I started my professional journey in software industry in 2010 as a Software Engineer. I was developing mobile apps and continued on that path for 8 years. During those 8 years I served both service based and product based organisations.
I was always fascinated how product team contributed towards product and the work they did. My inclination towards the role became stronger with time.
In 2018, my VP Product was in India for few days. During this time I got a chance to interact with him where I shared few ideas how can we improve our mobile product. I also shared my interest in Product. Few days later, my manager came to my seat and mentioned that VP Product wants to offer me a new role. And that is how I entered the product arena.
It is widely considered that when you transition into Product Management from an engineering role, you have to start from scratch. I however believe that you have already started. As an engineer, you already know many things that a Product Manager/ Product Owner does. It's just that now, you are sitting on the other side of the table.
Yesterday, I shared a tip - As an aspiring Product Manager, you should consider moving into Product Management early in your career. The reason is simple - financial expectation difference. As you gain experience, your income tends to increase. However, when you move into a different role, you have to start at entry level. As an aspiring Product Manager, that might be APM. It is obvious that there would be a certain difference between the income of a 5 year experienced engineer and an entry level APM. You can do the math.
Unless you are prepared for a full time masters that opens options to enter senior product management role. But that is altogether a broader and separate topic.
What can you do as an experienced professional to move into Product Management ?
Build relations with leadership
As an experienced professional, it's important to build strong relationships with company leadership. Get to know executives and decision-makers, share your interest in product management, and seek their advice on making the transition. Demonstrating your leadership potential and ability to work cross-functionally will make you a strong candidate.
Evaluate your own product and share findings
Analyse the product you currently work on - its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement, and competitive positioning. Document your findings in a presentation and share it with your manager and product team. This shows your product thinking skills and ability to identify areas for enhancement.
Always look out for internal open positions
Regularly check your company's internal job board for any open product management roles. Even if you don't meet all the requirements, apply and highlight how your experience is transferable. Internal candidates are often preferred as they already understand the company's products and culture.
Build your portfolio
Create a portfolio showcasing your product management skills and experience. Include case studies of products you've worked on, highlighting your role, the problem you solved, and the impact you made. Demonstrate your ability to think strategically, prioritise features, and deliver successful products.
Build your network
Expand your professional network by connecting with product managers at your company and in your industry. Attend product management meetups, conferences, and events to learn from experienced practitioners. Networking will help you gain insights into the product management field and potentially uncover new opportunities. By following these steps, an experienced professional can make a strong case for transitioning into product management. Demonstrating your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver results will make you an attractive candidate for product roles.
Are you an aspiring Product Manager ? I recently created a small digital Product Wallet 👜 that contains the list of essentials ready to help you become a successful Product Manager. Refer here for more details.
Excellent Post! Very enlightening.