Titles don't count for shit. Don't frame your world based on that

Product Manager

Career is a long 40yr old game. Don't be in a hurry to get the best titles.

Lot of fake titles on LinkedIn. Ultimately it's about how many crores you are making.

I was checking Linkedin. Some PMs in their mid 30s are Heads, Directors, VPs of startups. Meanwhile 30s who switched careers etc are just SPMs. What’s happening here?

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

Do 35 year okd SPMs feel ‘stuck’ career-wise?

Do 35 year okd SPMs feel ‘stuck’ career-wise?- Grapevine

LinkedIn has had a lot of SPM openings for some time compared to PMs/APMs. The proportion is reverse if what would be expected in my opinion. Am I missing something?

Where did SPMs go?

Hi all, I am a 32 year old working in fintech with around 6 years experience. I have been with my current company for more than 3 years as a PM and not getting the kind of growth/perks/learning I was expecting in last one year after our acquisition. Also, few more things because of which I am looking to move out of my current role:

1. Uncertainty in my career growth (whether I will be made SPM here due to lack of projects)
2. Salary, top concern as I am looking to get married, get a home loan to buy a property and pay off my education loan taken for MBA. With Current salary, I have savings but not enough to prepare for future.
3. Bored of my industry. I have been working in the same industry for last 6 years where there is not much innovation. I want to move to more exciting spaces such as AI for which I am doing machine learning courses. 

So, looking for any referrals for the SPM role. Mostly, where my career can be stable on a longer term (not looking for startups as can’t take too much risk/paycut at the moment)

Looking for referrals for SPM roles

https://the-ken.com/story/why-more-40-somethings-are-becoming-unwilling-retirees/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter

PMs, views on this? How are PMs above 40 faring in the industry ?

Sharing some reflections on this:

1. Product is not a function with a large hierarchy / multiple levels in the ladder. Managerial responsibility comes in very late in the product career and the spans are typically small (relative to other functions like engineering, sales, operations). This also means a steeper funnel to the top and only a handful VP Product roles in the industry.

2. Product is centered around technology and digital consumer trends, both of which are fast changing. This requires constant unlearning and relearning. But more critically, this also means that previous knowledge/experience hits a plateau on marginal value beyond a basic threshold (where you have developed some essential product semse and skills).

3. Product managers are also much higher-paid vs other functional peers, at comparable years of experience. This means that a PM gets to a very high salary (say, 1+ crore) by the age of 40 (15-20y into their career). Tech functions in non-tech companies (like FMCG, banking) cannot offer that kind of pay, meaning salary growth beyond a point is limited to tech-first companies / limiting addressable market for lateral moves.

All of these considererd, how should PMs think about the longevity of their careers? Unlike traditional roles, this does not seem like a "retire at 60" job. What would be the realistic age one should plan for, at which career growth and salary growth will stagnate? What are ways in which a 80%ile PM can extend their career (eg: also taking up engineering management or P&L responsibility or growth function etc., to increase scope)?

PS: this post is not for the top 5-10% PMs. They will always find roles at VP level etc, this is for the 50-90%ile bucket of PM talent.

Longevity of a product career

Will commend you on a very well written and well articulated post. 
  
 Options for the future will be apparent at ~40.  Most peak roles will be achieved between 45-50. 
  
 Possible exits: 
  
 1. Running Category roles at companies which have a broad canvas, multiple product categories. 
 2. Deputing for and eventually running a P&L or a LoB. 
 3. Sales or more critically Customer Success.  Don't shy away from revenue responsibilities. 
  
 Engineering is a sharp left turn imo.  It's not an overlapping skillset at best and don't see how that is part of a PMs likely roadmap.

Sales Manager

Investor

Almost every other post about PM function is as eye opening as this. What do you guys think?

PM future seems bleak?

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Amul says you should interview all the time 

Manas says this is not smart

Today's E-lafda: Manas v/s Amul

Growth Manager

I was curious, that what will happen to the people who are right now working in growth, program managers, or in fact as business analysts, SDEs after 15 years.

