Transitioning from Engineering to Product Management

Transitioning from Engineering -> Product Management

Gayle Laakmann McDowell

McDowell | CareerCup.com

My Background

• Engineer @ Google, Microsoft & Apple– 3 Years on Google Hiring Committee– Interviewed 150+ candidates

• Founder of CareerCup.com• Author– Cracking the Coding Interview – The Google Resume– Cracking the PM Interview [Product Management]

• Interview coach for acquisitions & acquihires


slides

Technologywoman.com

-> Speaking engagements

-> ctrl-F for “master”


What PM jobs are open to you?

Product Manager (“PM”)==

“Associate Product Manager” (Google, Yahoo, Facebook, etc.)

==“Program Manager”

(Microsoft)


The Perfect PM

Technical Skills + Product Skills+

Industry Expertise + Business Expertise

New PMs have some but not ALL of these

skills.

Smart Gets Things Done

Strategy & Vision Leadership

Customer Focus

Product Design

Analysis & Synthesis

Action Oriented

Prioritization

Project Management

Technical Skills

Communication

Strategy & Vision Leadership

Customer Focus

Product Design

Analysis & Synthesis

Action Oriented

Prioritization

Project Management

Technical Skills

Communication

ENGINEER


Acquiring Skills

• At your company?– Help out a PM

• Outside of work?– Design your own app

• Formal education– Coursera, General Assembly– Books

• Show initiative, leadership, & design


Should you get an MBA?

• VERY mixed opinions in SV• Gives you “business” knowledge– Marketing, accounting, pricing, etc.

• Effective way to career hop– … at the top schools & local schools

• But it’s a very expensive way to do that…

Getting the Opportunity



A PM-Focused Resume

• That cool algorithm isn’t that useful• Focus on:– Leadership– Design– Initiative

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Landing the Opportunity

• Hard to jump companies & roles• Leverage your expertise– Dev tools PM?– Got industry expertise?

• Blog & be active online• Network, network, network

The Interview



What to Expect in the Interview

• Behavioral Questions• Product Design• Estimation Questions• Business Questions• Technical Questions

• Gets things done• Problem Solving• Communication• User-Focused Thinking• Relevant Skills


So, tell me about yourself…


Your Two-Minute Pitch

• I am a … at … • In college, I studied …• Then I worked for …• Then …• Now I’m …• Outside of work, I …

• Sprinkle in highlights• Show the WHY• Connect yourself


Preparing for Behavioral QsJob 1 Job 2

Leadership/Influence

Mistakes/Failures

Challenges

Successes

Teamwork

Select 5 Key Stories. What do they say about you?


Structure 1: Nugget First

• Lead with your “thesis” / nugget– Grabs the listener’s attention– Gives them context for where you’re going.

A: I’m most proud of my leading my company’s pivot. Last year, …

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?


Structure 2: S.A.R.

ituation

ction

esult

S

A

R

What was the issue?

What did you do about it?

What was the impact?

Product Design QuestionsHow would you design an calculator for the blind?

Design an elevator for a building.

Pick a Google product. How would you improve it?

Product Design Questions: Why?

• Communication & Structured Thinking• Ability to understand the user• Creativity• Business instincts / skills

Product Design Qs: Approach

1. Ask questions to resolve ambiguity2. Understand the user & use cases.3. Structure the problem4. Solve piece by piece

Put the user first.


What to Expect in the Interview

• Behavioral Questions• Product Design• Estimation Questions• Business Questions• Technical Questions

• Gets things done• Problem Solving• Communication• User-Focused Thinking• Relevant Skills

?McDowell | CareerCup.com

Follow Me Online:Facebook.com/GayleTwitter.com/GayleQuora.comTechnologyWoman.com

Transitioning from Engineering to Product Management

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