How is the market currently for product managers?
I want to quit my job and take a break. I Have been contemplating to do the same for almost an year but decided not to do it. So many things have happened since then 1. Layoff wave started in india 2. Got married 3. Had to move back to bangalore from hometown Reason I want to quit is I don't feel like working , feeling bored and work doesn't interest me that much. I want to take a break chill for a bit but don't have guts to do the same considering market conditions ( what if I don't get a job when I am back in the market😅) Please give any advice on how to tackle this situation or if someone has gone through the same, would love to hear your experience. Also how is the product hiring currently in India? PS: I do have a good runway for 4-5 months considering all expenses but I am scared to take the step
Hey, my 2 rupees:
1. If you are quitting, quit for the right reasons. Ask yourself if you feel you are running away from work? And if so why?
2. It's important to know what you are running towards too. Have a plan! If you want to quit, what are you going to do with your time?
There is no right reason to quit, nor is there is a wrong motivating to want something. But it's imp to know why you feel so because then you can work on that aspect of yourself.
I do agree with the comments that 4 -5 months buffer is short - it takes about 4 -12 months to convert a job (unless you are not very picky).
Taking a break is a luxury - use it wisely :)
Nicely elaborated, @Manic. I was in the boat of wanting to run away. Still sometimes feel that way but figured that it was only because of some drastic changes at work due to a new boss who has zero prioritization, says yes to everything the management says and wants the output from the team yesterday. I know I have to quit the boss, so will see if I can do that internally else have already started looking out. Quickly realized that the market is brutal right now - ghost postings, no calls even with solid referrals, and lack of roles that I’m interested in and have skills for.
I was planning to quit and chill for a few months with a 3 yr runway including emergency. Glad I didn’t coz it would have gotten frustrating very quickly for me.
@sturdysail30 However, if you actually just want to quit to focus on things in life like health, family, passions, interests etc, that’s totally fair but you will need a lot more than 4-5 months. Else you will have to keep applying from now to land something by the time your break is over and stressing over getting a job during a break will not be fun.
Suggestions -
1. Reduce expenses so that runway can be used for more number of months. Consider moving back home if that can help burn less cash.
2. See if there is an option for sabbatical via your company- not all companies give that option.
3. While you’re on a break, see if there’s any income you can make from a different source or job without putting in the same kind of hours as you do at your current work so that it still feels like a break.
KhattaAngoorrr
Stealth
4 months ago
Not to scare you but it's fucked up. One of my friends is applying via referrals but rarely any calls
What’s your YoE? Anything above director of products -> market is bad. Stay put. Jr roles there is still some
TLDr - Better to stay than be in this market. However bad org or team or your motivation ia
I have ti have total 5 yrs of exp, with 3 in product and 2 in BA. I would be targeting PM2 sort of roles if I decide to start applying
There are such openings but you can’t be super choosy. Best is to apply while on the job and not take a break. Gives you more freedom and mind space to choose the right next role vs doing under pressure of hunting with no job in hand
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BiryaniEnthu
Stealth
4 months ago
4-5 months runway is less. Keep a separate emergency fund and atleast a year of runway
I’ve done this, don’t recommend it unless you are a person with high discipline and will power.
I thought I’ll take a break for 3 months, then it became 6, then it became a whole year.
When I started doing interviews, I got low-balled offers as I didn’t have a job in hand.
And in the current economic scenario it’ll be very difficult to get back in once you get out.
4-5 months runway is too less, need at least 2 years.
If you’re feeling burnt out, just work less. Fix a time for yourself like you’ll only work 4-5 hours then check out. Pretend to work if office expects you to work more hours. Find a corner in office and read books/do interview-prep.
Don’t listen to any of the comments here. If you don’t feel like working, just quit brother.Even I am planning to do the same. Staying away from corporate job for time being is all I need. I cannot sacrifice my mental peace for a freaking monthly paycheck. This is a vicious endless cycle. But you gotta think - if money is your main goal, quitting might not be the best option for you
Bumpy_Stock
Stealth
4 months ago
His runway is around 4-5 months. One month after quitting, panic would kick in and he would spiral into heavy regret.
