A talk I did for a HelloMeets event about how to break into product management based on my learnings from writing my book The Making of Product Managers.

1. How to Break into Product
Management
HelloMeets Event w/ Lena Sesardic

2. My Story
2009-2013
2013-2017
2017-2019
2019-2020
2020
Economics degree at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver,
Canada)
Customer Service &
Operations
Business Analyst, Product Manager
Product Manager @
Innovation Lab
Product Management Consultant, The Making of Product
Managers, Entrepreneur
2021 (Present) Entrepreneur

3. The Making of Product Managers
www.themakingofproductmanagers.com
Get 10% off with
code "hellomeets10"!

4. The Making of the Book
Finding Product Managers to interview.
Conducting the interviews.
Structuring the stories.
Adding information boxes.

5. Product Managers come from extremely
diverse educational and professional
backgrounds.
A Diverse Field

6. Statistics
Commercial Banking
International Relations
Customer Service
Customer Care
IT Administration
Salesforce
Administration
Business Information Systems
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Nanotechnology Engineering
Project Management
English Literature
Industrial Manufacturing
Chemical Engineering
Electronics and Electrical Communication
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Food, Nutrition and Health
UX Software Engineering
DataAnalysis
AccountManagement
SalesOperations
WebDevelopment
Technical
Support
Program Management Cognitive Psychology
Product Marketing
Product Design
Operations
Mathematics
Economics
Software Engineering
Marketing
Computer Science
MBA
Business
Analysis
20 Product Managers interviewed for The Making of Product Managers

7. Studied International Relations
Salesforce Administrator
Salesforce Business Analyst
Product Manager, Business Technology
Real Product Manager #1
Stan

8. Real Product Manager #2
Studied Food, Nutrition & Health
Data Analytics Business Analyst
Software Implementation Consultant
Scrum Master & Project Manager
Product Manager
Filza

9. Real Product Manager #3
Studied Economics & Statistics
Analyst & Underwriter (commercial
banking)
Product Manager
Nene

10. Types of Product Managers
Knowing what the different types of Product
Managers are is important in defining your path.
Large organization vs. startup
Agency
Consulting
Founder/entrepreneur
Product Manager
Product Owner
Software Product Manager
Group Product Manager
Growth Product Manager
Technical Product Manager
Associate Product Manager

11. How to Break into Product
Management?
There's no magic recipe.
But I have observed 6 patterns that are helpful!

12. Pattern #1
Prior work experience in a broad range of jobs
and responsibilities.
Mature decision-making, ability to communicate with different
types of people & ability to influence stakeholders is required.
Product management is not an entry-level
position.

13. Working in a position that either interacts with
Product Managers or has an overlap with the
job of a Product Manager.
Pattern #2
Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Scrum Master, Product
Marketing Manager, Marketer, Program Manager, etc.

14. Pattern #3
Being where the action is:
Acquisitions & mergers
Startups
Organizational restructuring & transformations
New opportunities to help Product Managers with their tasks,
formally take on Product Manager tasks or get a position as a
Product Manager.

15. Pattern #4
Being able to spot, size and pursue
opportunities quickly & effectively.
Collect small wins on your portfolio and be patient while they
compound over time.
Exploiting all opportunities, no matter how
small.

16. Pattern #5
Networking with as many people in Product
Management as possible.
Helps you learn how to talk about Product Management, find out
about new job opportunities and get recommended by
individuals in the field.

17. Pattern #6
Building your own product where you're the
Product Manager.
The best way to build real skills in product management while
showing strong initiative and passion.

18. What Does It Take?
Being a risk-taker.
Being flexible & adaptable.
Patience.
Being willing to learn.

19. The Value of Networking
Create personal connections
Be top-of-mind for Hiring Managers
Take advantage of "weak-tie" connections
Find your raving fans

20. Imposter Syndrome
Especially with those who are a few steps
behind you.
Share your knowledge with others to
demonstrate your expertise, increase your
confidence & become part of a community.

21. Thank You!
in/lenasesardic
@LenaSesardic
lenasesardic.com