Moving back from product to coding in order to increase my TC substantially?
Product Manager now, 5yoe as a PM, before that 10yoe being a software engineer (ie writing products), solution engineer (implementing products), or leading small teams of engineers. Base + bonus 220k (SF Bay Area) + some non-unicorn stock options. Technical degree, no MBA. Recently interviewed for a number of PM positions in better paying Bay Area tech companies with no success. Still proficient in coding (Java, Node.js, React, SQL, GraphQL, Python + some ML experience), I'm wondering if there is a better chance to rapidly bump my TC by going back to an engineering job. Edit: Not really interested about life couching sort of answers (but thanks for them anyway). My question is rather practical: does the idea of making much better money by coding sound sane given my shallowly outlined experience? All sorts of "yes but only if" answers are welcome. Edit2: Examples of ideal answers (wondering how many commenters will just copy and paste): - "I am a hiring manager at FAANG and I think you are already overpaid" - "I am a hiring manager at FAANG and people with your experience are likely to be worth 300k+ if they routinely perform at this and that level at LC"
It depends what you like to do more. Do you know why you got no success in your search?
I like both (this why I moved to PM but still having my pet coding projects). I'm not good at interviewing. Obvious explanation is that I may be just a bad PM who is just by a coincidence somehow successful in one very specific company. I'm good at behavioral and technical interviews but I tend to lose all my creativity and PM routine temporarily when doing any product design exercise.
Have you tried your luck with analytics or ML jobs? They would pay much higher
Do executive MBA become svp or evp and earn millions.
What is executive MBA, can you give full form of svp or evp?
You mean "spend $150k+, have no life for 2 years and then maybe"?
Why did you move to PM role? And what has changed since? Life is not all about TC.
I moved to PM because I wanted to and I am still enjoying it. I like coding too, just haven't been practicing it professionally for a few years (besides creating a few prototypes). Yes, life is not all about TC - I'm sure you mean well but I'm old enough for that sort of instant wisdom. Let me rephrase the question in the subject line - given my shallowly outlined background, does it sound like a realistic idea?
It sounds realistic given your background. You've developed before. Cant imagine why some prep cant get you through interviews. You will get questions on why the switches though.. Sorry if I came across as a** - not my intent. In some smaller companies you might get to put on both hats..
It is going to be hard for you to convince people. You will probably have to start as SDE1 and work your way up. My 2 cents.
SDM role may be a sweet spot for you. Having both product and tech experience will make you respected leader and TC is not going to be an issue for sure
I hire all these roles and will pay a lot more for an SWE at the same seniority as a PM.
Does it apply to all levels or only the lower ones?
How are you sure its easy to land a good paying coding job? Unless you are expert at LC coding questions its hard to get high paying job in software engineering
I am not sure. This is why I am asking.
Here is my piece of advice from an old dog: Don’t follow the money as your first priority. Money is a though master. Follow what can make you passionate (or more so). I know it look like instant wisdom, but it is the best advice for your case. Let me ask you something. If you go back as developer, and you are not successful. You’ll have same TC or less, are you going to be happier ? or are you going to wish you were pm again. The industry is a cycle, sometimes things look better at a point in time. But then things change.... I think you have a great background as PM. Expand your search for a better position.... You’ll find gem where you don’t expect.
Yes!! Software engineering is better than PM any day!