams and creates a valuable, usable, and practical product.
Product management in 2021
Product Management is about vision, managerial skills, knowing why products matter, and always being motivated to improve on what is already out there.
Product management ranks third on Glassdoor’s 2021 list of best jobs in America, with over 14,515 job opportunities.
What is the role of a Product Manager?
Product Managers (PM) are accountable for deciding the future of the product. The job entails defining client needs and collaborating with stakeholders and teams to develop the required product. Not only this, once the product rolls out, they are accountable for the overall success of the product.
Product managers have to look after several different tasks and responsibilities, such as:
- Evaluating the market and competitors
- Researching and crafting user personas
- Prioritizing features
- Aligning teams (development, marketing, etc.)
- Generating and curating ideas
- Developing roadmaps
- Managing customer feedback
- Imparting product strategy and vision
- Updating stakeholders
And much, much more
Tips to secure your first Product manager job
Engineering, Marketing, Operations, Tech Support or IT, sales, and Customer Service are all common backgrounds for product managers. If you’re trying to work out how to get into product management, the first and foremost step is to assess your skills as a product manager.
Product managers must cultivate empathy, creativity, leadership, and hardcore analysis skills, as well as a data-driven attitude. There are a few techniques to gain an advantage over other candidates. Use the following tips to secure your first Product Manager job –
1. Do your Research
A thorough understanding of the industry, products, history, competitors, and target market can help you deal with product manager interview questions. The more you learn about the product, the easier it will be to progress through the stages of the product management career path.
2. Work on Analytical Skills
A fundamental part of the product manager’s job is collecting and sorting data to spot patterns, establish strategy, and solve problems. Get familiar with the data skills and tools that businesses use like Woopra, Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics, and Tableau. This will help you communicate and think analytically while also being technically competent.
3. Highlight Side Projects in your Resume
Recruiters spend 15–30 seconds looking over your resume to see if you’re a good fit. Tailor your resume according to the company you are applying to. Focus your time wisely on side projects you’ve led and prototypes you’ve produced. You can also mention instances where you handled the clients or refer to the times where you used data to make decisions.
The most important aspect is to showcase how you addressed problems throughout the process, which involves being open about your failures and errors.
4. Be curious and eager to learn about the Role
You can learn more about what it takes to be a PM by reading books, blogs (like this one), watching videos, and enrolling in online courses. While going through these sources, you might find some skill sets that deserve your attention. Connecting with a Product Manager who can provide you with advice, support, or perhaps your big break is a fantastic way to get into product management. If you’re new to the product sector, you may start by attending meetups and conferences that emphasize networking.
5. Communication Skills
Look for a platform where you can practice presenting in front of a group. It will push you out of your comfort zone and allow you to make mistakes, learn from them, and gain confidence in speaking and presenting your ideas and projects. As a Product Manager, you should be able to communicate internally and externally.
Hiring managers will look at how you present your resume and answer questions during the interview. Exceptional communication skills are essential to be successful in a Product Manager role.
6. Learn to Code
Want to increase your employability? Even a simple understanding of coding might help you stand out to hiring managers. Product Managers who know how to code can convey their ideas more effectively with developers and engineers.
The US. Former Product Manager at Google, Ken Norton, says that PMs must have a technical background.
Knowledge of basic coding languages such as HTML, CSS, Ruby, and iOS will help you solve technical problems and the confidence to push back on the Marketing and Design teams’ requests.
7. Know the Competitors
It’s a crucial part of the strategic planning process. Take a look at the competitors’ most recent products and updates to see what features set them apart from the product you’ll be working on. It will enhance your present level of knowledge and self-awareness.
8. Networking
Consider talking to professionals and known associates about possible job vacancies in their firms. Your friends can vouch for you and could be eager to recommend you to a hiring manager or coworker. Personal introductions to job postings are crucial for getting the process started and finding a new position.
9. Never say “I don’t know tech”
You will be amazed how often Product Managers say this. But do not fall into this trap because it might cost you a failed interview. While hiring a newcomer, the Human Resource Manager will not expect you to have extensive technical expertise. Do not pretend you know things that you are not familiar with either. No one expects you to be a coder, but having a basic understanding will make it easier for you to communicate with your engineers and solve problems.
10. Focus on your Expertise
You should know what kind of product you’d manage successfully before applying for the job. Search for industries and products where your existing skills and knowledge can help you stand out. To thrive as a Project Manager, you must work in an industry that you are passionate about.
Apply for that PM role!
Find companies operating in sectors that you’re enthusiastic about and for which you’d be delighted to work. Then go ahead and give interviews to initiate the process and prepare to answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interview tips for aspiring Product Managers:
Your interview will cover a wide range of topics related to product management. Below are some of the areas in which you should prepare to assist you and gain confidence to impress the hiring manager.
• What does the company do?
• Where do you see yourself in the company?
• What makes you think they should recruit you?
• What is the purpose of the role? Are you aware of the specifics?
Wrapping up
That’s it. These are some pointers that will help you in securing your first Product Manager job. Following that, you must trust yourself, understand why and what you are doing this for, moderate your expectations, and push yourself because securing a Product Manager job might be difficult. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for landing a Product Management position.
If you are interested in learning more about Product Management, check the PG Program in Product Management and Analytics offered by Great Lakes Executive Learning. It is a 6-months Online Mentorship program with 65+ hours of self-paced video lectures by Great Lakes Faculty and industry experts. Do not wait and grab this opportunity to build a rewarding career.
