Product Management- Confused about my career
So I’m almost 2 years into being a PM post my MBA. I graduated from a decent top 20 a school in India, unfortunately got PPOed against my wishes in an Indian Bank. Role was PM but work was anything but PM.
After a year, I’m desperation, I moved out to a fintech. The learning has been immense and I have managed many important projects so far in the last 10 months. However, the culture is pretty bad and there’s 0 support, I am solely managing the function. The workload also is too much (earlier there were 2PMs but my senior was let go and now everything is on me)
It’s leading to immense stress and anxiety. My CV will get ruined but I want to move out again. I’ve tried speaking to my manager but he’s good for nothing. I also desperately want to move out of Mumbai
I feel I can’t move back to a larger organisation now and startups scare me, even though the learning curve was amazing
I am lost and don’t know how to move ahead, each day is killing me
you've lot of leverage. use it wisely. hold up. figure out better opportunities in adjacent industry/company/sector.
use time wisely. apply and get referrals at companies you really look forward to.
so far as the interviews go- start preparing case interviews and get real good at it.
Makes sense. I’ve already started preparing for case studies and PM interviews but not sure what sort of companies would want to hire me, I think I’m restricted to Fintech now. I’m not opposed to being in fintech either but I eventually want to move to bigger organisations.
I understand leverage but wouldn’t recruiters see it as a red flag, first company post MBA within 14 months and seeking new roles after 10 months in next org?
Exactly use your leverage. You said you are the only PM left in the org. How replacable are you ? How extreme can they go if you start using your leverage. Start slowly demanding. Test the waters then see how it goes.
It's not you.
Its the role and ecosystem
But sometimes I get self doubt, twice I struck out in terms of managers, one was an abusive toxic sadist and the other was a deceitful pleasant in front will stab with daggers on the back type. No matter how much I try to work hard, things don’t seem to be getting better.
Wait, are you M or F?
Regardless. It's the culture. Don't think about your CV. By the time you restart preps, land interviews and offers it'll be a couple months.
If this is a startup it can always be explained as a fast and intense stint.
Exactly in the same boat. 4+ years of PM experience in Indian Banks, work is anything but PM. Trying to switch into Tech Program manager roles in large orgs (non bank), however it's very difficult to even get shortlisted.
I got desperate after my first year at a bank and ended up in a fix either ways. I’ve now learnt many tech PM concepts and tools but the work environment is pathetic
