Network your way to the right PM role
Finding a job is a long and tedious process on both ends. For the job seeker, this is an arduous path to identifying the right role, right…
Finding a job is a long and tedious process on both ends. For the job seeker, this is an arduous path to identifying the right role, right company, right team and right salary. For the hiring manager as well, s/he has to go through a few steps before they can hire a great candidate. That’s why most hiring managers reach first into their network, this is particularly true for hiring for PM roles.
Silicon Valley and the innumerable “networking” events has given networking a little bit of notoriety. Networking is more than just going to some networking event and collecting and handing out business cards. Reaching out to people through social media, friends, communities and establishing a genuine relationship where both parties are benefitting from the relationship really builds a great network and one that you can go back to repeatedly. If done the rightway, networking can help you go far beyond what you originally set out to do.
Some simple rules to be observed: Be respectful, Keep it simple (don’t write 300 word essays), Be humble in seeking help, Always offer to help where you can and lastly, don’t be annoying. If you are trying to network with a powerful person, chances are that you are not the only one. The other, valuable thing I’ve learnt is — Most people want to help. Make it as easy as possible for them to help you. Here are some tips I’ve found useful along my journey -
Network with your peers — Your PM peers are your best resource of information. Finding out what jobs exist, how to best communicate your preparation to a potential hiring manager etc is best done through the help of the community. I co-founded Advancingwomeninproduct.org (do join!) to encourage product managers to build a community. Reach out regularly, always offer to help and do not hesitate to ask for advice. If you are suffering through a problem, chances are others are as well and by asking the question first, you may be prodding others to a better answer and helping yourself and them in the process. In fact, all my jobs in my career except one, came through because of my network.
Network with employees of potential companies you want to work for — This one is an interesting one. In 2009, I applied to FB for a role as a PM. I was a PM at Intel prior and naturally didn’t get a call for the job interview. I applied again to Twitter in 2010 with no success.I kept failing and didn’t realize what I was doing wrong and wasn’t getting much feedback through the hiring process either. I realized quickly that employees of potential companies that you want to get hired for are a great resource to help understand the culture of the company, their hiring practices and in general getting to know some smart and interesting people that could be your future co-workers. After all, today’s employee is tomorrow’s hiring manager or co-worker.
Network with engineering managers, data scientists and product designers — Engineering managers continuously work with Product folks, and can be great internal advocates if they believe you have the right tech chops, are a great communicator and overall good personality. Become friends with them, take them out to coffee. Get to know them, their guidance will help you will in faring interviews, but more importantly they are so well connected usually that they probably know all the key product people in the organization. A great engineering manager is a great resource in so many ways. The same goes to connecting to data scientists and product designers.
Network with senior PMs — Connecting yourself to senior Product Managers, successfully using them as your mentors can be immensely valuable. Know that most senior PMs are busy in their jobs and are already doing a lot of networking and spending time over email. Most sought after PMs get at least 10 new Linkedin requests per day and at least a dozen emails with folks seeking help for job interviews, referrals etc. Assuming the PM works for 60–70 hours a week, make it really easy for them to help you. The senior PM cannot be your resource to every basic question. Use their time wisely. You have at best a one shot, 10–30 min of someone’s time. Have your best questions ready. Show that you have done everything you can before you seek their help. And lastly, don’t forget to thank them and follow-up once you’ve landed a role. They will appreciate it.
Network after you get the job to succeed in the job — Once you are in the job, one of the key aspects of success is to build influence in your organization. Get help where you can, offer to help where you can. Make it really easy for people to like you and get out of their way.
Network with investors of companies who can connect you to powerful people — Networking with venture capitalists is a big one. Most VCs try to help the founders of the portfolio companies by connecting and recruiting the best talent for them. Get to know them, and get them to know you.
Network with other networkers — Other networkers are a powerhouse. There is a catch here though. There is an unwritten QpQ (quid pro quo) in networking with the networkers. Their value only increases if you are able to connect them to a network that they didn’t actually have. Show your gratitude and when it is your turn, again offer to help or connect them with other valuable connections.
Good luck with your job hunt!