Launch Your Product Management Career: A Step-by-Step Guide

As technology advances, the role of a product manager becomes increasingly crucial in the development and success of digital products. With high demand and a good salary range, pursuing a career as a product manager can be a rewarding experience.

In this guide, we’ll outline the necessary steps to launch and advance your career in product management.

What is Product Management?

Product management is a role that involves managing the development, launch, and ongoing improvement of a product or service. It requires a deep understanding of the market, customer needs, and the competitive landscape. Product managers work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, salespeople, and marketers, to bring new products to market and improve existing ones.

How to Start a Career in Product Management

1. Acquire a Degree and Certifications

A specific degree is not required to break into product management, but relevant work experience/skills are essential. A digital media degree, business school degree, finance degree, and even an animation degree can be helpful in product management. Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) can also be beneficial. However, what’s more important than your degree is your ability to learn, adapt, and solve complex problems.

Additionally, there are several product management certification programs available, such as the Product Management Certificate (PMC) offered by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM) or the Certified Product Manager (CPM) offered by the Association of Product Marketing and Management (APMM).

2. Acquire Skills

To start a career as a product manager, there are various paths you can take. You can transition from other roles within the same company or industry or begin in different parts outside of product management. For instance, you can start in a position like “digital content specialist,” managing consumer apps or push notifications, before transitioning to product management. The important thing is to leverage your skills and knowledge to develop the core skills of a product manager, such as influence without authority, vision creation, road mapping, metric design, UX, and understanding tech dependencies.

You can develop these skills by reading everything online about product management, practising writing product requirement docs, researching and learning.

To succeed as a product manager, you’ll need to develop various skills, such as market research, product strategy, project management, communication, and leadership. Developing these skills through internships, on-the-job training, and independent learning is essential.

3. Select a Specialisation

There are several areas of specialisation within product management, including hardware, software, consumer products, and enterprise products. It is essential to understand that job titles can vary from company to company, and there is no standardisation across the industry. Choosing a profession that aligns with your interests and career goals is essential.

4. Apply for Internships

Acquiring practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can be invaluable to launching your product management career. Look for opportunities to work with established companies or start-ups to understand the industry better.

5. Network and Build Relationships

Networking and mentorship can be beneficial. Attend industry events, join online forums and groups, and connect with other product managers on LinkedIn. Getting the opportunity to be mentored by the head of product or working with program and product managers can help develop the necessary skills to become a PM.

There are different career paths in product management, and it’s essential to explore the various options and learn from the experiences of others.

6. Get a Job

Once you have the skills and experience necessary to be a successful product manager, it’s time to apply for jobs. Be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each position and highlight your relevant experience and accomplishments.

What to Expect When Building a Career in Product Management

Product management is an endless field, and it’s essential to be willing to adapt to new challenges and learn new skills as necessary. Being a product manager enables you to work cross-functionally and build relationships with different teams, making it easier to switch to other roles in the company, such as operations, growth, design, or engineering. Product management skills can be transferred to different roles.

Product management is a challenging yet rewarding career path. The average salary for a product manager in the United States is $105,558 yearly, according to Glassdoor. As a product manager, you’ll be responsible for driving the success of your product, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the product meets customer needs and expectations.

Attend industry conferences and networking events, read industry publications, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Keep an open mind and stay curious to gain a deeper understanding of different areas of the business and the industry as a whole. To advance your career, it’s essential never stop learning.

Conclusion

Building a successful career in product management requires a combination of education, practical experience, and ongoing learning and development. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can launch and advance your career in product management.