I was laid off 4 months ago. I haven't found a single job that's worth taking. I'm giving interviews but the interview process is fucked now. You'd need a runway of 8 months to 1 year if you want to work after quitting again. Taking a break right now is a bad decision.
LosingmakesnoCents
Stealth
4 months ago
Most ppl here have commented on having an year of runway. I think that’s solid advice. Times are unpredictable. build up that runway so that you don’t stress out in your break.
Market is not good if you are a generalist. But if you are a specialist ( niche skill set / domain or subject matter expertise) you will be okay
You are a head of product...give some advise to us fellow product guys, on how can product people become specialists...some particular product domains you can name?
LosingmakesnoCents
Stealth
4 months ago
To become specialists, you gotta identify a domain and stick to it for a longer duration, thereby giving yourselves the chance to explore and solve different types of problems and gain understanding of users in that domain. It requires you to commit to a domain for 5+ years.
It’s okay to be a generalist very early in your career. But the earlier you identify your preferred domain, the better.
Examples would be gaming, payments, security/fraud/risk , telecom, e-commerce etc.
When markets are good, people are able to seamlessly jump between domains and you see a lot of hiring. But when the chips are down like the past couple of years, recruiters double down on specialists.
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DirtyDot5
Stealth
4 months ago
You won't find a job unless you are really really lucky.
I left the job after being asked to go (they took a decision to keep me and give me an increment later) and I left thinkingt that I'll get a job easily. It's been 8 months and I've been constantly trying, still there's nothing.
I would say don't take risks because the times are pretty unpredictable.
If you're feeling bored, maybe try something else or think upon why you're bored and take action accordingly
I feel the same every day for the past 2 years. I keep telling this to my parents also before I go to work that I will quit the job but I would still go to work. Coming to financial status, I have my own house (inherited) in Bangalore and get rent also but I would still go to work. Even I reach a threshold to quit the job, i would take leave for a couple of days, travel and look at people who are struggling to get a meal. Then I feel how lucky I am to have a decent paying job.
Try taking leaves for some days, spend more time with your loved ones, travel, later you will like your job.
You should have atleast 12-18 months of runway to take a break.
4-5 months is not at all sufficient.
Sounds like you might be burnt out. Find a new hobby that requires you meeting new people, like a class for yoga,arts and crafts or just anything really that entails you stepping out of your house.
I'm currently seeing a counselor for a different reason but she suggested this when I told her I have no motivation to work or study (work related subjects) and she suggested this. It's by far the best advice I've got, cos it really does make a difference.
Qwerty2398
Stealth
4 months ago
join for some higher studies. Full time college course. You will get your break, you will have something to do and you will be able to justify when you get back in the market.
Do anything , but when you get back, dont tell then you had a start up. or was free lancing. anything other than this is right answer. - including any unrelated business, like you had a grocery store, you wee in restaurant business. you were a farmer.
Best answer is, you went to wind up your family business. say anything - textile business, construction business, machinery/spare parts, what ever.
Slightly different take, I think the markets would be pretty good in 1.5 to 2 years.. remember it is a cycle so if it has dipped previously it should rally in the coming times..
So better to do this only if you have 3 years runaway, 4-5 months is way too less
Yes. Take break and go to Europe trip. If you like the place find the job there.
Bumpy_Stock
Stealth
4 months ago
Exact plan bata de. Which role/skills is in demand in Europe? Which company/country? How much time it could take? Considering visa is usually 90 days.
Bumpy_Stock
Stealth
4 months ago
*tourist visa
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Current market scenario is really really bad, I was in a growth role. It’s been almost 11 months, I haven’t been able to get any job till date. There are very few calls which I have received till date and most of the cases, shortlisting didn’t even happen for me. Have more than 12 years plus experience.
Continue in your current job and search for new jobs. I would totally ask you not to take a voluntary break at this moment.
And you should have atleast a year of runway.
I am on same boat, but instead of resigning I am thinking to take sabbatical to be on safer side. Considering the way job market is changing since the advent of AI, it needs balls of steel and hearts of iron to not panic and do the things we meant to do during the break period ..
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