Translating your PM title

Jan 21, 2018 17 Comments

Hi Blinders. A friend and I are talking about leaving Microsoft for higher growth pastures.

She’s a Program Manager/PM at Microsoft. Her role fits Product Manager roles at typical tech companies. But when she applied to Product Manager roles, recruiters want her to instead interview for Program Manager roles, which don’t fit what she does at all. She’s tried clarifying in the description part of her resume that she manages the technical and some business aspects of the product - to, you know, clue recruiters into what she actually does. She’s tried talking with them to explain she’s more of a product manager. So far, recruiters can’t get over her Program Manager title. (Maybe these are atypical “need to fit you in a box based on your title” people?)

QUESTION: Would it be okay to list her job title as Product Manager...to get over this translation hump?

Replies from Program Managers, Product Managers, recruiters, and all who have encountered this problem welcome - thanks!

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TOP 17 Comments
  • Amazon
    Itouchyou

    Go to company page Amazon

    Itouchyou
    Anyone remotely familiar with PM at Microsoft knows you’re bullshitting if you put Product Manager on your profile. The PM role’s responsibilities at Microsoft just don’t mesh with the industry definition of product management unless you’re a GPM or higher. Most Microsoft PMs are closer to TPM.
    Jan 22, 2018 1
  • Yes. All MSFT PMs face this. It's made worse by post MBA product marketing managers writing 'Product Manager' on their LinkedIn and the hiring manager refusing to believe that there's no 'product manager' designation at MSFT.

    Problem with blatantly lying about designation is that if an ex MSFT person sees it or called for reference, all relevant people will wonder what's up with this candidate. For example, I've never hired a single individual after finding out they misstated something on their CV, that's usually the end of the conversation.

    It's really hard to get to an interview, but once you get there it's better to explain to the hiring manager / PM / staff.

    If you're talking to recruiters trying to get a real PM job, you're doing it wrong. Get interview through friends.
    Jan 21, 2018 0
  • Yelp
    BDkP87

    Go to company page Yelp

    BDkP87
    I don't know how easy is it for companies to find out your exact title. Also even the PM role is extremely subjective and varies a lot from company to company and team to team. No body cares about LinkedIn title so you can add product manager title there and get invites from recruiters. On the resume you can keep the title vague (like technical product/program manager) and submit it. It all depends upon your interview performance tbh.
    Jan 21, 2018 0
  • Never lie on a resume
    Jan 21, 2018 0
  • Yelp
    BDkP87

    Go to company page Yelp

    BDkP87
    Is this part of the Bing team? I know some Bing PMs who just focus on execution and barely on strategy which is like a program manager. PMs are usually expected to create and set a vision for their product. At MSFT all the strategy is set by SVPs the program manager just executes.

    Also MSFT stock is killing it, why do you want to leave?
    Jan 21, 2018 0