The more harmonious the relationship is between the Product Manager (PM) and the Engineering Manager (EM) in the organization, the more likely it is that useful and valuable products get shipped. The PM and EM relationship is important to discuss because the lines of ownership are often so blurred that it results in a bit of conflict.
In some cases, a PM interview with an engineering manager will be part of the hiring process of a company. Product Managers will work closely with the engineering team so this process is necessary to see if the PM can work harmoniously with the rest, especially the Engineering
Did you know that Facebook annually hires what they call Rotational Product Managers (RPM) through their Facebook RPM Program? RPMs have to go through an 18-month learning experience but at the end of it, they will take on a full-time role as a Facebook Product Manager (PM).
Why Product Management? The question sounds like it only requires a straightforward answer. Some may be able to give a response outright but you may want to give your answer some thought.
The answer you provide will represent your purpose in becoming a Product Manager (PM).
If you don’t have PM experience, there are two ways for you to break into Product Management. One is to try your luck at applying to different openings armed with a solid PM resume. Two is to become an Associate Product Manager or APM.
While there is no one road to getting a Product Manager role
Do product managers need to code? The truth is, knowing how to code can help a PM communicate with the Engineering Team better. As someone who wants to break into Product Management, knowing how to code can help one land a tech role in the field, but it’s not always a requirement.
It is possible to become a Product Manager even if you don’t have technical skills. Unless you’re applying for a specific PM position such as Technical Product Manager, the hard skills the role requires will depend on the product and the company.
If you’re considering a career as a product manager, you might have noticed that many companies add the word “technical” to the job title. You’ve likely come away from that experience asking yourself, “Technical Product Manager vs Product Manager – what’s the difference?”
When preparing for your Product Manager interview, it’s always a good idea to look for the right resources to help you land the role. Luckily, both free and paid ones are abundant. One of which is, “Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology”
Crafting the perfect product manager resume is much like creating the perfect product pitch – you have to really sell it. In this case, the “it” is you. When you walk into an interview for a Product Manager position, it’s important that you are able to effectively communicate exactly why you’re the best person for the job. A winning resume will help you accomplish that.
Product management is a demanding career but many still aspire to take on the challenge. Being responsible for a product’s success is a huge responsibility but the process is both meaningful and rewarding.
One of the trending product strategy interview questions asked in the PM Exercises community is this: “If you were the PM for the Windows phone, how would you make it successful?”
