How Long Should You Stay at Your Product Manager Job?

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It’s a common question facing many people who are employed as product managers: how long should you stay at your product manager job?

The first thing you need to know is that there’s no right or wrong answer. Some people are always looking to make their next move, while others are more comfortable staying in their comfort zone. Don’t beat yourself up trying to find the perfect answer. 

The simple answer to this question is “it depends.” Overall, you should stay at your current product manager job as long as it serves you in achieving your objectives and reaching your career-related goals. 

4 Reasons to Stay Put in Your PM Job

There’s no shortage of factors to pay attention to when deciding what to do next. Here are four reasons why you may want to stay put for the time being:

1. A promotion is possible

For example, if you’re in line to receive a promotion from product manager to senior product manager, it may be best to stay where you are. Not only does this move you up the career ladder, but it also comes with an increase in responsibility. And of course, you may receive a salary bump, too. 

If you move on too soon, you could find yourself making a lateral move to another company. With that, it’s possible that you could stunt your career growth. 

2. You’re waiting for a product launch

There’s no better feeling than seeing a product through from conception to launch. If you’re waiting for a product to launch — a product that you’ve put a lot of time and effort into — you may want to stick around. This will give you a sense of satisfaction, along with something powerful to add to your LinkedIn profile and resume. 

3. You’re due to receive equity

It’s never a good time to jump ship if you have equity coming down the pipeline. Stick it out for the time being — even if you’re ready to move on — so that you don’t miss out. Answer questions such as:

• How much equity are you due to receive?
• When do you receive the equity?
• Do you care about getting equity in the company?

Leaving too soon could cost you equity that could be worth thousands or maybe even millions. 

4. Job security

Job security may be important to you for many reasons. Maybe you’re the type of person who works best when you’re in your comfort zone. Maybe you’re the sole provider for your family. Perhaps you’re saving money for a big purchase, such as a new home. 

You can’t overlook the power of job security. There’s something to be said for having a position in which you’re comfortable and not always concerned about losing your job. 

Tips for Helping You Make a Choice

Now that you know some of the better reasons to stay at your current product manager job, let’s dive into some tips for helping you make the right choice. 

1. Don’t change just because you’re challenged

You don’t want to be known as a product manager who looks for a change the second they’re challenged. Rather than run from challenges and roadblocks, embrace them with the goal of learning and growing. This will benefit you as a product manager over the long run. 

The industry you’re working in may be small, and people know each other in the product management space. If you move on from your current position — especially if you do so on bad terms — it could come back to harm you during your job search. 

As a general rule of thumb, staying at a job for less than 18 months is a red flag. Even if you think you have a good reason for quickly leaving a position, it may show that you don’t have the best judgment skills in picking the right team and/or struggle to get along with others. 

2. Find your next opportunity first

This holds true in every industry. If you’re on good terms with your current employer, don’t make a change until you have your next opportunity lined up. For example:

• Do you have a firm job offer from a company that you would like to work at?
• Are you interested in changing industries, such as from fintech to blockchain?
• Are you interested in starting your own company?

Don’t get ahead of yourself by quitting your current job with hopes that you’ll figure out your next move on the fly. Give yourself peace of mind by knowing exactly what you plan on doing. That way, all you have to do is carry out your plan. 

3. Focus on your career path 

Start with reviewing the potential career path at your current job. Is there room to move from product manager to senior product manager? Is there an opportunity to go even higher up the ladder? 

You know your short and long-term career goals better than anyone else. Some of them are related directly to your career path — such as your title and responsibilities — but others are related to details such as:

• The industry you’re in and whether you want to stay there. 
• The industry you want to join. 
• The opportunity to gain exposure to more people in your company and space. 
• The potential to increase your salary without changing companies. 

A sound understanding of the product manager career path and what you want to accomplish can help make your decision much easier. 

Final Thoughts

Make sure you feel that making a shift will land you in a better place. Make sure that leaving your current position for a new PM job will help you grow your career.

If you decide to make a change and realize that you need to prepare for an upcoming PM interview, we’re here to help. Our library of 2500+ PM interview questions is a good starting point. And when you’re ready, find a mock interview partner to hone your skills and get into the “interview frame of mind.” It’s our job to help you make a good first impression!