How I landed my first product manager job

Three things that helped me land my first product job, and how you can use these tactics to stand out too

In this post I’ll share three things that helped me land my first job in product management, with no product experience. Disclaimer, I’m old, and this all happened more than 10 years ago, but the tactics I used are still relevant. I know this because I’ve been on the other side of the table a number of times as a hiring manager and interviewer. Read all the way to the end for tips on how you can use these same three tactics to stand out if you’re trying to break into product management.

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Before I became a product manager, I was a data analyst for about 5 years. I got to work closely with product managers, but I was stuck in the numbers, buried in SQL queries and spreadsheets. I wanted to build stuff, make big decisions, and be BFFs with the engineers. I really wanted to be a product manager. But since I didn’t have any experience, when I applied for jobs, I got crickets in return. 🦗

Eventually I did get a call back from a recruiter, I interviewed, and got the job. I was hired as an Associate Product Manager at a startup in 2012.

Looking back, there are three things I believe helped me land that first product job: 

#1: I had worked in a related role

I had already spent a few years working in a related role, as a data analyst. I got two things out of my time as a data analyst: a) exposure to the product development process because I was working closely with product managers, and b) skills that allowed me to immediately deliver value to a product team even when I was still learning the ropes of the product manager job. This can be a great tactic if you’re trying to move into a product role at the same company. But in my case I used my data skills to get my foot in the door at a different company.

#2: I had built stuff on my own

Before I ever even applied to a product role I already had builder experience. I had started three small companies and a non-profit. This gave me a builder mentality, problem-solving skills, and most important: experience working with dev teams. Even though all my companies were flops, I had lessons learned from each and could talk about that informal product development experience in the interview.

#3: I was a superfan of the company’s product

I was passionate about the product. I’m talking superfan status. I wasn’t a superfan of every company I applied for, but I was in love with the place where I got hired. I showed up to my interview with 3 feature briefs, printed out, and I told the hiring manager, “Even if I don’t get this job, these are features that I’d really love to see as a user.”

In your very first product role, it helps a lot if you’re passionate about the product you’re working on. You’ll be able to easily empathize with the user if you are one yourself. And if you already have a strong grasp on the user experience and how the product works, you can focus on learning how to be a great product manager.

Now, how can you apply these tactics to your own job hunt to help you stand out?

#1: Work in a related role

If you’re already working closely with a product team, great! Think about how your skills in this role contribute to the development of your company's products. If you’re not in a related role, you could ask the product team if you can help with a “20% project” and/or shadow them. (Side note: volunteering to take on a small project for the product team sounds easy but it can be a big ask of a PM who is already really busy and now needs to figure out how to carve off some work for you, plus mentor you to be successful. So don’t be discouraged if they say no to your offer to help. Shadowing might be a better option.)

You could also find out if your product team has open meetings where people can come to listen and provide feedback. Share your feedback there, and most importantly, listen and learn how the product team talks about user problems and the development process. The point of all this is to get exposure to the product development process at your company, and get involved if you can.

#2: Build stuff

You may or may not have success getting in with the product team at your company, but this tip you have full control over. Just build stuff! There are so many no-code and low-code tools out there, you can definitely build little things. The key is to identify a problem and try out solutions. For example, if I was going to take my own advice today, I’d probably build an app to help me keep track of habits I’m trying to adopt for myself, like waking up early and meditating daily. I’d ask a few friends and family to try it out and improve the app based on their feedback.

What would you build? Identify a problem, build a simple solution, share it with other people who have the problem, ask for feedback, learn from the feedback, and improve the product. Bonus points if you can find an engineer or designer to help so you gain experience working with these core partners. You don’t have to be a product manager on paper to develop products. Just start building things that interest you.

#3: Be a superfan

Apply to jobs at products you're passionate about. When you’re in an entry-level role, the passion will take you far. Be an expert in the product, and don’t be shy to show your passion in the interview process. 

If you want to hear more stories like this, about how people landed their first product job, let me know in the comments!