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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comments
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.
Also MSFT stock is killing it, why do you want to leave?