How do you network with product managers at different levels?

1 Junior product managers

Junior product managers are a great source of feedback, insights, and support for product work. To network with them, you can offer to share your knowledge or advice on a specific topic or challenge they are facing. This could be through informal chats, mentorship programs, or online platforms. Inviting them to join or create a product community is also an option, such as a Slack group, meetup, or podcast. Additionally, show genuine interest and empathy by asking about their goals and challenges and sharing your own career journey, successes, and failures.

2 Mid-level product managers

Mid-level product managers are typically more experienced and influential in their roles. They can be helpful allies, collaborators, and advocates for your product vision and strategy. To network with mid-level product managers, you can seek to learn from their expertise, perspective, and achievements by asking thoughtful questions or requesting feedback. Additionally, you can showcase your own expertise, value, and impact by sharing your portfolio or demonstrating your skills. You can also explore opportunities to work together on common goals, problems, or initiatives by proposing joint projects or joining cross-functional teams.

3 Senior product managers

As senior product managers are often the decision-makers, leaders, and visionaries in their organizations or domains, they can be influential mentors, sponsors, and role models for your career development and growth. To network with them, you can express your admiration, appreciation, and curiosity for their work by sending them a personalized message or a thank-you note. Additionally, you can seek to add value to their work, goals, or challenges by offering help, insights, or suggestions. Lastly, you can ask for their guidance, advice, or referrals by requesting a meeting or an informational interview.

4 Internal product managers

Networking with internal product managers can help you build trust, collaboration, and alignment within your team or organization. To do so, you should communicate regularly and effectively with them by updating them on your progress, challenges, and achievements, or by acknowledging their contributions. Additionally, you should participate actively and constructively in their meetings, events, or initiatives by showing up prepared and engaged. Finally, you should socialize and bond with them on a personal level by joining or organizing informal activities or sharing your hobbies and interests.

5 External product managers

External product managers are people who work in different organizations or industries than you. Networking with them can help you expand your horizons, learn new trends, and discover new opportunities. You can attend or host events, webinars, or workshops related to product management, join or create online platforms, groups, or forums where product managers interact, and reach out to product managers who work on products, domains, or topics that interest you. This can be done by registering, presenting, sponsoring events and engaging with the speakers and attendees; signing up, posting, or commenting on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Product Hunt; joining or creating groups or chats on Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp; subscribing to newsletters, blogs, or podcasts; finding profiles, emails, or websites of product managers; sending them a personalized and concise message; and asking for an introduction from a mutual contact or connection.