You want to become a product manager. What are the first steps you should take?

One thing to understand as role from Product Manager is to be become agnostic to a module or solution level as the clarity required is to have a higher goal where every solution, module sums to one product

Product managers wear many hats. They bridge the gap between business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility. Research the day-to-day tasks, the required skillset, and different product management specializations to see if it aligns with your interests. I can help you find relevant articles, books, and even connect you with product managers for informational interviews.

To become a product manager first understand these 3 things - what is the problem statement that you are trying to solve by the product - understand for whom you are solving this - how you will solve this These are basics for any pm to start his journey

Find a mentor. If you can't find a good one, read books. Of course, I'll second the recommendations of Marty Cagan's Inspired. But I'll also toss my book - What Makes Great Products Great? A Product Management Bootcamp on your list. It's written specifically for the entry-level PM or anyone that wants to better understand product management. You find the answers to... >Ten Business Problems That Might Be Product Problems >The Four Whys - What Drives Customers to Buy? >Twelve Things Your Product Team Should Stop Doing Today >Ten Great Questions to Ask Your Stakeholders >Why Product-Market Fit Might Not Be Enough For Product Success >Nine Reasons Why Your Minimum Viable Product Could Fail >The 58 Point Product Go-To Market Launch Checklist

Before aiming for a product manager position, dive into understanding the role by reading firsthand accounts from current PMs and analyzing job descriptions across various industries. This research, complemented by insights from platforms like LinkedIn and Medium, can offer a realistic view of daily responsibilities, required skills, and common challenges. It'll clarify your path, highlighting the importance of customer focus, cross-functional communication, and data-driven decision-making in this role.

A solid foundation is crucial. While a specific degree isn't mandatory, consider courses in business administration, marketing, user experience (UX) design, and data analysis. I can provide summaries of key concepts, suggest online learning platforms, and even help you practice product management frameworks.

Some books I would recommend for aspiring Product Managers are "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries, "The Lean Product Playbook" by Dan Olsen, and "Cracking the PM Interview" by McDowell and Bavaro. For courses, I would recommend becoming a Certified Scrum Product Owner through Scrum Alliance and the Product Management certificate program through eCornell. Sometimes the best way to learn is by working alongside product managers in more entry-level positions on product development teams. Some common places to start are Business Analyst, Technical Writer, QA Tester, or Assistant Product Manager roles.

Anyone can become a product manager by picking a problem that they truly care about, thinking of themselves as the key persona, mapping out how they get to experience this problem, noting down the pain points, and suggesting solutions for these pain points so that they transform this painful journey into a pleasant one. Level 2: Find other people that have this same problem and validate if they have the same pain points. Are there any points that are more painful than others? Refine your solution by prioritizing those pain points. Get their feedback. Rinse and Repeat. You don’t need a business, money, or any fancy tool to get started. Just curiosity and iteration.

Few books that I believe will be of great help. 1. The Product Book (The Product School) 2. The Lean Startup (Eric Ries) 3. Escaping the Build Trap (Melissa Perry) 4. The Lean Product Playbook (Dan Olsen) 5. Start With Why (Simon Sinek)

If I pick only one source, then I would recommend "Inspired" by Marty Cagan. It is like the mind map of the product management domain, givimg you the full picture. And for tools, if will chose only one, then I would say Jira (some PMs will hate me, but Jira is the most common tool used in product management, although it is not the best)

Showcase your skills and problem-solving abilities. This could involve personal projects, freelance work, or even volunteering within a company. I can assist with brainstorming product ideas, analyzing user data, and creating mockups to demonstrate your product vision.

The main point of the portfolio project is to share how can you help to earn more profit with your help. Also, describe the secondary points, where your involvement increased these points, like the metrics of product, f.e. DAU, LTV, ARPPU.

Find a company that can give you the opportunity to implement the things you learn through trainings, books or other channels, on the job. Becoming a product manager requires managing "products"

Next, focus on building your product management portfolio. Start by working on personal projects or joining existing initiatives as a volunteer or intern. Participate in hackathons, competitions, or online challenges to gain practical experience. Document your process, results, and learnings to showcase your impact and skills effectively. Additionally, create a compelling resume and LinkedIn profile that emphasize your product management expertise and accomplishments.

When I was transitioning from professional services to product management, I found Hackathons to be a great way to build product experience and demonstrate competency. In addition to having examples to reference on your portfolio, you build trust with engineers on your team. Of course, it helps if you place somewhere in the hackathon awards. For a while, I had a "Hackathon Record" section at the bottom of my resume. Since all my projects had either won or placed, it was a good way to show that I could successfully lead a team of engineers and my determination to become a product manager.

