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How do you transition to product management from engineering? What skills do you need and how do you get them? How do you crack the interview?
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Transitioning from Engineering -> Product Management
Gayle Laakmann McDowell
McDowell | CareerCup.com
My Background
• Engineer @ Google, Microsoft & Apple– 3 Years on Google Hiring Committee– Interviewed 150+ candidates
• Founder of CareerCup.com• Author– Cracking the Coding Interview – The Google Resume– Cracking the PM Interview [Product Management]
• Interview coach for acquisitions & acquihires
McDowell | CareerCup.com
slides
Technologywoman.com
-> Speaking engagements
-> ctrl-F for “master”
McDowell | CareerCup.com
What PM jobs are open to you?
Product Manager (“PM”)==
“Associate Product Manager” (Google, Yahoo, Facebook, etc.)
==“Program Manager”
(Microsoft)
McDowell | CareerCup.com
The Perfect PM
Technical Skills + Product Skills+
Industry Expertise + Business Expertise
New PMs have some but not ALL of these
skills.
Smart Gets Things Done
Strategy & Vision Leadership
Customer Focus
Product Design
Analysis & Synthesis
Action Oriented
Prioritization
Project Management
Technical Skills
Communication
Strategy & Vision Leadership
Customer Focus
Product Design
Analysis & Synthesis
Action Oriented
Prioritization
Project Management
Technical Skills
Communication
ENGINEER
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Acquiring Skills
• At your company?– Help out a PM
• Outside of work?– Design your own app
• Formal education– Coursera, General Assembly– Books
• Show initiative, leadership, & design
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Should you get an MBA?
• VERY mixed opinions in SV• Gives you “business” knowledge– Marketing, accounting, pricing, etc.
• Effective way to career hop– … at the top schools & local schools
• But it’s a very expensive way to do that…
Getting the Opportunity
McDowell | CareerCup.com
McDowell | CareerCup.com
A PM-Focused Resume
• That cool algorithm isn’t that useful• Focus on:– Leadership– Design– Initiative
• ACCOMPLISHMENTS
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Landing the Opportunity
• Hard to jump companies & roles• Leverage your expertise– Dev tools PM?– Got industry expertise?
• Blog & be active online• Network, network, network
The Interview
McDowell | CareerCup.com
McDowell | CareerCup.com
What to Expect in the Interview
• Behavioral Questions• Product Design• Estimation Questions• Business Questions• Technical Questions
• Gets things done• Problem Solving• Communication• User-Focused Thinking• Relevant Skills
McDowell | CareerCup.com
So, tell me about yourself…
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Your Two-Minute Pitch
• I am a … at … • In college, I studied …• Then I worked for …• Then …• Now I’m …• Outside of work, I …
• Sprinkle in highlights• Show the WHY• Connect yourself
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Preparing for Behavioral QsJob 1 Job 2
Leadership/Influence
Mistakes/Failures
Challenges
Successes
Teamwork
Select 5 Key Stories. What do they say about you?
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Structure 1: Nugget First
• Lead with your “thesis” / nugget– Grabs the listener’s attention– Gives them context for where you’re going.
A: I’m most proud of my leading my company’s pivot. Last year, …
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
McDowell | CareerCup.com
Structure 2: S.A.R.
ituation
ction
esult
S
A
R
What was the issue?
What did you do about it?
What was the impact?
Product Design QuestionsHow would you design an calculator for the blind?
Design an elevator for a building.
Pick a Google product. How would you improve it?
Product Design Questions: Why?
• Communication & Structured Thinking• Ability to understand the user• Creativity• Business instincts / skills
Product Design Qs: Approach
1. Ask questions to resolve ambiguity2. Understand the user & use cases.3. Structure the problem4. Solve piece by piece
Put the user first.
McDowell | CareerCup.com
What to Expect in the Interview
• Behavioral Questions• Product Design• Estimation Questions• Business Questions• Technical Questions
• Gets things done• Problem Solving• Communication• User-Focused Thinking• Relevant Skills
?McDowell | CareerCup.com
Follow Me Online:Facebook.com/GayleTwitter.com/GayleQuora.comTechnologyWoman.com