Breaking into PM, Seeking Mentorship

VMware
Elyse

Go to company page VMware

Elyse
Mar 24 15 Comments

Hi Everyone! For quite some time, I’ve been trying to break into PM without much success.

I’ve spent the last 5 years as a Solutions Engineer building new architectures in networking, security, and cloud.

I recently completed a 3 month full time PM rotation program at VMware. I also completed a week long PM boot camp with General Assembly.

I’ve read blogs and books such as Cracking the PM interview.

After all my applications, referrals, cold LinkedIn messages, etc. I’ve only managed to get 1 interview, which I thought went well 7/10 but I know I didn’t hit it out of the park.

Since I am not getting any call backs, I’d really love if someone could review my resume? I’d also love to chat with anyone who is willing to share their journey or give advice.

I’m local to the Bay Area or Zoom.

#pm #product #productmanager

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 TOP 15 Comments
  • New
    HLTi40

    New

    HLTi40
    Happy to help, feel free to DM me.

    If it helps, I have 10 years of product management experience at Microsoft and then a couple of health tech startups.
    Mar 24 5
    • The Hospital for Sick Children / Mgmt
      wTfs61

      The Hospital for Sick Children Mgmt

      BIO
      Project Manager in Healthcare - Data Science & AI Department
      wTfs61
      Sent you a DM. Thank you!
      Mar 25
    • Amazon
      game!

      Go to company page Amazon

      game!
      Can i dm too?
      Mar 29
  • Financial Services Company
    uFsv12

    Financial Services Company

    uFsv12
    Changing careers to PM these days seems like harder than winning the lottery, everyone and their grandmother wants to become a PM! The PM recruiters have a point though, you can't become a good PM unless you have been a PM. You only become better by doing, so I would just try to do freelance PM type work. Can you offer services to a startup for free?
    Mar 24 1
  • Twilio / Manufacturing
    DEItoda🌛

    Go to company page Twilio Manufacturing

     DEItoda🌛
    Do you have a good reason to get into PM. Wouldn’t you be swab to to be in SWE instead? There are 10 swe jobs for everyone one PM job and it’s primarily shit shoveling
    Mar 24 3
    • Twilio / Manufacturing
      DEItoda🌛

      Go to company page Twilio Manufacturing

       DEItoda🌛
      I think you saw an ideal state. Most day to day grind of PMs are really keeping people happy (your own team and your stakeholders).

      Just be aware that you might be spending 80 of your time doing project management from time to time, abd devs literally ask you to schedule meetings for them.
      Mar 24
    • VMware
      Elyse

      Go to company page VMware

      Elyse
      OP
      If I don’t enjoy it after a year, I can always transition again and said I did it.

      But at this time, I’m very interested in it.
      Mar 24
  • Changing career track is difficult but not impossible. The ingredient that you need most is patience. Your chance to get an interview call outside of your current company is very thin, keep trying inside your current company, current org. Networking skill could take you a long way to get an interview opportunity - don’t underestimate the power of networking. Don’t lose focus on your current job - perform like you are looking for a promotion. Wish you good luck on your job hunting.
    Mar 24 2
    • VMware
      Elyse

      Go to company page VMware

      Elyse
      OP
      It’s definitely been difficult! Every PM tells me to go build something. At this point, I might just build anything to see if it can help boost me 🥲.

      The funny this is, I did try internal first. I had a verbal job offer that was later rescinded I was informed due to budget. They said to reconnect next quarter but that was 6 months ago. Really frustrating and embarrassing for me. The HM even told my current manager it was a go.

      Thanks for the kind words.
      Mar 24
    • Akamai Technologies / Product
      AkaProd

      Go to company page Akamai Technologies Product

       AkaProd
      this happened to me as well when I was looking to break into PM and it is very frustrating. But, stick with it. Keep having the conversations. I had to take a step down in level but they kept my current salary when i eventually got into PM. Perseverance will pay off. Happy to chat more about my actual journey and what it took to finally make the move. Feel free to DM
      5d