Interviewed for the Amazon Product Manager role (L5 Non-tech), but offered Program Manager (Non-tech) role within the same team, PLEASE HELP! (PS : I really want to go for the Product role) I've 3 years of Experience (1 yr. as SDE and 2 yrs. as Product Manager at Accenture) and a Program Manager Internship at well-known medium sized IT company. #pm #product #productmanager #amazon #amazonpm #advice #career #careerguidance #job #jobadvice
You got bait and switched or you didn’t read
From my experience that means you didn’t meet the bar for the product role you were interviewing for, but they like you and invested time into evaluating also for that role so they could offer you something. I don’t see a path to product in your negotiation but I have seen TPMs become PMs after a year or two The hiring process at Amazon has high integrity, I can attest. There is no ruse here.
But this is not a TPM role. What does a Program Manager do at Amazon?
Instead of doing analysis and decisions on products, your focus is on execution of teams across teams and operational planning for the organization. Program managers in a lot of ways are the coach or drummer. Schedule and goal achievement is the focus.
Program Manager is a nonstrategic role; unless you are laid off or a housewife looking to enter the workforce, I would avoid it.
Amazon Prime existed under a Program manager in the first few years. Then there are programs like recommerce, return experience which exists (or have existed) under program managers. I have been both and delivered millions of dollars of value in both and have also found it mind numbingly boring at times.
Being a program manager organizing a project worth $ is not the same as the role being strategic. The EA for a CEO isn't generally responsible for billions of dollars of impact, for example.
Turn it down
Get through the door and work from the inside. Having Faang on your resume is enough to turn your life around for any future opportunities. Take the job don’t be dumb.
Lmao having Amazon on your resume is enough to not get invited for future opportunities
That's a myth. Having FAANg on your resume is no longer a wow factor.
If I were you, I would request to schedule a call with the HM. On that call ask the HM, what were the gaps in your product skills, how he/she can help you to fill out those gaps. Insist that you really want to get into product management. From this discussion, check if your HM would be supportive of you switching from Program to Product in the near future (1-2 years). When I was at Amazon, I have seen this switch happen many times and at all levels (L5 to L8).
With this YOE and company background, I’m surprised that you are getting an L5 offer. Don’t take it personal, I know plenty of good L4s who are waiting for a promotion. Hope is not Hire to Fire in your case. You don’t have any options, you either accept or not. HM already is aware of the offer and I don’t think he/she will change it. Amazon is challenging, you will grow a lot but you will pay the price. Think about your job security today as at Amazon it will be 0. If your job is not safe right now, take the risk.
Both are paid very low. Not a huge difference
lol TPM is such a messed up role.
Turn it down
This