What it takes to get hired as a Product Manager in 2024.
I've seen a lot of ranting on unanswered applications, people applying over 1000+ applications with no call-backs etc. I feel for you, this is a tough market... you're competing against startup founders whose companies went bust... "directors" of product at random startups who are willing to downlevel to Associate PM's just to get a job again... and every internal position wants to be a PM from Data Scientists, to Customer Success teams... and MBA's for whom PM has become the new hype cycle like Investment Banking and Management Consulting... If you're Sai Vishwanath Gundapilli from Nellore who went to Vishwanatha Engineering College in Nellore and came for your master's in management at Witchita State University and worked as a Data Analyst at American Airlines for 2 years and now want to switch in product management... because you think it's cool AND you need sponsorship... sorry bro... maybe in another market in another era. It's rough out there... I've been a PM for a long time... and I've seen the industry up close. Most of the pm interview sites today (exponent, product alliance etc... I've seen since the early days) This is what will guarantee you a PM offer. If you hit all these, you can get an offer within a month. GUARANTEED. From most to least I posted this before but no one cares about domain and shit. This is what hiring managers want: 1. Top school (harvard, stanford etc). This is a MUST in these types of markets. no one will fault you for hiring a stanford grad... so theres no risk. In bear times PM roles HEAVILY skew towards undergraduate academic pedigree. 2. Top company exp (if you came out of google apm, youre a safe bet). Having Google, Meta etc on your resume as a PM will boost your resume to the top of the pile. 3. CS/or STEM undergrad. Not always needed but it does swing hiring decisions... there used be times when american studies majors got to become PM-T at Amazon, those days are done. You need to be able to double as a solutions architect 4. Long tenures (5 years + at your last company). More and more recruiters have pointed this out to me... this wasn't a big deal in 2021 but now apparently anything less than 3 years is short... 5. Senior PM or above title (preferably principal so you can get down-leveled). No one has time to mentor juniors sorry... you're expected to get ramped up and produce within a month no matter what they tell you... and you're responsible for your own ramp up. 6. Have experience with AI/ML like putting systems into production... if you don't have the words "ML" or "AI" on your resume in 2024... go be a welder or something... 7. A well known reputation in the product community.. if you're lenny or shreyas doshi you're getting hired period. 8. You worked with the hiring manager or skip before and they love you. Honestly this should be number 1... but 9. A referral from a PM on the team you're looking to get hired on. 10. You're good-looking and really fit. This does matter... sorry. 11. You're white or black. Being Indian/Asian will hurt you... being white is neutral and being black will help you. 12. You have deep domain experience, which is a slight boost but it doesn't matter if you don't... it won't hurt you if you have most of the above. If you have all these points. The world will BEND around you to give you offers The market will correct itself eventually don't worry. But try to start hitting as many of these points as possible
It's not a great time to be job hunting for any position. Right now, the best way to find something is through your network and even then it's tough going.
10a. Wear a puffer or patagonia vest.
What if you only do 10.a?
Do you happen to be a founder of a company or startup? I come from a top university in the USA, and while I've never spoken condescendingly to others like your post suggests, I wonder if you might be one of those middle management gatekeepers who overestimate their importance in the corporate machine. There are world-class businesses established by individuals who didn't possess the prerequisites you've listed for product management. Some even became founders without those credentials. Flashy qualifications aren't necessary to make an impact in this world; talent, hard work, and a willingness to learn can take someone far. What about those who can't afford an MBA? Or those who prefer hands-on contribution over pursuing a PhD? And what about those who are trying to get their lives back on track after facing hardships? Your post reflects a narrow-minded perspective, which unfortunately discourages or exploits many others.
dude shut up... I'm saying it like it is... I don't care about who gets hired or who doesn't. I'm just documenting what is happening. Don't hate the player, hate the game
Sure, 'documenting.' Because clearly, belittling others' efforts and aspirations is a vital contribution to the world of documentation. Keep up the enlightening work. lol Also, not hating the player. Just trying to challenge some norms, and if enough stand together, maybe the exploitative practices will stop.
I have most of the above and still not many interview loops. Not sure how to figure out the game now
You got Stanford degree and still not getting calls?
Well, I do get calls but not from the companies I would like from and certainly not the level (Director and above ).