Query- what do PMs on grapevine think about product management

Product managers are a divisive bunch. Ask us what we do, and most of us puff our chests and babble about Steve Jobs, PMF and god-knows-what. The rest slouch and mumble something about writing JIRAs. Curious about how non-PM folks view us - both good and bad!

Let's face it. In some company (read mine) they are the gatekeepers of all things roadmap, obviousness, communication between engineers and business. While in some companies they are nothing but a left over thought acting no more than a typical Program Manager (Google and how Engineers have more say and power in roadmaps). What are your thoughts on your PM?

Ask me anything except my company name, or things that can reveal my identity. I may respectfully choose not to respond to your question based on my own judgement. Here’s a brief intro about me: I’ve worked as both software engineering manager & software technical architect over the last 18+ years on various tech stacks managing backend, frontend and a little bit of cloud. I have seen ups and downs in the software industry. Currently I’m working as a senior architect in one of the product based companies in India.

I am reading very often that the craze around product management is too much and this career is not worth the hype. Adding on to that it has huge supply of PMs and many of PMs are underpaid. Is it true?

When asked at the end of the interview, what questions do you generally ask the interviewers? There can be two types of interviewers, one from the PM org and the other from the engineering org (in later rounds) and usually senior folks. What type of questions can be asked to both types of panels?

Experienced Product, Tech, Sales, founder folks of GV, what would be your one piece of advice for a new APM/PM (1-2 yoe) in the industry, that would help them in the long run. Feel free to also let us know any mistakes you made as a Product guy, early in your career.

I just want to know your opinion.

This question is more for senior PMs and above who end up taking lot of interviews. Why do you ask this question? My question is around guesstimate, since the product we're building requires lots of data analysis. And I would prefer a PM from a STEM background. Mostly TAM related: example: Estimate the TAM of an in-car entertainment system for the next generation of internet users

Please put an example of why you think so, it will help everyone know the difference of great v good product work.