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How to become a Product Manager?
Lend your expertise: what does it take to become a Product Manager?
Note: Given the growing interest in the product management field, we're inviting our experienced professionals to share their knowledge.
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6 answers
Abhinav Vadrevu
Product Manager
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Abhinav’s Answer
Product Management is a fulfilling career choice that welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds. Many successful Product Managers (PMs) have roots in business, computer science, finance, sales, or design. However, the key to thriving in this role lies in mastering the essential skills necessary to guide teams and create exceptional user experiences.
These fundamental skills encompass:
1. Empathy and curiosity to connect with customers and comprehend their needs
2. Proficient communication and teamwork capabilities
3. Analytical and problem-solving prowess
4. Strategic and critical thought processes
5. A fervor for technology and user experience
Improving these skills can be achieved through a variety of means, such as school projects, side ventures, or even entry-level positions in areas like marketing, sales, UX design, business analytics, or project management. Gaining hands-on experience working on products is arguably the most effective way to enhance your skills.
If your goal is to become a PM at a tech firm, possessing a technical background as a software engineer or having experience working closely with engineering teams can be a significant advantage. However, there are numerous routes into product management, and none of these prerequisites are strictly necessary.
These fundamental skills encompass:
1. Empathy and curiosity to connect with customers and comprehend their needs
2. Proficient communication and teamwork capabilities
3. Analytical and problem-solving prowess
4. Strategic and critical thought processes
5. A fervor for technology and user experience
Improving these skills can be achieved through a variety of means, such as school projects, side ventures, or even entry-level positions in areas like marketing, sales, UX design, business analytics, or project management. Gaining hands-on experience working on products is arguably the most effective way to enhance your skills.
If your goal is to become a PM at a tech firm, possessing a technical background as a software engineer or having experience working closely with engineering teams can be a significant advantage. However, there are numerous routes into product management, and none of these prerequisites are strictly necessary.
Bharathy C
Product management
2
Answers
Menlo Park, California
Updated
Bharathy’s Answer
Becoming a product manager can be an exciting journey with several routes to take. As a product manager, you'll get the chance to lead a diverse team, working together to create products that not only meet the needs of users but also bring value to your organization. Many product managers I've collaborated with have backgrounds in Analytics, Design, Engineering, or Business Management. So, if you're just starting your career journey, it's a great idea to explore courses in these areas. This will give you a well-rounded understanding of what it means to be a product manager.
But remember, being a product manager isn't just about having the right skills. It's also about leadership. Product managers often find themselves leading without having direct authority, which means their ability to influence others is key to their success.
And here's a little tip - there's a book I'd recommend for anyone wanting to understand the mindset of a product manager and how they apply a multi-disciplinary approach to their daily work. It's called 'Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology'. This book could be a great resource for you on your journey to becoming a product manager.
But remember, being a product manager isn't just about having the right skills. It's also about leadership. Product managers often find themselves leading without having direct authority, which means their ability to influence others is key to their success.
And here's a little tip - there's a book I'd recommend for anyone wanting to understand the mindset of a product manager and how they apply a multi-disciplinary approach to their daily work. It's called 'Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology'. This book could be a great resource for you on your journey to becoming a product manager.
Brooke Jones
Product Management
31
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Brooke’s Answer
To embark on a career as a product manager, it's crucial to establish a robust educational background and a broad range of skills. My journey began with a bachelor's degree in computer science, which allowed me to develop a strong technical foundation. I later pursued an MBA to hone my business strategy and leadership abilities. However, remember that product management is a field that embraces a variety of backgrounds, such as engineering, business, psychology, and more.
If you're managing software or tech products, technical knowledge is a valuable asset. On the other hand, business skills are vital for comprehending markets and steering teams. You can further enhance your expertise by enrolling in online courses or obtaining certifications. Focus on cultivating skills in areas like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management. Additionally, strive to gain practical experience through internships, side projects, or roles in related fields like marketing or engineering.
