Pastor to Product Marketing Manager (ft. Collin Mayjack, PMM @Subsplash)

Summary

In this inspiring interview, Colin shares his journey from working as a communities pastor to transitioning into product marketing. He reflects on how his past experiences, including project management and storytelling, helped him pivot into this new career. Colin discusses the challenges of preparing for interviews, learning the ropes of product marketing, and adapting his skills to fit his new role. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, gaining a deep understanding of the field, and the power of fresh perspectives in a new job. His story highlights the value of perseverance and a willingness to learn and grow in any career transition.

Takeaways

• 😀 You learn to market yourself during interviews by crafting and telling a compelling story about your background and fit for the role.
• 😀 Transitioning from a non-profit or church background to product marketing is possible by leveraging transferable skills, such as project management and storytelling.
• 😀 A key step in breaking into product marketing is gaining experience by working closely with a marketing team, even if initially in a project management role.
• 😀 Passion for products, problem-solving, and adapting to new challenges can be a strong motivator in moving towards a product marketing role.
• 😀 In interviews, preparation is crucial. This includes creating comprehensive documents with answers to potential questions and rehearsing responses.
• 😀 Consuming relevant content, such as podcasts or resources from the Product Marketing Alliance, is an effective way to bridge knowledge gaps in product marketing.
• 😀 The interview process for a product marketing role typically involves multiple stages, including recruiter interviews, competency-based questions, and practical tasks like writing a go-to-market strategy.
• 😀 Being able to connect your previous experiences, even if they don’t align perfectly with the new role, is essential in conveying your suitability for the position.
• 😀 A psychological challenge during the process is overcoming self-doubt and fully recognizing that your prior experience and preparation are valuable.
• 😀 The excitement of product marketing lies in the opportunity to craft and position a product's story effectively, especially when the product is in a mature stage.
• 😀 Being new to a team can be advantageous, as fresh eyes allow you to spot areas for improvement and contribute valuable feedback right away.

Q & A

What was the initial career background of the speaker before transitioning to product marketing?

The speaker's initial career background was in church ministry, where they worked as a communities pastor. Their role involved facilitating small groups, pairing individuals for community meals, and organizing volunteer work, such as serving refugees and foster care.

How did the speaker's experience in ministry contribute to their transition into product marketing?

The speaker emphasized the skills they developed in ministry, such as creating narratives, writing, and teaching, which translated well into product marketing. Additionally, their experience in community building and problem-solving helped in adapting to a marketing environment.

How did the speaker transition from church work to project management in marketing?

After deciding to leave the church non-profit space, the speaker found a project management role on a marketing team. This role allowed them to leverage their organizational and problem-solving skills, while also providing exposure to marketing and product-related work.

What was the key turning point that led the speaker to pursue a career in product marketing?

The key turning point was when the speaker had conversations with industry professionals, such as Grant Duncan and Nick Bogardus. These conversations helped the speaker recognize their passion for storytelling, words, and product marketing, leading them to apply for a product marketing manager role.

How did the speaker prepare for the product marketing interview?

The speaker prepared by creating an extensive Google Doc with possible interview questions and rehearsing detailed, word-for-word answers. They also used external resources, including YouTube videos on interview preparation and podcasts on product marketing, to improve their knowledge.

What was the interview process like for the product marketing role?

The interview process involved multiple stages: a recruiter interview, a first interview with the hiring manager, a go-to-market strategy project, several cross-functional interviews, and an executive interview. The process was rigorous, testing both the speaker's experience and product marketing skills.

What specific areas did the speaker focus on during the product marketing interviews?

During the interviews, the speaker focused on connecting their past experience in project management and church work to product marketing, particularly in areas like sales enablement and product launches. They also had to demonstrate their understanding of marketing strategies and the ability to craft go-to-market plans.

What was the most challenging part of the interview process for the speaker?

The most challenging part was the psychological aspect of not second-guessing themselves. Despite having limited direct experience in product marketing, the speaker had to overcome self-doubt and trust in their abilities and the relevance of their past experiences.

What excites the speaker most about their role in product marketing?

The speaker is excited about the opportunity to work on product positioning and crafting stories around the product. They are also energized by the fresh perspective they bring to the company, which allows them to identify areas for quick wins and improvements.

What advice did the speaker offer for those looking to transition into product marketing?

The speaker advised that transitioning into product marketing requires significant preparation and learning, especially if you are coming from a different background. They emphasized the importance of not undervaluing your experience and being willing to put in the time to bridge knowledge gaps.