What tips would you share with someone who is looking to breaking into product management?

As someone who moved from a CSM role into product management, I get asked this question frequently. While my answers are specific to my own experience, I've seen them work for others that have moved into product roles as well: The most straightforward way to break into product management is to make an internal move. However, this does not mean you should take whatever job is open as a means to an end. If you come into a role with a clear objective to leverage that into a PM job, it won't be rece ...Read More

I have two tips for breaking into Product Management but I'm sure there are many more.  The first is to work with Product Management in your current role and/or talk to current Product Managers. Product Management can be seen as a very appealing job but many don't understand the day to day and trade offs of the role. By working with or informationally interviewing folks who are currently doing the job, you'll get more information on whether the job is actually for you and what appeals to you abo ...Read More

I typically suggest to try to pivot into product management by changing a few variables but not too many - so you have a few strengths to rely on. When you start a new PM role, you are exposing yourself to potential changes on multiple dimensions (in order of likelihood): Function/ craft: This one is non negotiable Manager: You will be reporting to someone else with new expectations and unknown working styles Team: Potentially joining a new set of teammates Domain: You may need to learn a new do ...Read More

I start working as a product manager from one unexpected opportunity from a career of 35 years of project management. The role of a product manager is one of those less well-defined I have ever encountered. It can mean very different kinds of jobs in different companies.  I would first advise reading about the experience of actual product managers in various companies via their blogs or some articles. and I would then consider if this is what I want to do. I would try to reinforce some of the sk ...Read More