Was Your Product Manager Application Rejected?

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Let’s face it: rejection is a difficult pill to swallow. And that’s especially true when it comes to job applications. 

As a product manager candidate, get on board with the idea that you probably won’t land the first job you apply for. It could happen, but you don’t want to get your hopes up.

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According to the Lehigh University Center for Career & Professional Development, “it takes 100-200+ applications to receive one job offer.”

That number takes into consideration all job openings across all industries, so you may have a different experience. But again, you need to prepare yourself for anything that could come your way.

With all this in mind, you’re likely to find yourself facing a very important question: why was your product manager application rejected?

Before you can answer this question, there are two stages where rejection is possible:

• Pre-interview: Rejection at this stage means one of two things. You never hear back from the hiring company or they contact you to say that you were not selected for the next step. 
• Post-interview: You made it to the “interview round,” but the hiring company decided to go in a different direction.

How you hear about your rejection often depends on how you found the job opening. For example:

• Apply online: If you find a PM job opening online and apply for it, you’re most likely to hear nothing or receive an email stating that your application was rejected.
• Get approached by a recruiter: In this case, the hiring company will keep in touch with your recruiter. If you don’t make it through to the next round, your recruiter will inform you. 
• Introduction through a connection: If you’re not a “good fit,” you’ll either hear from the hiring company directly or your connection (depending on their job title and status at the company). 

Note: Many job applications — especially in the tech space — never hear back from the hiring company. And even if they do, they don’t typically find out the reason for their rejection. 

PM Application Rejection: Things to Know

At this point, you should better understand two important points about applying for a PM job and the potential for rejection:

• You can be rejected pre-interview or post-interview
• The “rejection process” depends largely on how you apply: on your own online, through a recruiter, or through a connection.

Now, let’s break down common reasons for rejection and what you can do if your product manager application is rejected at each stage. 

1. Applying With a Resume Online

Applying for a PM job online with a resume is the least common of the three approaches. However, it’s a path that many people follow, especially those who are new to this career path. 

Common reasons for rejection at this point include:

• Applying for a job that you don’t qualify for.
• A problem with your resume, such as a focus on generalist PM experience when applying for a specialized position (such as fintech or medical).

Tip: Use our product manager resume guide and template to rework your resume. 

2. Applying Through a Recruiter

When applying through a recruiter, you don’t have to worry about “job fit”.” The recruiter reached out to you for a reason. They believe you have what it takes to get hired and perform at a high level.

However, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive an offer. It’s a competitive space, and you can guarantee that the recruiter is in touch with other qualified candidates.

If you’re rejected through a recruiter, consult with them to learn what went wrong. Ask questions such as:

• What reason were you given for the rejection?
• Is there anything I could have done better?
• What did the company note as my strong points? My weak points?

The key here is to make a solid connection with your recruiter. They’re not the hiring manager, but the information they can provide is invaluable as you prepare for your next interview. 

3. Applying Through a Connection

In many ways, this is the same as applying through a recruiter. The primary difference is that you were introduced to the company by someone who already works there — perhaps even in the department you’re seeking employment.

Note: You may also be introduced to a hiring company by someone who doesn’t work there. For instance, a client of the company who you have worked with in the past.

Set yourself up for success by:

• Asking your connection for as much information on the position and company as they can share. Think about details such as why they’re hiring, desired skills and experience, and timeline. 
• Ensuring that your connection introduced you to the right person, such as the hiring manager. 
• Asking for feedback after the interview: Your connection may be able to consult with the hiring manager as to their overall impression and what comes next. 

If the process ends in rejection, once again double back with your connection to discuss the finer details. They may be able to share feedback from the company and advice for moving forward.

Final Thoughts

Most product manager candidates aren’t fortunate enough to receive a job offer after one application. Rejection is part of finding the perfect job, so embrace it.

Rejection can result from many things, with the most common being that interviewers expect answers to be given in a certain way. They’re looking for specific insight. The best way to prepare is to review common PM interview questions on our website and take our prep course. With this, you’ll know which questions to expect and how to answer each and every one that comes your way.

No matter the reason for rejection, don’t give up. It happens to everyone, but your future is bright. With our guidance, you’ll be better prepared and feel more confident in your ability to avoid rejection the next time around!