Hi Blind I am post-MBA (Mech E. pre-eng so non-coder), 2 YoE Strategy (MBB), 2 YoE product (primarily 0->1 or even 0->Alpha/Beta). Current TC (240, though in Aussie dingaroos) Interests/goals: What I really get a kick out of is identifying novel product opportunities and seeing them translate through to market. My current role I get to advise CTO/CMO types on new product opportunities in their business and manage a team to prototype and scale them. Sample projects: Retail staff voice assistant, AR visual search feature for a retailer, machine vision anti-theft alert system, grocery health/sustainability purchase insights tracker. I like that intersection of vision and execution. I think long term, this still means PM, but may product strategy is a fit. It's often trashed by my PM friends though. Dream would have been any starting role at Snap, but my PM 1st round there got cancelled. Given that, any thoughts on which of these 4 options to pursue? 1) Microsoft: L63 Senior manager, corporate strategy (i.e. team that recommended 4 of 5 recent acquisitions) TC: 220 (160 base, 20% bonus, 20k RSU) Pros: Entry into microsoft, super high level view of the company, chance to network into right PM opportunity in a year, present to satya (j/k probably) Cons: Pure strategy, delays PM entry, 2) Verizon: Venture architect, 5G incubation - A small team of strategists, tech people and product people who identify new SW/platform opportunities due to 5G, build or work with startups on prototypes and then define product to scale or acquire TC: 250 Pros: Lot of ownership over decisions, strategy but still close to product Cons: Can Verizon compete with Azure, AWS? Otherwise have to go external for exits and Verizon brand not as useful. Still not PM 3) Walmart: L4 Senior Product Manager, supply chain ( I applied for L5, got downleveled) TC: 210 first year (155 base, 30% bonus, 58k RSU on sign up, 45k RSU bonus) Pros: Actual PM Cons: Supply chain PM experience transferrable? Heard 50-60 hrs a week too 4) Microsoft: L62 or 63 Teams ecosystems product manager (don't have this one yet, I applied for an L64 PM, got dinged but referred me to this and recruiter is working to connect me with that team). I'd work with 3rd parties to build out integrated app ecosystem on teams Pros: Actual PM at proper tech company Cons: Lower level, but mainly not having the role yet, not sure if I have to go through full interview again 5) Pass on all the above, study for PM interview properly (instead of a week like I did), and retry for Microsoft L63/64, Amazon (insert other companies here) #pm #strategy
If your goal is PM, I would take 3 (Walmart). No point wasting time on strategy and trying to switch. Also, the longer your in the strategy the higher chance your pigeon holed. You can hop to Amazon after Walmart.
I was concerned this would be the answer. The added fly in the ointment is I talked to the last PM who held the Walmart role and he said the manager was bad and I would not learn how to be a good PM there. Said only consider if it I was going to do a year there and switch out after. I could just apply to Amazon now. Have not interviewed with them yet this round.
OP where did you end up going? TC/YOE - 190k, 10
Hey! Mind messaging me? Got some career questions and would appreciate it
Hi OP, also curious where you ended up going. Iβd love to heard more about your Microsoft rolesβ conversations if you pursued them. Feel free to respond here or DM, thank you!
2 and 4 are basically like working at Accenture
I'm quite confused by this. Verizon new venture strategy and ecosystems pm at teams are like working for tech consulting?
Team most made up of contractors from consulting firms