As a software engineer with 5 years of experience (but coming from a bootcamp), how do I transition to a product management role? Apple doesn't really have PM roles, and I don't fee great about starting over and applying for entry level jobs (even if I were to start with entry level, I am not sure what are good companies for this). I've been unofficially thinking about my products as an engineer of course, but don't really know the hard skills required and how to get my foot in the door to interview. Any advice?
Do a startup.
Heh. This is actually probably the most efficient way to do it, but I don't think I want to do a startup for personal development reasons.
Why would SWE want to become a PM?
it's way easier, you don't have to think and still get the same salary
It's not easier, which is why I'm switching back. It's very draining emotionally to convince people to do shit with no authority. That's why I'm so intrigued by OP's desire. I just don't think most devs know what they are getting into.
I would challenge your fear of "starting over". you have experience that you would bring with you into a new environment, and it's good to have that freedom to change companies and not feel trapped. plenty of companies out there that would want a manager with engineering experience, in fact that's how all of them usually are
I am going through this transition now. Moving from a Senior Solutions Eng role, to now being our newest PM. The handover hasn't been easy (personally) because I'm now dealing with aspects of office politics and planning that I've been sheltered from in my previous roles. It's a completely different world once you enter the management realm! You mentioned skills...... The PM role is more Soft Skill oriented than Hard from what I'm experiencing. Keeping the peace between departments, managing over commitments of tech by sales, presenting compelling arguments to internal stakeholders, and lastly defending your product vision on a daily basis..... So effective communication skills is #1; either you have it or you don't.
I'm sure communication skills are learnable/practiceable, but for comparison's sake...what was your motivation to switch?
What org are you in? What product? How did you get there? Did you transition from an eng IC? I'd love to more!
PM titles are hot now. It's easy to get respect and higher comps at the moment, but that will likely change quickly, like everything else in our industry. Make sure you think this career path through, including terminal state. The path from engineering to C-level is well-trodden and well-documented. The path from Product Management to C-level is much less clear or nonexistent. If being a PM is your passion, then follow it. If you have larger career ambitions, you may want to consider how much headwind you'll face trying to achieve them coming from SWE or PM. PMs are also not respected by engineering. Often viewed as business suck ups/sellouts who create headaches by selling visions without taking cost or difficulty of development into consideration. This isn't helped by the number of fresh college grads flooding the field who make the mistake failing to develop strong relationships with, and give due deference to, the senior engineers on their teams. Be prepared for some degree of alienation from your former tribe. Even some friends may respect you less, although they won't say it to your face. With that out of the way, all the best PMs I know HAVE to be PMs. It's their calling. From your posts above, it sounds like you may be one of these people. Just enter into it with eyes open.
I don't think it's realistic for u to apply to PM roles if at this point you're still clarifying what they even do. Go find a PM at you current company. Ask them to mentor u on the role. Once u have a better understanding, see if you could exercise any of those skills on your current team by talking to your manager. Having ideas is not enough to be a product mgr, u need business acumen, how to research, determine ROI on features, negotiations with other teams or companies, etc. maybe an MBA could help u as well.
How’s the transition going OP? Would like to learn your process
A friend told me Microsoft has some good entry level PM roles. Not sure if that's true.
Yeah, Microsoft streams a lot of folks into PM.
Is there a social status implied by PM vs engineering roles? Do PMs manage scheduled and timelines or are they actually thinking about long and short term vision of a product?