How to Choose an Online Product Manager Course

When it comes to product management, a deep understanding of your customers, the market, and the competition is crucial. 

A product manager is responsible for the strategic planning and tactical execution of a product, from its conception to its retirement. The role of a product manager is to drive the product vision and strategy and to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s overall goals. They need to be able to work with cross-functional teams to bring a product to market.

Becoming a product manager requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. While some people have a natural talent for product management, others need to learn the skills necessary to succeed through a course or training program. 

If you’re interested in breaking into product management or changing companies, taking an online product manager course is one of the best ways to position yourself for success. But there’s a question to answer: how do you choose the right one for you?

Here are the details that will help you make an informed decision:

The format of the course

Product manager courses are available in a variety of formats, including online, in-person, and self-paced. Online courses offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule, while in-person courses offer the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates. 

Self-paced courses allow you to work through the material at your own pace, but may lack the structure and accountability of other formats. 

Consider which format will work best for your learning style and schedule. This is imperative to retaining knowledge and using it to your advantage in the future. 

The difficulty level of the course

Product manager courses are available at various levels of difficulty, from introductory to advanced. If you’re new to product management and are taking on your first interview, an introductory course may be the best option. It’s one of the best ways to get your feet wet as you build a solid foundation. 

However, if you have experience in the field, an advanced course may be more appropriate. Consider your current knowledge and experience, and choose a course that will challenge you and help you grow.

Course content

An online product manager course can cover a wide range of topics, including product strategy, product development, product sense, and analytics. Consider which topics are most relevant to your needs and choose a course that covers them in depth. 

Address questions such as:

• How frequently are the course materials updated? 
• Are they well-structured? 
• Are they easy to understand? 

Access to up-to-date and well-structured course materials can be beneficial in learning and understanding the concepts.

Most importantly, carefully review the course outline before making an investment. This will help you understand what’s included, what’s not, and what you’re most likely to take away from the course.

Here’s an example from our product manager interview preparation course.

With this outline, there’s no guessing as to what you’ll learn. Everything is spelled out. All you have to do is decide if it aligns with your career goals. 

The instructor of the course

The instructor of any product manager course can make a big difference in the quality of the education you receive. Look for instructors with real-world experience in product management and a strong track record of teaching. Check the instructor’s credentials, such as their education and work experience, to ensure they have the qualifications to teach the course.

Sticking with the example above, Bijan Shahrokhi, the founder of PM Exercises, is the lead instructor of the PM Exercises course. Consider the following:

Bijan’s last role was Head of Product at Mina Protocol, a layer-one blockchain protocol that uses zero-knowledge proofs to offer a scalable decentralized blockchain protocol. Mina’s market cap during the last crypto bull run was over $2B.

Prior to Mina, Bijan was Head of Product at blockchain compliancy protocol Harbor (acquired by Bitgo), and decentralized live streaming protocol Livepeer.

Bijan currently advises multiple projects in product management.

That’s the type of experience to look for in a course instructor. This gives you confidence that the instruction you receive will improve your skill set and move you closer to landing your dream job.

The cost of the course

Product manager courses can vary widely in cost, from free to thousands of dollars. Consider your budget and choose a course that fits within it. Keep in mind that cost is not always indicative of the quality and that a more expensive course may not necessarily be better than a cheaper one. This is why it’s critical to determine what you’re getting in exchange for your investment. Answer questions such as:

• How long is the course? Is it self-paced?
• Who is the instructor?
• What is the course content?

Only after you have all this information can you decide if you’re comfortable paying for the course. 

The course duration

Product manager courses can be of different duration. Some may be short-term, like 2-3 days, while others may be long-term, like 6-8 months. Choose the one that fits your schedule. Long-term courses may be more comprehensive, but may also require a greater time commitment.

While everyone has their own wants and needs, a self-paced course is generally preferred. Sticking with the example above, our PM interview prep course includes 100+ video hours and 100+ online lessons. 

The course reviews

Read reviews of the course from students who have completed it. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from the course. Look for reviews from people with similar backgrounds and experience levels to your own. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded view of the course.

Take everything you read with a grain of salt while searching for common “themes” throughout the reviews. For instance, if students continually speak highly of the course material and the hands-on nature of the lessons, there’s a greater chance that you’ll have a similar experience.

