You’ve checked all the boxes: you’re savvy with technology, active on LinkedIn, and you’ve probably taken a handful of online courses on product management You’re probably finishing school or working in a field like tech, marketing, or business. But, despite your ambitions and your comfort zone with things like hackathons and tech meetups, landing that first product manager role still seems like a daunting task. The dreaded “experience required” line in job descriptions keeps haunting you. So, how do you get experience if nobody will give you the chance to get some? This guide aims to address this paradox and offers practical tips on how to gain real-world experience before your first PM job.
The Importance of Real-World Experience
Enhances Your Resume
Experience will make your resume stand out in a pile of applications that only boast academic qualifications and soft skills.
Provides Mentorship Opportunities
Working on real-world projects increases the likelihood of meeting mentors who can guide you in your PM career.
Builds Confidence
Applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations enhances your confidence, making you a stronger candidate for PM roles.
Ways to Gain Real-World Experience
Internal Transfers and Side Projects
If you’re already in the tech or business sector, look for opportunities within your organization. Many companies appreciate internal transfers and might let you work on PM-like projects even if it’s not your primary role.
Freelancing
Many startups and smaller companies can’t afford a full-time PM but would be willing to bring someone on part-time or project-based. Websites like Upwork or Freelancer have freelance PM opportunities.
Bootcamps and Practical Courses
While Coursera and Udemy offer a plethora of PM theory, bootcamps like General Assembly offer courses that are more hands-on and project-focused.
Open Source Contributions
If you’re technically inclined, contributing to open-source projects can be an excellent way to gain experience. Not only do you get to work on real-world problems, but your contributions are also publicly visible, serving as a practical portfolio.
Hackathons
You may be no stranger to hackathons. But instead of attending as a coder or data junkie, try participating with a PM hat on. Help your team prioritize tasks, define the product scope, and create a presentation—just like a PM would.
Non-Profit and Volunteer Work
Organizations like non-profits often have projects that require PM skills but don’t have the budget for a full-time role. Volunteering can provide significant experience and is also a great networking opportunity.
Leveraging Educational Background and Hobbies
For Tech Enthusiasts
If you come from a technical background or are tech-savvy, consider creating your own app or software tool. The journey from ideation to launch will provide a treasure trove of practical PM experience.
For Marketing Aficionados
Utilize your marketing skills to help a product or a startup with its go-to-market strategy. You can also gain valuable experience by organizing and executing a marketing campaign.
For Business Analysts and Consultants
You can leverage your skills in data analytics and strategy to help guide product decisions. Consider offering your services as a consultant to startups or projects within your current organization.
Documenting Your Experience
Create Case Studies
For each project you work on, create a detailed case study outlining the problem, your role, the solutions you implemented, and the outcomes.
Maintain a Portfolio
Develop an online portfolio where you can showcase these case studies along with any other relevant work. Platforms like GitHub or even a personal blog can serve this purpose.
Update LinkedIn
Make sure to update your LinkedIn profile to reflect this experience. Given your already active presence on LinkedIn, this will enhance your visibility and credibility.
Networking for Experience
Networking shouldn’t just be about landing a job. It should also be about seeking opportunities for hands-on experience. Here are a few tips to use your networking skills effectively:
- Informational Interviews: Use your network to set up informational interviews with current product managers. This could lead to mentorship or even project opportunities.
- Local Meetups and Online Communities: Given your interest in tech meetups and online platforms, use these to not just learn but also to find opportunities for real-world experience.
- Alumni Network: Don’t underestimate the power of your alumni network. Someone from your school might just offer you the break you need.
Overcoming Pitfalls
Lack of Focus
Given that you’re already navigating a sea of online courses, hackathons, and perhaps a full-time job or degree, it’s easy to lose focus. Make sure to prioritize your efforts toward gaining real-world experience. Avoid getting stuck in “educational paralysis” — taking course after course, reading book after book, etc.
Over-relying on Academic Knowledge
And, speaking of the importance of applying what you learn to the real world — theories, frameworks, and methodologies you learned in courses are essential but not a substitute for real-world application. Make sure to apply what you’ve learned in a practical context.
Conclusion
Gaining real-world experience before your first PM role may seem challenging, but it’s not just possible; it’s essential. Through internal projects, freelancing, practical courses, hackathons, and even volunteer work, you can gather a wealth of experience that can make you a desirable candidate for any PM role.
Armed with these tips, you can overcome the “experience required” paradox and build a robust, experience-backed resume. Remember, every project you undertake is a step closer to your dream PM job. So roll up your sleeves and dive into the real-world of product management. Your future self will thank you.