How do I become a product manager?

I am always open to coaching young professionals or soon to be professionals on career choices most of the questions come down to "How do I become a product manager?" Documenting my advice for anyone who is starting fresh or has experience but wants to shift to product management.

The role of the product manager is expanding due to the growing importance of data in decision making, an increased customer and design focus, and the evolution of software-development methodologies.- Source McKinsey

Here are a few tips if you

1. Understanding the role. Product Management is one of the most coveted and exciting roles out there. Once I became a product manager I knew this was my calling. Its important to understand what the role entails and understand if this is something you resonates with you.

Product Management Key Responsibilities:

I searched various roles at Microsoft, Meta and Google and here are some common responsibilities that are documented.

• Define the product direction and strategy for product areas
• Design and lead the product roadmap by managing goals and investments to scale globally.
• Lead a team to identify and advocate for the most impactful product opportunities
• Translate opportunities into a compelling product vision, strategy, and roadmap in the context of broader organizational strategies and goals.
• Engage with customers to understand their strategies, end-to-end business processes, pain points, and priorities to inform product strategy and provide transparency into roadmaps/managing expectations.
• Define key metrics that determine the success your products and develop a deep understanding of your product’s performance
• Partner closely with Engineering, UX, and other internal teams to drive product and delivery success. Analyze landscape and industry trends to advance our products and drive innovation.
• Foster and facilitate timely decision-making across a broad network of stakeholders, delivery partners, and operational teams. Attract, develop, and retain an excellent team of product managers.

Tip: When you are researching for roles and responsibilities search for job posts on LinkedIn or other forums and document them. The Job openings right now are well thought out funded roles for future growth of the company you want to know where companies are investing in future so you prepare yourself for the right skills and roles. No shortcut here, research, document and double on everything you do not understand.

3 Examples:

• Microsoft: https://jobs.careers.microsoft.com/us/en/job/1640344/AI-Speech-Principal-Product-Manager
• Meta: https://www.metacareers.com/jobs/1539580526811590
• Google: https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/105414656148808390-product-manager-ii

2. Understanding Key Skills: The Building Blocks of Product Excellence The foundation of a successful product manager lies in a mastery of essential skills encompassing a range of domains.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities enable product managers to identify market opportunities, devise innovative solutions, and navigate complex challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills foster seamless stakeholder interactions, ensuring all voices are heard and aligned towards a common goal.
• While not always a prerequisite, technical proficiency proves invaluable in comprehending the intricacies of product development and effectively communicating with engineering teams. (Hiring managers are shifting their interests from product managers to technical product manager to AI product managers, upskilling is crucial)
• Additionally, understanding the principles of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design allows product managers to create intuitive and user-centric products that resonate with target audiences.
• Beyond these core skills, product managers must possess strong analytical and decision-making capabilities to gather and interpret data, evaluate options, and make informed choices that drive product success.
• Adaptability and resilience are also crucial, as the product management landscape is constantly evolving, and the ability to embrace change and navigate challenges is essential for long-term success.

Helpful tip: As you research roles focus on the skills section, LinkedIn does a good job of highlighting skills needed for the job. Document them and understand where you are on the skills chart. Work on the areas that need education and experience.

3. Educate yourself: Equipping Yourself with the Right Knowledge Pursuing knowledge is an integral part of becoming a product manager, and various educational pathways can equip aspiring individuals with the necessary expertise.

• Traditional degree programs in business administration, computer science, or engineering provide a solid foundation in core concepts.
• Specialized product management courses offer in-depth knowledge of the field's specific methodologies and tools.
• Product management boot camps, gaining popularity recently, offer accelerated training programs that condense essential knowledge into intensive learning modules, often incorporating practical projects and industry mentorship.
• Online courses and certifications, on the other hand, provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace while acquiring recognized credentials.
• Regardless of the chosen path, the focus should be on acquiring a comprehensive understanding of product management principles, including market research, user analysis, product strategy, roadmapping, and project management.
• Exposure to design thinking methodologies, agile development practices, and data analysis techniques further enhances the skillset of aspiring product managers.