Job assistance

Many product management courses offer job assistance to their students. This can include resume reviews and job placement assistance. This can be especially beneficial for students who are new to the field and are looking to secure their first product management role.

An introduction to potential employers can be one of the most valuable takeaways from a product manager prep course. This can greatly improve the likelihood of receiving a job offer upon completion of a course. 

Networking opportunities

Many product management courses offer networking opportunities to their students. This can include meetups, webinars, or even alumni groups. Networking can be an excellent way to build relationships with other product managers and learn from their experiences.

It’s always good to build a strong network as a product manager. This allows you to ask questions of other professionals, network for a PM job, and stay informed of what’s happening within the industry. 

Hands-on experience:

Some product management courses offer hands-on experience through regularly scheduled assignments. This can be an excellent way to learn by doing and to apply what you’ve learned in the course to real-world situations.

This is what makes a comprehensive, online program so valuable. Rather than read through the course material in a silo, a hands-on experience connects you with other students facing similar circumstances. And of course, the experience you gain can help you when interviewing or working as a product manager. 

The course schedule

Consider the course schedule and make sure it aligns with your own schedule. 

• Will you be able to attend live classes or will you need to watch pre-recorded lectures? 
• Will there be any required participation during specific hours?
• How long will it take to complete a self-paced course?

The best online product manager courses provide video material (so you can work at your own pace) and lessons.

If you’re going to invest in a course, make sure the schedule works for you. The more you put into a course the more you’ll get out of it. 

Interactive learning

Some courses may be more interactive than others, with online discussions, group projects, and other activities that allow you to collaborate with your peers. Consider if you prefer a more interactive course or if a self-study approach would better suit your learning style.

The best courses provide a mix of self-paced learning with live sessions. 

Personalized feedback

Some courses may offer personalized feedback on assignments and projects, which can be beneficial for your development. Look for courses that offer this type of feedback so you can have a more personalized learning experience.

It’s always nice to have access to the course instructor(s) and/or other students. This allows you to ask questions, receive feedback, and network for future opportunities. 

Access to resources

Consider if the course offers access to resources such as product management templates, tools, and best practices. This can be beneficial in helping you apply what you learn in the course to the interview process and your future job.

The best online PM courses provide lifetime access so you can revisit the material as often as needed.

Mentorship

Some courses may offer side-by-side mentorship or coaching opportunities where you can work with experienced product managers and receive guidance and advice. This can be a valuable resource for learning from professionals who have been in the field for some time.

And in many cases, the relationships you establish with mentors and coaches can pay off by way of future employment opportunities. There’s never a bad time to learn from an experienced product manager. 

Alumni network

Look for courses that have an active alumni network. This can be a great way to network with other product managers and learn from their experiences. Once again, this is an opportunity to grow your network of like-minded professionals. 

Continuous learning

Consider if the course offers any opportunities for ongoing learning, such as webinars, workshops, or online communities. Continuous learning can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and practices in product management.

One thing you’ll find out as an aspiring or current product manager is that learning never stops. There’s always something else you can add to your knowledge base to help you generate better results. And in many cases, this comes down to your ability to take advantage of continuous learning opportunities. 

Final word on choosing an online PM course

When it comes to product management, the learning never stops. Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices is crucial to being a successful product manager. 

By taking a course, you’ll gain a solid foundation of knowledge, but it’s important to continue learning and growing as a product manager.

In addition to the above-mentioned points, it’s also important to remember that the best product management course is the one that fits your individual needs. You may have to try out a few different courses before you find the one that’s right for you. And even after you’ve completed a course, you should continue to learn and grow as a product manager.

In conclusion, choosing the right product management course can be a difficult task, but by considering the format, level, content, instructor, cost, course materials, duration, reviews, job assistance, networking opportunities, hands-on experience, accreditation, certifications, course schedule, interactive learning, personalized feedback, access to resources, mentorship, alumni network and continuous learning of the course, you can find the one that’s right for you. 

Remember that while a course can teach you the skills you need to be a successful product manager, real-world experience is also important. So, don’t be afraid to take on internships or other entry-level roles to gain hands-on experience in the field.

If you have any questions about choosing a product manager course, contact us at [email protected] or explore our interview prep course. It’s geared toward the interview process, but also teaches lessons that will help you perform at your peak as a product manager.