How do you break into industry from consulting?

When transitioning from consulting to product management, focus on building these key skills:

1. Clarity of thought and communication

2. Problem-solving abilities

3. Comfort with ambiguity and change

4. Collaboration and influence

Seek opportunities that allow you to develop deep product knowledge and context in a specific domain. This 'domino effect' of expertise can significantly boost your PM career.

For the transition itself:

1. Client-side is often the quickest route, leveraging your existing relationships and industry knowledge.

2. Startup experience can be more valuable than a formal degree, especially given the rapidly evolving tech landscape with AI.

3. While an MBA can be helpful, it may not be necessary given the fast-paced changes in technology.

There are many ways to move from Product Management consulting to Product Management in industry. Shifting to a current or former client is a popular path. But if you don’t have those connections or aren’t particularly jazzed about your clients, there are other aspects of consulting that you can leverage in an independent search:

1. The alumni network. Seek out firm alums who have moved into companies that you would like to work for, ideally in the function you are targeting (Product Management). They will understand where you’re coming from, and be able to provide tailored advice on how they transitioned, referrals into relevant groups, and help to navigate the organization and process.

2. Your diverse client experiences and projects. When preparing for interviews, choose reference situations with problems, industry, and tech similar to what those Product Management leaders would be looking for you to solve.

3. Case interview skills. Depending on how long you’ve been in consulting, case interviewing may be natural to you now – but if not, brush up by practicing your approach to breaking down ambiguous problems and verbalizing your thought process at every step.