This is not a question for the cocky new grad in the overvalued startup, but for the few seasoned PMs that still reply out here.
Where do PMs go after they peak?
By peaking I mean arriving at a GPM or Staff PM position at the top 10-15 companies (you can do your own ranking here).
Nobody has the true statistics but I will use the assumption that 75% (debatable) of those who peak, will get laid off within 2 years from their ‘peak role’. The remaining will be able to progress into DoP and VP in the same top company or another in the top 15.
Where do they go then?
I am pretty positive, from experience, that they don’t go any up.
Do they go down the ladder of new startups for titles and ending up in the worst ones after being laid off 4-5 times? Do they quit all together?
Do they open a farm?
Do they start their own startup?
Comments and thoughts folks!
It seems like the question might have missed the mark. I've never really seen PMs hitting a 'peak' in the traditional sense, because success in this field isn't about luck. My friends who are great PMs might experience huge years if they catch a break with market events on significant feature changes.
Our team is stacked with incredibly smart people. Sure, everyone has years where their ideas really shine, but you don't see those dramatic falls off unless something major happens. The industry feels more stable in terms of movement between companies, likely because the hiring process and academic credentials are more reliable indicators of someone's long-term success compared to other fields. If someone's done standout work for their undergrad and wants to work with us, I'm pretty confident they'll continue to produce great work here.
Let's be real: we're all here for the money, but the work we do isn't too far removed from reality.
The most significant shifts within the companies usually come down to what the lower-tier companies are willing to offer or personal reasons, like seeking a less stressful environment.
Over the years, there have only been a couple of hires I realized weren't a good fit for the industry. After about six months, I had a frank conversation with them, not to fire them, but to suggest they start looking elsewhere. Both found opportunities elsewhere eventually and let me know when they were leaving.
And then there are those who retire early, having hit their financial goals, ready to do whatever they please...
I mean you can disagree with it all you like but I've worked at the best Product companies in the world for the last 15 years.
Its my job to build the best Products out there. If we were to blow up its my fault, I have hired PMs from other teams after they have been let go because the previous Product Head fucked up not because a single one of them was a bad PM.
All my strategies are based in logic and reason and analysed to an insane amount of detail before they are put into production. If they drive impact then its not through luck, its because we have spent hours and hours finding inefficiencies and crafting strategies to benefit off it.
In all honesty I also just dont think the perspective of people just getting laid off really holds up, the whole reason why the entire industry is heading in the data focused Product Management is that its 'proper impact'.
Yes people come and go and they dont last forever but I have had many IIT+IIM grads working for me... we will come up with new ones.
To the OP @MedicalFoam
You are asking your question in a wrong country mate.
Entire profession of product manager in India is fraudulent. I will come back and comment here when I meet one who is not fake and carries an ounce of substance
Loved your answer @GrumpyIce. @CheckOut Try starting a podcast for your product manager hate and you'll soon be Dhruv Rathee.
Tbh, I don’t know. I’ve been a PM for 10+ years in what you’d call as very well known brands.
PM as a function is relatively new in Indian companies, so we are pretty much the first generation who are going to see what’s it like. That said, I see there’s a difference in trajectories of a B2B PM vs a B2C PM. A B2B company which has struck gold and a clear growth path will be a great place to build a career.
I’m now more or less done with product management and want to move out of this function. My target areas are marketing, strategy, and business development.
Can you elaborate more on why you want to quit being a PM.
I too am in b2b pm, is it really better than b2c pm? Should I not look for roles as a b2c pm in case of switching?
It’s completely subjective, and down to your preference. I’ve worked in B2C and B2B, and I prefer B2B as a PM because in my experience the quality of work and impact is higher. You have a plan, a strategy, and help execute it. I can’t do my job without developers, marketing, sales, and pre sales. The collaboration is much more effective.
(IMO) I don’t think B2C companies need as many PMs as they do, but unfortunately “PM” has become a catch all title for all the vaguely defined roles. I feel this is one of the reasons why a lot of developers in Indian B2C companies don’t appreciate PMs - the devs end up doing a lot of the heavy lifting here.
I want to move out of PM because I want to do to a business what I did to a product - help build and scale. Eventually, want to get a point where I’m industry agnostic and can even work in non-software businesses.
They go to small startups and ruin them
They become STG head or so
@CanineJumbo What is that?
I've some 20+ exp in my company. They're directors and VP now and huuuge pay. Talking about skill, all are SMEs. PM is not a generalist role anymore, barring some exceptions where companies don't know what they're doing.
I've worked with some great PMs and TBH it just made the process much easier, clearer and we know what we are building for. Ofcourse bad PMs are there but unlike @CheckOut I won't put anyone into a bucket and generalize
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