Bijan Shahrokhi 
Hey there! Want to land your dream product manager job? We’ve got you covered.
Check out our 2,500+ product manager interview questions database with answers from expert product managers.
Article Contents
There’s more than one way to secure a product manager (PM) job. While it’s natural to begin your job search online, that’s only one option.
Another idea is to network your way to a PM job. With this approach, you rely heavily on your network to find opportunities, craft your resume accordingly, and excel in the interview process.
But of course, that’s easier said than done. There’s a right and wrong way to network your way to a PM job, and we’re here to show you the ropes.
The first thing you must do is identify your current circumstances. That will give you an idea of which of the following three approaches makes the most sense.
Transitioning Within Your Current Company
For example, if you’re currently working as a business analyst or product designer at a tech company, you’re in a position to transition into a PM role.
Your primary goal is to meet the needs of the product managers as much as possible. Help them with day-to-day tasks — as your schedule allows — to showcase your skills and position you for a future transition.
Think about it like this. You want to be a product manager for the product manager in an unofficial capacity. Focus on details such as:
- How, when, and where you can provide assistance
- Understanding their daily responsibilities
- Pinpointing their wants, needs, and pain points
While you’re doing all this, don’t be shy about sharing your career goals and asking for their guidance. The more on-the-job education you receive, the better chance you have of moving into a PM role in the future. The company already has something to evaluate you on, and you have a close contact who can speak to your abilities.
Working from the Outside to the Inside
Another way to network your way to a PM job is to make a list of tech companies or startups that you’re excited about. Maybe you’ve used one of their products in the past. Or perhaps you’re familiar with their industry through your past employment.
From there, reach out to the CEO or product team to introduce yourself, share your thoughts on their product, and learn more about their vision. You can make a strong impression by having an intellectual conversation about the product and product strategy. There’s no guarantee it will result in a job offer, but you show that you’re knowledgeable, capable, and possibly even qualified for a position with the company.
This is a strategy I successfully used throughout my product management career. For example, in my early days as a PM, I emailed the CEO of a company that had recently raised $40 million. I simply told him I loved the product and wanted to be part of it.
Within an hour, he emailed me back and we struck up a conversation about the product, company, vision, and where I may be able to fit in.
From there, I flew to a conference to meet the CEO in person. That was my way of showing them how serious I was about working for the company in the future.
Finally, I was invited to an interview, received an offer, and everything worked out in the end.
Take an hour or so to identify companies that are interesting to you and connect with people who currently work within the organization. You can email, engage with them on social media, or ask for an introduction through your current network.
Attend Industry Events
Your final option is to attend events. Choose events that are relevant to the companies you’re applying for or the particular industries that interest you.
For example, if you want to work in fintech, book your ticket to the biggest conferences of the year in this space.
Your goal is to eventually land a PM job, but don’t go into the event with only this on your mind. Attend these events to:
- Learn more about companies that interest you
- Build relationships with key employees who are also in attendance
- Share your knowledge, interests, and skills
- Talk about potential openings
A job offer during an event can happen, but it’s not the only indicator of success. Making strong connections with personnel at several companies is a good step in the right direction.
Final Tips
Don’t worry about whether or not a particular company is actively hiring for a PM role. There doesn’t need to be an open job description for you to contact the company, share your story, and ask if they’re hiring for any roles that suit you.
Also, the best way to show you’re serious about “all things product” is to actually build a product from the ground up. Not only does it prove that you’re serious, but it allows you to showcase your tech and management skills. And that’s essential to becoming a product manager.
By networking — such as in the ways described above — you may come across a role that’s not yet public. Or when an opening does become available, the hiring manager will immediately think of you.
As your networking pays off and you begin to receive interview requests, you can lean on PM Exercises for all your preparation needs. From group practice interviews to an interview prep course to a long list of potential PM interview questions, we have you covered. Proper preparation will give you the confidence you need to succeed!