Connect with other product managers! Attend industry events, join online communities, and participate in product management forums. I can help you find relevant events and communities, and even analyze discussions to identify key trends and challenges in the field.

Developing extraordinary listening skills is crucial to becoming an excellent product manager. This involves actively seeking to understand customer needs, pain points and motivations through attentive listening. By doing so, product managers can: - Gather valuable insights to inform product decisions - Build trust and empathy with customers and stakeholders - Effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams Excellent listening skills enable product managers to extract valuable information, ask insightful questions and clarify assumptions, ultimately leading to the development of products that meet customer needs and drive business success.

One of the most important area i.e networking When i personally started thinking of doing product management i exchanged a lot of thoughts with my linkedin connects few of them reverted me with a question “why” PM ? What i believe through networking you get to know the real true value of what it takes to be a great product manager You also get the feedback while you exchange communications with them which improves your clarity of thinking & defining the question of “how” you can be a PM !

I would say "Don't be shy, Talk" to people in product management. You can find them on LinkedIn or at events. Take time to get to know people and be nice. Help them out and show you care about what they have to say. Don't forget about feedback. It's super important. Find someone you trust, like a mentor or a friend, and ask them what they think about your ideas. Listen to what they say, whether it's good or bad. It'll help you get better at what you do. You'll learn a lot this way.

Networking and seeking feedback from other professionals in the field are essential for career growth in product management. Engaging in online communities, events, and groups related to product management allows for valuable connections. Additionally, receiving feedback from mentors and peers helps refine your skills and identify development opportunities.

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Practice for product management interviews by anticipating common questions and showcasing your product thinking. I can help you analyze job descriptions, craft compelling responses to interview questions, and even conduct mock interviews to hone your presentation skills.

Prepare for Interviews: Practice common product management interview questions and be ready to discuss your experiences and how they align with the expectations of a product manager role.

After preparing and building your knowledge base in product management, it's time to apply for roles and get ready for interviews. Use online platforms and networking to find opportunities that align with your goals and skills. Be prepared to demonstrate your abilities and knowledge during the interview process, practicing your communication and problem-solving skills.

Once you've built your skills and portfolio, it's time to apply for product management roles. Utilize online platforms and job boards to find relevant opportunities. Prepare thoroughly for interviews, focusing on communication, problem-solving, and product management knowledge. Practice your responses to common interview questions and be ready to showcase your skills and experiences. 📝💼 #ProductManagement #CareerPreparation

Build a product, anything… 🎯Could be hands on in person 🎯Could be digital in nature 🎯Whatever just build and create 💯 That in and of itself will create experience and story to share with others creating more value. And as a manager, leader and executive I want people who create value in my team ✅

A good thinker and listener is first skillset to become a Product Manager. You should start focusing on seeing problems and finding solutions at scale. Let me give you a example. You are a pet lover and you saw a dog is dying because of hunger. Secondly you think that this problem exist with other dogs too. Third start thinking if this problem exist at scale how would solve it. So it's basically you saw a problem , started thinking that the problem is at micro or macro level.

Continuous Learning: The PM landscape evolves rapidly. Stay curious, read blogs, attend webinars, and take courses. Soft Skills: Develop empathy, communication, and negotiation skills. PMs are diplomats, translators, and storytellers. Industry Specialization: Consider focusing on a specific domain (e.g., healthcare, e-commerce, or SaaS). Deep expertise adds value.

Read the cases of the best products, and try to generalize the mistakes in the worst cases, to avoid future mistakes. Success is sudden - mistakes are general.

First, immerse yourself in the product world by understanding market trends and user needs. It's like entering a new neighborhood – know the residents and their desires. Second, hone your communication skills. A great product manager is an even better storyteller. Imagine pitching your idea at a family dinner – make it compelling. Lastly, befriend data. It's your GPS in the product landscape. Learn to read its signals and use them to navigate confidently. Start your journey like mapping a road trip – research, storytelling, and a reliable GPS (data) will make it smooth.

Perceba que dependendo do mercado e porte da empresa desejada, o gerente de produtos tem atividades diferentes. Eu já trabalhei em empresas de pequeno e médio porte que o GP era responsável desde o estudo de mercado, dimensionamento de mercado, market share, precificação, tributação, classificação, treinamento da força de vendas e prospecção. Também já trabalhei em empresas de grande porte onde o GP tinha que ter apenas conhcimento técnicos do seu produto e do processo do usuário. Neste caso o GP tem a visão de um especialista técnico e não de um estrategista de mercado com habilidades comerciais. Como você quer ser?