Tip: There are ton of courses and newsletters out there for product management

Newsletters:

• SVPG: https://www.svpg.com
• Lenny's Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/
• UX Collective: https://uxplanet.org/
• Elena Verna: https://elenaverna.substack.com/

Books: (lot of good books only suggesting what I have read and liked)

• Lean startup by Eric Reis: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0670921602
• Hooked by Nir Eyal: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788
• Swipe to unlock: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1976182190
• Hard things about hard things: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Hard-Things-audiobook/dp/B00I0A6HUO
• Don't make me think: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515

3. Testing Your Skills: Putting Theory into Practice Theoretical knowledge, while crucial, gains actual value when applied in real-world scenarios. Aspiring product managers can hone their skills and gain valuable experience through various practical avenues.

• Building a product portfolio, whether personal or collaborative, demonstrates the ability to conceptualize, develop, and launch a product from ideation to market.
• Participation in hackathons provides an immersive environment to test problem-solving skills under pressure, foster collaboration with diverse teams, and showcase creative thinking abilities.
• Volunteering for product management projects within organizations or non-profit initiatives offers hands-on experience in project management, stakeholder communication, and decision-making.
• These practical experiences enhance skills and provide tangible evidence of capabilities to potential employers or mentors.
• By actively seeking opportunities to apply their knowledge, aspiring product managers can build a strong portfolio highlighting their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and ability to deliver results.

Tip I received from my mentor at Disney Jarett Smith : Solve a problem that no one wants to solve, its tough, its complex that when you demonstrate your value.

Certifications:

• https://productschool.com/pl/product-management-certification-bf
• https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=product%20management
• https://online.stanford.edu/programs/product-management-program

4. Follow relevant advice:

There is ton of wisdom out there lot of smart, product management leaders who are sharing wealth of information:

Some references (not exhaustive).

Disclaimer : Not affiliated in any way or have experienced courses offered by these leaders but I follow their advice and its pretty spot on

• Shreyas Doshi https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/shreyasdoshi/
• Aakash Gupta https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/aagupta/
• Elena Verna : https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/elenaverna/

Tip: Find a coach and a mentor within or outside your organization. I have received valuable advice from mentors in my career Manu Rekhi and Jarett Smith I learnt a ton from my bosses Naveen Baweja Vivek Sharma Narayan R. Iyengar

5. Gaining Experience: Opening Doors to Opportunities Without formal experience, aspiring product managers can create their opportunities by taking on side projects. Whether developing a mobile app, launching an online business, or redesigning a website, these projects provide tangible evidence of skills and initiative.

• Internships offer valuable exposure to the day-to-day operations of product management, allowing individuals to shadow experienced professionals, learn from their expertise, and contribute to real-world projects within a supportive environment. Internships can lead to full-time employment opportunities or provide valuable connections within the industry.
• Freelance work, particularly for startups or small businesses, allows applying product management principles in a real-world setting, gaining exposure to diverse industries and client needs. Freelance projects can also serve as a source of income and provide a platform to showcase skills and build a professional reputation.
• Build a product: These days its not hard to build something, build something get the experience hands on experience. Build an application on no code platforms, launch them, measure, test, iterate.
• Making Your Case as a Potential Product Manager Networking with established product managers through online platforms, industry events, or alumni networks is invaluable in gaining insights into the field, expanding one's professional circle, and uncovering job opportunities. Networking can provide valuable mentorship, job leads, and insights into company culture and expectations. PMA.LA is an excellent organization in Los Angeles area led by Ethan Cole PhD and team. Lot of other networking event provide opportunities.
• Tailoring Resumes and Cover Letters for Maximum Impact When applying for product management positions, it is crucial to tailor resumes and cover letters to each specific role, highlighting relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. A well-crafted resume should showcase the candidate's ability to identify market opportunities, solve problems, and deliver innovative solutions. Cover letters provide an opportunity to elaborate on the candidate's passion for product management, unique strengths, and motivation to contribute to the organization's success. Highlighting specific projects, achievements, or relevant coursework demonstrates the candidate's ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Practising Interviewing: Sharpening Communication and Presentation Skills

Tip: I once was told by a Disney Recruiter that Disney only picks resumes that match 99% of the job requirements, make sure your resumes matches the job requirement research well.

Finally AI is taking over the world. McKinsey did a recent study and found out that developers were 56% more productive by using Github co-pilot. World is moving at a rapid pace and product management needs to move lock step. Focus on AI Product Management and leverage tools that empower you to move faster and build better products.