How do you overcome domain hiring bias while looking for product roles?

I don't think you'll like this answer, but I'm just going to tell it like I see it. I'm not sure it's a good use of time trying to overcome domain hiring preference in general (note - I'm intentionally not using "bias" here because I think it's the wrong word). My personal feeling is I'd rather have a great product manager than a domain expert almost any day of the week. It's easier for people to learn a domain than it is to learn to be a great product manager. But pragmatically, I realize not e ...Read More

This isn't easy and many companies, including Hex, are looking for domain expertise to maintain a super high velocity in driving value for users. Learning a domain takes a lot of time. However, there are things you can do to be a more effective interviewee when you don't domain experience: Demonstrate strong fundamental product skills (focus on the why and the outcome that you drove). Practice your interviews and come with strong preparation and communication. Focus on the effectiveness of your ...Read More

Innovation is best achieved by diversity of ideas. Diversity can be achieved by many ways - one of which is including views from multiple industries and domains. While hiring for a generalist role, it is important to leverage interview questions that are going after the skill vs. domain knowledge - I try to use questions that are not from my current industry. There are always a few specialist roles that require a deep understanding of the domain - but we're clear on those job requirements from t ...Read More

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 record of successfully managing products or projects across various industries, if applicable. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt can be as compelling as specific domain experience, as the cor ...Read More

In the past year, while searching to recruit for product management roles at Jit.io, a DevSecOps platform focused on simplifying continuous security for cloud applications, I often seek candidates with developer backgrounds or experience in security tools. This preference stems from the belief that such individuals possess a deeper understanding of the target persona and domain intricacies, facilitating more effective product management. However, to address domain hiring bias, I implement severa ...Read More

Domain experience is not at the top of the list of things I look for in a candidate. I have changed domains a couple of times in my career and it has helped me get a richer perspective. For this reason, I prefer to see some variety in product management candidates.  Domain experience can be a challenge in some scenarios and I have faced this problem in the past when interviewing for roles. There are a couple of techniques I have applied: Do enough research to learn the fundamentals. It is import ...Read More