Product Management newbie: Sales leader looking to learn!
Hi everyone, I'm a B.Tech. graduate in Computer Science with 7+ years of experience in sales and operations leadership, looking to transition into a product management role (PM/APM).
I recently completed a PG certification in Product Management with a specialization in Product Growth, where I honed my skills through projects and assignments. My passion for building and growing products led me to pursue this certification during a career break.
In my previous role (3 years), I spearheaded teams, driving revenue, growth, product adoption, customer satisfaction, and churn reduction.
I'm eager to leverage my experience and newfound knowledge in product management. Any referrals or leads would be greatly appreciated!
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B.Tech in Computer Science, yet chasing sales for 7 years? You are not a lost sailor, but a confused wanderer. Chose sales, now product management, what's next? Rocket science? Just because you've seen a buffet, doesn't mean you have to try every dish. "Dhobi ka kutta, na ghar ka na ghat ka", understand this. What's your actual passion, mate?
As a generalist, this hurt š¢
I started as a data analyst at an initial level ecommerce startup with 5 employees including founder, this involved almost everything to scale up and grow a business as my role was not just confined to analysis of data or market research. I did a lot more than that. Then, later explored sales to develop my presentation skills, objection handling, people management and understanding customers personas and how to solve their pain points with the product I was into and it helped me grow in sales. I may seem a confused wanderer to people or my career path may seem unconventional, but I strongly believe that job is not a race where you have to start and finish on the same track. Itās a journey of learning and acquiring new skills and challenging yourself to be better at what you what to be using your past experiences.
To answer your question about whatās my passion? It has always been thinking about ways and methods to grow a business and this is what I am planning to do ahead as well.
Wish you real good luck man. š¤
Iāve seen 2 of my classmates do exactly this around the same experience level. Itās been 5-6 years now and theyāre quite happy about it. There are multiple other examples in my not so close circles.
One of the classmates did it within his existing company. I think this can be a good option if you get a chance like that. Else, create a funnel of other channels. Keep at it, you should be able to do it sooner or later.
About the timing/marketā¦ its a tougher market for any job switch anyway and I think itās better now. I wouldnāt literally even consider market timing for this. The sooner you start working on it, the better.
And none of those 2 had comp science. So youād have a better shot.
Looking forward for such opportunity!!
Wouldn't say it's a great time for this
Well, this is what it is..!!
I had the same story as you when I made the transition back 2 years ago.
B.E - Computer Engineer
4.5 years in sales and now 2 years approx as a PM
Took sales job because I had less marks and couldn't get into placements neither I had interest in development nor I knew where my area of interest was in tech.
Always wanted to be in between of business and tech. Later discovered PM while working searched on internet
And Upskilled myself through free and paid resource.
Failed at approx 20 - PM interviews while doing sales jobs.
Left the sales job to take a break because of frustration to increase focus and then just one fine day I was offered a PM Role where I thought this would be my 21st failure in PM interview.
Career change is hard man you just need to have space for failure and determination to persist it, I would say markets will be tough situation will be tough/against you but keep failing until you reach a state where you question yourself " is there any thing else left I can fail at?"
I am grateful and suprised looking at your post it made me realise where I was earlier and where I am now today.
Tips -
- Revise your resume continuously and include PM related keywords.
- Show in resume that you helped PM team to provide feedback or participated in UAT to get a feature released.
- Getting PM interview from the perspective of career change is resume game keep on iterating until you are getting good number of calls.
- Note down the questions asked and prepare a interview script so that you can refer it and answer in interview.
- Get a mentor I had one who kept guiding me on Upskilling and interviews.
- Attach product portfolio in your resume it helps showcase your PM understanding and try to divert interview towards the portfolio so that you can advertise your understanding.
Best of luck Bro š» š
Recently made this video though itās for devs to PM but might help you too: https://youtu.be/L7lhjPj4Eic?feature=shared
Apply for Product Ops roles. Good bridge to PM side of things.
Okay. Will check for such opportunities