To make your mark in product management, be proactive in seeking opportunities to take the lead on small projects or shift from a related role. Showcasing your initiative, leadership, and customer-centric approach will distinguish you from others and pave the way for your success.
If you're managing software or tech products, technical knowledge is a valuable asset. On the other hand, business skills are vital for comprehending markets and steering teams. You can further enhance your expertise by enrolling in online courses or obtaining certifications. Focus on cultivating skills in areas like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management. Additionally, strive to gain practical experience through internships, side projects, or roles in related fields like marketing or engineering.
To make your mark in product management, be proactive in seeking opportunities to take the lead on small projects or shift from a related role. Showcasing your initiative, leadership, and customer-centric approach will distinguish you from others and pave the way for your success.
Vera Vetter
Product Manager
22
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Vera’s Answer
In addition to what the folsk have mentioned, I'd highly recommend looking into APM (Associate Program Management) programs. They typically target BS/MS graduates and run for 1.5-2 yrs, spread between 6-8mo-long rotations with different groups/products. APM programs can help you not only put a foot in the door but also learn about different aspects of Product Management by doing.
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
477
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
To excel as a product manager, the following skills and expertise are essential:
1) A deep understanding of the product's technical aspects and the industry it's part of.
2) The capacity to draft Product Requirements Documents (PRDs).
3) Awareness of emerging trends in the market to determine their priority in the product roadmap.
4) The skill to rank customer requirements based on their potential to generate revenue and the necessity of these features for a successful product.
5) An understanding of the revenue potential of the product and its features.
6) The capability to identify quick actions that can maximize revenue.
7) The acumen to recognize what competitors offer that is currently lacking in your product.
8) The foresight to predict which features will be essential and which will be merely nice to have.
9) The knowledge to comprehend what can be achieved with limited resources without alienating customers.
10) The ability to clearly communicate the product roadmap to customers, understanding their needs, and effectively agreeing or disagreeing with their reasoning.
1) A deep understanding of the product's technical aspects and the industry it's part of.
2) The capacity to draft Product Requirements Documents (PRDs).
3) Awareness of emerging trends in the market to determine their priority in the product roadmap.
4) The skill to rank customer requirements based on their potential to generate revenue and the necessity of these features for a successful product.
5) An understanding of the revenue potential of the product and its features.
6) The capability to identify quick actions that can maximize revenue.
7) The acumen to recognize what competitors offer that is currently lacking in your product.
8) The foresight to predict which features will be essential and which will be merely nice to have.
9) The knowledge to comprehend what can be achieved with limited resources without alienating customers.
10) The ability to clearly communicate the product roadmap to customers, understanding their needs, and effectively agreeing or disagreeing with their reasoning.
Anantharajah Ananthakumar
Senior Product Manager
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Anantharajah’s Answer
The insights provided above are extremely valuable. To build upon them, I'd like to offer my own perspective on understanding whether adopting a 'product manager mindset' would energize you.
Here are some vital traits, ranked by their significance:
- You should be comfortable with integrating the viewpoint of the customer into every product feature that your team creates. Moreover, you should be skilled at conveying this effectively. This is the method through which your product delivers value to the customers.
- You should be skilled at articulating how your product feature contributes to business value. This is how your product leverages the value it generates.
- You should be at ease with introducing the product to the market and persistently enhancing it, even in the face of potential challenges such as ownership issues, scope enlargement, and continuous iterations.
Here are some vital traits, ranked by their significance:
- You should be comfortable with integrating the viewpoint of the customer into every product feature that your team creates. Moreover, you should be skilled at conveying this effectively. This is the method through which your product delivers value to the customers.
- You should be skilled at articulating how your product feature contributes to business value. This is how your product leverages the value it generates.
- You should be at ease with introducing the product to the market and persistently enhancing it, even in the face of potential challenges such as ownership issues, scope enlargement, and continuous iterations.