Product manager role and compensation

Nvidia
caught22

Go to company page Nvidia

caught22
May 22, 2019 15 Comments

My wife moved to the bay area from India with me few months ago. She is an engineer turned designer turned Product Manager. She has more than 3 years of product experience at leading Indian FinTech firms and holds an MBA degree from reputed Indian campus. I was hoping that she won't particularly face difficulty in finding a job here especially with her visa situation all sorted out but it has been a rough ride frankly.
She got plenty of interview traction may be due to her unique diverse background but she was mostly considered for senior PM roles and then would get rejected on basis of someone more experienced suitable candidate got chosen over her.
I do understand the amount of context switch goes on with product roles moving across the geography but still its a rough position competing with candidates with local experience here.
Nonetheless she managed to land an offer this week from a "HR & business compliance & training" start up but her compensation doesn't seem to reflect her experience level. She is going to be making 120k + 5-6k stock options.
Based on overall experience we had so far I think we will be moving ahead and tackle the issue of lack of local experience and get back to job market in the background in a bit.

Apologize for the long post but really looking for hearing on similar experiences and insights on this situation from product folks.

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TOP 15 Comments
  • I mean...you pretty much answered your own question. She is not good enough, at least in the interview loops, to land the senior pm role. So take the low-ball offer and turn that experience into better offers.
    May 22, 2019 1
    • Nvidia
      caught22

      Go to company page Nvidia

      caught22
      OP
      I don't really agree with "not good enough" part, if the bar is to have local experience and that is what ir sounds like so far, so really can't do much just find an entry where can and work way up from there.
      To clarify I'm not really looking for opinions/judgments, we get plenty of that from the job hunt experience so far, but to hear more on similar experiences and learned insights but all are welcome of course.
      May 22, 2019
  • Oracle
    Binte Dil

    Go to company page Oracle

    Binte Dil
    Exactly.. I am even surprised she landed with a $120k offer with zero US education or experience. Senior PMs in large name brand companies have typically over 15+ yoe. Be happy. Have her work there for a year or so and then go from there. It does become extremely competitive just so you know. I am a Group PM myself speaking from experience.
    May 22, 2019 0
  • Bruh you’re coming from India, you better be happy with the 120k...
    May 22, 2019 0
  • Google
    3lineguy

    Go to company page Google

    3lineguy
    Product is also a role where 'soft skills' matter and the expectations can vary a lot from domain to domain and market to market.
    $120K base is low, but not unheard of for a 3 yoe candidate.
    Has she tried to apply to new grad roles?
    May 22, 2019 0
  • Microsoft / Product
    Brazuka

    Go to company page Microsoft Product

    PRE
    Bain & Company
    Brazuka
    Take the offer. Stay for 1year and then interview in other places. She has zero US experience and education so struggle is normal for all roles except SDE. Only thing that might have eased is if she worked in a big US company form India or had an IIT degree (only degree non Indians might know). Sounds like she has neither.
    May 22, 2019 0