Becoming a PM internally at MSFT
I recently got an offer as a SWE at MSFT. I like dev, but don’t want to remain one for long (worried about the quality of life). I took the offer. PM sounds like something my personality aligns more with, and I’d like to make the move soon. Any thoughts on how to go about this?
Alright. Good to know that. I have some serious self-confidence issues that make me think that I can’t succeed as a dev, although I’ve done it for almost two years now and cracked the interview here at MSFT. Just a bad case of imposter syndrome, I guess. Thanks for the answer!
Sign up for a MBA using the tuition benefits. If you start right away, and take it slow and easy, you will be done in 4 years or less, i.e. about the time you'll want to find another job.
Well, I am guessing I can switch internally with an MBA too right?
The MBA is a fail safe option. With that you can get a PM or SDM role outside MS as well. Internal recruiting is hit or miss unless you cultivate a network. Plus business school exercises will put you in uncomfortable situations to help with the confidence issues.
Get to know your PMs and demonstrate competency and comm skills to them. Then ask them if they know anyone hiring PM or if they would be willing to vouch for you if you looped with a different team. References help when looping, depending on the team. Don't get discouraged if you don't get the first few you go for, some hiring managers already have hire/transfer in mind and just loop others for policy's sake.
Gotcha. Overall, is this process common? Or am I making a mistake by taking a dev role hoping to move to PM?
Not a mistake taking a dev role if you are capable. Let’s you observe from the engineer perspective. If you move to PM later you’ll know what worked and didn’t from that perspective and you’ll have to work with engineers. You’ll also be able to push back more intelligently, but as a pm you’ll need to realize you aren’t there to micromanage devs because you left that behind.