 I am 25 Years old right now, and all I can see is people aged between 21-30 in startups. 30-35 year old people are less than 5% of the workforce. After 10 years, all my age group people will be 35, and all the roles I see at that age, are too scarce. 

Will it be too difficult to switch jobs then, or career, hikes will kinda stagnate there? 

Want to know from other experienced people that where does the crowd go?

What after 15 YOE?

I am close to 15 years ex. So probably i can answer i guess. In my area of work, i see all the less experienced folks not much capable in understanding the whole picture of business for creating roadmaps and strategies , cannot do stakeholder management much and moreover do not understand failsafe situations . That way i feel my job is safe. I can also do the job which my 2 year experience person does and in a better way and can also work like my manager who is probably 20 years experience and lead the teams.  
 As long as one is technically relevant , experience is a boon for orgs.

Software Project Manager

Recently my company posted an opening for a PM job (5+yoe) on LinkedIn and i got final year engineering students from Tier 1/2/3 institutions in my DM asking for a referral for the job. 
I was like wtf at least first get 2-3 year of  any corporate experience and then think about moving to PM role. Why are freshers preparing for PM job out of a sudden

Why is there a sudden rise in craze for PM job

Is there a lack of good opportunities, like it was 5-10 years ago in companies like Gojek, Swiggy, etc to grow fast into a Director of product role?

Are the fast-tracked PM career paths over?

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I wish to know the pros/cons of frequently switching jobs. 
I am in a dilemma, there are posts here and there that say don't switch frequently and then there are posts that nobody cares about frequent job switches, as you are a dev.

Let's discuss ladies & gents✍️

Pros/Cons of Frequent Job Switching

Imagine you are the Hiring manager looking for a Tech Lead who is having 8-10 years of experience. 
  
 He/She has already switched 6-7 companies in the period of 9 years. Will you consider that person working for you? 
  
 I personally won’t.

DevOps Engineer

Software Developer

Hi All, I'm working as a PM in a private bank. Prior to this I had worked as a Business PM in another bank 😅
My experience is that work expectations, KRAs of bank PMs are not in line with what is standard. Mostly stuck with meaningless work, getting very few conceptual projects. Feel like I am a glorified BA, who receives additional shit shovelling from senior mgmt.
Unable to get in depth experience in any vertical.
Earning 20LPA, experience 2.8 years. 

Need advise should I move out of PM and target Biz roles?

Unsure about PM career

Hi folks,

I work at a startup (been 2 years now) as a PM. From the last 12 months, my work has mostly revolved around strategy, business intelligence, program/general mgmt. I am now planning to quit and move on. However, I am not sure if I want to continue being a PM, because it's very overwhelming honestly and I actually enjoyed the last 12 months as a generalist. 

Need career advice from fellow PMs whether to pursue program mgmt/strategy/general mgmt/Chief of staff/new initiatives roles or devote 100% of my time to prepare for PM interviews and also try to make up for the last 12 months by doing side projects and maybe even interning under a senior PM 

Some pointers about me:

1. I have 2 YoE in PM. 
2. I have a CS degree from a tier 1/2 college
3. There is no particular reason to quit. Job is chill

Career Dillema | PM feels overwhelming

Hi, Product Leaders / Product Managers on Grapevine, 

What is the shortlist criteria for APM Roles and what would be a dealbreaker for them to consider a person from a tier 3 college and good work experience at good startups.

Please help. 


#community

Interview asks

Software Engineer

Thinking of exploring the PM job market for SPM/PPM roles

How's the market looking for IC product roles

I am doing good, but a little bored now

How's the PM job market now

Is the PM Job market returning?

I want to understand (probably recruiters and folks who switch a lot can answer) if PM / SPM salaries have taken a hit due to so many layoffs, poor hikes, fear of losing job, etc. 
Want to know how much has it been impacted? And what is the new norm? Say for a PM / SPM with 4-6 years of experience, what should be the salary expectations now (vs 1.5 yrs before)?

Impact of the market conditions / layoffs on PM salaries

Please let me know if your org is hiring PM or SPM.
Have Around 9 years exp in as SWE and PM altogether.

Do 35 year okd SPMs feel ‘stuck’ career-wise?

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