Side projects to break into Product Management!

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Diego Granados interviews Bosky Mukherjee, founder of PM Dojo, a learning community for aspiring product managers. They delve into the essential qualities hiring managers seek in candidates, emphasizing the importance of thinking like a PM and demonstrating problem-solving skills through side projects. Bosky shares her journey and insights on diversity in tech, the power of no-code platforms for non-technical founders, and the importance of marketing and relationship-building in product management. The conversation offers valuable advice for those looking to break into the field, highlighting the significance of understanding one's 'why', embracing imposter syndrome, and leveraging LinkedIn for networking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aspiring product managers (PMs) should demonstrate the ability to think like a PM and approach problems with the right questions and assumptions, rather than just filling in templates.
• 🔍 Hiring managers seek to see if candidates can identify real problems and validate them, instead of just building products based on personal preferences or convenience.
• 🌟 A side project should be something that you are passionate about and that fulfills a need, ideally solving a problem for more than just yourself or a small group.
• 🛠️ Building a product or side project can help aspiring PMs stand out in a competitive job market by showcasing their skills and experience beyond just a resume.
• 💡 PM Dojo, founded by Baskey Mukherjee, is a learning community designed to help aspiring PMs step into the role of a PM through immersive learning experiences.
• 🌐 Non-technical individuals can also become PMs, and no-code platforms have made it possible for them to build and launch products without needing to write code.
• 📈 The importance of marketing and user discovery is highlighted; aspiring PMs should not wait until after launching their product to start promoting it.
• 🤝 Building relationships and networking are crucial for job hunting, as hiring is a relationship-building activity rather than a purely transactional one.
• 🚀 Aspiring PMs should believe in themselves, reflect on their 'why' for product management, and be prepared to discuss this in interviews.
• 🧩 It's acknowledged that imposter syndrome is a common and natural feeling, and rather than trying to eliminate it, it should be embraced as a sign of stepping out of one's comfort zone.
• 🔑 Reflect on skill gaps and undertake small experiments to validate and fill them, as continuous learning is key in the ever-evolving tech industry.

Q & A

What are some key traits hiring managers look for in aspiring product managers' projects?

Hiring managers look for the ability to think like a product manager, including problem decomposition, asking the right questions, making assumptions, and solving problems in a way that fits the product management mold.

What is PM Dojo and who is its founder?

PM Dojo is a learning community for aspiring product managers or career transitioners who want to break into product management. It was founded by Baskey Mukherjee.

Why did Baskey Mukherjee start PM Dojo?

Baskey started PM Dojo to address the lack of diversity in tech applications and to provide an alternative education path for those wanting to break into product management without incurring significant debt.

What is Baskey Mukherjee's background?

Baskey Mukherjee has been in product and technology for 20 years, working in various roles within product management in different companies and countries, and has also been a hiring manager and product executive.

How does Baskey differentiate between a side project and a side hustle?

A side project is something one works on out of passion, not necessarily for monetization, while a side hustle is monetized and generates income, often starting as a side project but becoming a more serious endeavor.

What is the importance of building a product for aspiring product managers according to the interview?

Building a product allows aspiring product managers to demonstrate their capabilities and understanding of product management, stand out in a competitive job market, and increase their chances of getting hired.

Why do some hiring managers prefer candidates with technical backgrounds?

Some hiring managers may have a bias towards technical backgrounds due to the nature of the product or because they believe it facilitates better communication with technical stakeholders within the company.

What is the role of no-code platforms in enabling non-technical individuals to build products?

No-code platforms allow non-technical individuals to build and launch production-quality software through point-click-drag interfaces, making it possible for them to validate ideas and solve problems without needing to write code.

How should aspiring product managers approach the problem-solving aspect of their side projects?

Aspiring product managers should approach problems with a product management mindset, identifying real pain points, validating the size of the problem, and working through the stages of validation before building a solution.

What advice does Baskey give for standing out as an aspiring product manager?

Baskey advises aspiring product managers to believe in themselves, understand their 'why' for wanting a product management role, identify and work on filling gaps in their skills, and embrace imposter syndrome as a natural part of growth.

How can aspiring product managers leverage their side projects to demonstrate their capabilities to hiring managers?

Aspiring product managers can showcase their side projects as demonstrations of their product management abilities, ensuring to highlight their problem identification, solution validation, and product development processes.

What is the significance of marketing and user discovery in side projects for aspiring product managers?

Marketing and user discovery are crucial for demonstrating an understanding of product adoption and market needs. It shows hiring managers that the candidate can not only build a product but also ensure it is used and valued by its intended audience.