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Sheila Hara

AMA: Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Management Career Path

January 31 @ 10:00AM PST
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Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Management Career Path
Top Questions
What has been the most surprising thing about being a Director that you only realized after you were promoted?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
The most surprising aspect of transitioning from a Product Manager to a Director role was the significant shift in the nature of customer feedback I encountered. While I appreciated gaining more context and visibility at the strategic level, I found that my interactions with customers became pre......Read More
409 Views
1 request
How do you think about staying within a company versus looking for opportunities outside? When do you know it's time to leave?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
When considering whether to stay at a company or look for opportunities elsewhere, I always reflect on the reasons I joined the role initially and evaluate how these align with my current experience. For me, a significant factor is the leadership I work under. I often say, "I join a role for vari......Read More
357 Views
1 request
As a hiring manager, what do the best product management candidates have in common?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
As a hiring manager, I've found that the best product management candidates share a common trait: intellectual curiosity. They possess a relentless desire to learn, explore new ideas, and understand the 'why' behind user needs and market trends. This curiosity drives them to continuously seek imp......Read More
385 Views
1 request
What should you do if your Manager is not helping you grow and you see little growth opportunities? Should you stay at the job and try to learn as much as possible or should you definitely leave the company and look for a new opportunity?
How much time should you give a job and a manager to see if they are a fit in your growth and career?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
When facing a situation where your manager isn't supporting your growth and opportunities seem limited, it essentially boils down to two choices: 1. Change your environment within the company, or 2. Change your environment by moving to a new company. If you feel stagnant, first attempt to seek ne......Read More
348 Views
1 request
How do you sell 'no, not now' to stakeholders?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
As a Product Manager, selling 'no, not now' to stakeholders involves clear communication and strategic reasoning. Transparency is key! Explain the rationale behind prioritizing other tasks or projects, focusing on data and the overall product strategy. Emphasize how current priorities align with......Read More
390 Views
2 requests
What is your favorite product management interview question and the best answer you've heard?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
In a product management interview, my favorite question came up: "What is the best product you have ever used, and why?" I took a creative approach and presented myself as the product. I detailed my skills, experiences, and the unique value I could bring to the team, framing my abilities and pote......Read More
427 Views
1 request
What metrics do you use to justify a pay raise?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
To justify a pay raise, it's important to present metrics that clearly demonstrate your value, impact, and contributions to the organization. Here are some key metrics and accomplishments you might use: 1. Performance Against Goals: Highlight how you've met or exceeded specific performanc......Read More
352 Views
1 request
What are the biggest frustrations you have as a product manager?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
As a Product Manager, a key frustration is the pace of progress; often, things don't move as swiftly as I'd like in response to evolving market trends. However, this challenge is also an opportunity. It allows me to use my influence to motivate and unify the team. This role as a 'pulling force' ......Read More
352 Views
1 request
What framework do you use when assessing a new opportunity at a different company?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
As a Product Manager, when assessing a new opportunity at a different company, I use a three-pronged framework: alignment, growth, and impact. 1. Alignment: Does the company’s vision, culture, and product align with my personal and professional values? 2. Growth: Will this role offer oppo......Read More
378 Views
1 request
What's a typical product manager career path?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
In the field of product management, there isn't really a "typical" career path. Product management is highly flexible. Some product managers may transition into related fields like marketing, sales, or even corporate strategy. Others might find their niche in a particular stage of product manage......Read More
426 Views
1 request
As a non-it professional how does one start in PM career? What are transferable skill sets required for a middle management PM role?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
If you're a non-IT professional looking to start a career in product management, it's important to recognize and leverage your transferable skills. Many skills that you might have developed in other roles can be extremely valuable in a PM position, even if they don't seem directly related at firs......Read More
395 Views
1 request
What are some of examples of ways you have been able to get promoted or support your colleagues to get promoted at the same company?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
To achieve promotions and support colleagues in their career advancement within the same company, I advocate a systematic framework. First, it involves 'auditing your own skills' to understand one's current capabilities. Next, we 'audit the role' desired, pinpointing the specific skills and exper......Read More
359 Views
1 request
How do you get into a saas based company if you have no experience working in one and what are some of the core competencies you need when you are starting out?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
To get into a SaaS-based company without prior experience, focus on highlighting transferable skills and demonstrating a strong understanding of the SaaS model and its market dynamics. As a starting point, emphasize core competencies like customer-centric thinking, strategic planning, and data-dr......Read More
371 Views
1 request
Do you think it makes sense to grow PM competence within the organization or hire people from the broader market to succeed faster?
i.e. how much should we focus on and invest in the teammates who could switch/transfer in their roles vs pay for the new PMs coming from other organizations as new hires?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
apologies for the long read, in advance When considering the growth of Product Management competence within an organization, it's crucial to strike a balance between nurturing internal talent and bringing in fresh perspectives from the broader market. Both approaches have their unique advantages......Read More
392 Views
1 request
How do you overcome domain hiring bias while looking for product roles?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
To overcome domain hiring bias in product roles, emphasize the transferability of your PM skills and your aptitude for learning in your resume. Highlight experiences that showcase your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and your knack for quickly grasping new domains. Stress on your track r......Read More
374 Views
1 request
How can I navigate a situation where I am frequently assigned project management tasks rather than product management responsibilities, and where there seems to be a lack of emphasis on product vision and impact-based product building?
Sheila Hara
Sheila Hara
Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management • January 31
In situations where you're frequently assigned project management tasks instead of product management responsibilities, it's important to proactively address the issue: 1. Communicate Clearly: Have a candid conversation with your manager about your role and the type of tasks you're being as......Read More
389 Views
1 request