AMA: Zoom Head of Product Marketing, App Marketplace, Sharon Markowitz on Product Marketing Career Path
November 7 @ 10:00AM PST
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We will email you Sharon's answers
to these questions after the event in case you can't make it.
Any tips for someone in sales looking to move to product marketing ?
Im currently in sales and am interested in pursuing a career in product marketing . I would love some advice on possible courses or best practices .
Have you been at a company that did not understand the core purpose or value of product marketing? If so, how did you handle the situation?
Is it necessary to add on digital marketing skills to jump from head of product marketing to VP marketing or Head marketing roles. If so, what certifications do you suggest?
What's surprised you most about leading product marketing teams at the Director/ SVP level?
Do you think aspiring Product Marketing Managers should focus in one specific segment of the field, or be all around PMMs?
For example, some companies have roles for product marketing managers specifically working on sales enablement. Or specifically working on customer research / competitor intel. Do you think for a long term career in PMM it's better to be well rounded in all these areas or focus on one specific area within PMM?
What are the major differences you see between high level IC's (lead/principal) and Directors in terms of PMM skills and leadership? Are there any specific recommendations you have for making that first jump to a Director of PMM role?
In a company in which GTM, product launches, and roadmaps have until now been handled by C-level execs, how should product marketing "break in" to try to influence and get involved?
How can someone who does not have 'Product Marketing' in their job title, stand out during the hiring process if they have the skills to be successful in the role?
How do you typically go about finding new PMMs for your team? Is it mostly recruitment based or do you search within your network?
I'm trying to break into a PMM role after 5 years of performance marketing and branding (1 of which was in a MM role with a heavy product focus).
I'm unsure if I should spend more time networking or cold applying here in the Bay Area.
What are the factors you considered when you chose to pursue B2B vs. B2C product marketing? Can you comment on the different career trajectory of B2B vs B2C product marketers?
Besides PM and more senior roles, what are some realistic pivots out of PMM?
I am starting to realize how important it is to be tied to a revenue-driving function in a company in order to have stability and PMM seems to be one function let go frequently in these layoffs the past few years. Most people want to jump to PM which then makes that even more competitive in this market. Beyond going up the ladder, what are some successful exits you've seen from PMM?
What does a product marketing career path look like and what are the core TRANSFERABLE competencies that are required for each level as your career advances?
What are the specific skillsets to break into a Head of PMM role? How to actively develop them while also taking care of operational, everyday tasks as a senior PMM in a relatively small team?
How do we develop our portfolio and from where do we develop the case studies for them.
What tech companies do you feel like give product marketers the lead on owning a product and shaping it?
I know that Microsoft is more product marketing centric while Google has Product Managers at the lead. What other tech companies do you know of that put product marketers as the lead owner on products?