Salami Hubeidah’s Post

How to BUILD YOUR CAREER as a PRODUCT 💥 💥 The best piece of advice I've received in my transition journey as a product manager is to build my career just like a product. Building your career as a product is a concept that applies principles of product management to the process of developing and advancing your professional career. It involves viewing yourself as a valuable asset(product) that requires strategic development and management to achieve your career goals. Building your career as a product is not only useful for aspiring/seasoned product managers; it’s a great strategy for success in any field. Here are 5 steps to take to build your Career as a Product.

If I were to start a new role, this is what I would do in the first 30-60-90 days. Starting a new role is exciting but overwhelming, but this is the framework that I have used since past 13 years for each new role and it has served me well! 30 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Spend this time understanding the company, processes, and your team. It is extremely important to know who the key players are even before you know more about the project & start building relationships with them. 60 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 Understand the scope of the project in detail, this includes the ‘WHY’, business value and the proposition. Set small goals that show your value. This is the “quick wins” phase. 90 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 Now is the time to shine! Showcase your contributions along with taking on more independent & challenging work. Refine strategies and setup the stage for long lasting impact. Remember: Every day is an opportunity to show up, learn, ask questions and grow. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼-𝘁𝗼-𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲? #programmanagement #productmanagement

How does a product manager land two offers in three months in an incredibly difficult market? In today’s feature, join me, Shobhit, the founder of Intentional Product Manager, as we dive into an enlightening conversation with Sally Niu. Sally, a marketer turned product manager, shares her transformative journey through our Intentional Job Search (IJS) program, where she successfully landed two job offers within just three months of joining. Sally walks us through her experience, detailing the pivotal moments and the comprehensive support she received that drastically improved her storytelling skills—something she identified as a major hurdle in her previous job applications. Despite having significant experience in both B2B SaaS and marketplace products, Sally struggled to convey her value effectively during interviews. IJS offered her the tools and coaching necessary to refine her narrative, align it with key product management competencies, and polish her personal branding across her resume and LinkedIn profile. What makes Sally's story even more compelling are the mock interviews and live practice sessions provided by IJS, which she credits for her newfound confidence and success in landing competitive roles. Additionally, Sally discusses her initial hesitations about the program's return on investment and how a recommendation from a trusted friend who was an IJS alumna finally convinced her to take the leap. Beyond just securing job offers, Sally highlights the invaluable network and community she gained through IJS—a supportive environment that continues to benefit her well beyond the job search. This video is a must-watch for any product managers who find themselves stuck or unnoticed in their career progression. Discover how intentional strategies and a supportive community can elevate your professional journey, just like they did for Sally. Watch and be inspired to redefine your own career path with Intentional Job Search, where we don't just prepare you to land a job; we prepare you to excel in it and make a significant impact in your field. Are you ready to be the next success story? Join us and transform your career trajectory with Intentional Job Search. Watch and Enjoy! Shobhit. Key Moments in this Episode ======================== 00:00 - Introduction and Impact on her career 01:44 - Her hesitations about Intentional Job Search and the decision to take the leap 02:50 - Her biggest AHA moments in the program 04:00 - Her advice for you https://lnkd.in/gmqDCrCu

Last year, people who knew me were saying, “you should move into product, you’d really like it.” But I wasn’t quite sure what they meant by that, or what a move to the product function could mean for me. I was curious but unsure. With the guidance of a Product Manager, I decided to ask myself some questions before making the decision. 1. What was product to me? Did my understanding reflect reality? (I researched online, bought books about product management, spoke with other PMs and read job descriptions on LinkedIn to find out.) 2. What were my proudest moments at work — the ones that made me feel fulfilled, motivated and excited? What skills was I utilising at those times? What made those moments special for me? 3. Was I interested in developing my conflict management, empathy and communication skills? (I wouldn’t call myself a “natural” people-person, but I have been passionately working on those skills for a while.) Heads up: this role works under pressure with a lot of stakeholders. I was told that being “technical” won’t be enough. 4. Did I got excited about the unknowns? Did I had the curiosity and humility to be proven wrong again and again? (PMs like to say, “focus on the problem, not the solutions” because even the “best solutions” could easily be proven wrong when put out to the market for testing.) 5. Was I a lifelong learner? Did I enjoy the process of learning? Product People, comment below if I’m missing anything. Best of luck to the rest! 💪 #CareerTransition #NewProductManager #CareerGoals

I hosted another group mentorship session on Saturday and someone asked me for advice for aspiring product managers looking to transition into the role. I was tempted to give the generic answers about resumes and cover letters, but that wasn't the full truth. Instead, I shared a bit about my own transition journey in 2019. At that time, three things really helped: 1. Grace: Being in the right place at the right time with the right opportunity. 2. Preparation: Ensuring I was ready for any chance that came my way. 3. Persistence: Demonstrating my passion and commitment to potential employers. These three became my mantra as I navigated the transition. I didn't land my first product role until July 2020, after learning the foundations of product management at ProductDive and six months of unemployment. All I had was knowledge and a willingness to use it. While we can't control grace, we can control our preparation and persistence. I like to apply the Pareto principle: be 80% prepared and 20% persistent. Both require intensity and commitment – you can't take your foot off the gas. This is a little bit of my own journey, and I'm sharing it with the hope that it might offer some help to those of you making the leap into product management. ---------- Speaking of product careers, I'm hosting a webinar on "Building Your Career Like a Product." We'll cover: 1. Why it's crucial to manage your career intentionally 2. Common career mistakes we PMs make (and how to avoid them!) 3. How to use The Product (Career) Lifecycle framework for your Career 4. How to prioritize the right skills at your current level If you'd like to attend, register here: https://lu.ma/38bv1esq Have a great week!

Everyone's path to Product Management is different, but I'm curious what did your path look like? Do you think you’ve followed a ‘typical’ career path to your current Product role? 💬👇 ... What steps did you take to get to where you are today? Let me know in the comments.👇 We're writing an article on the topic and we'd love to hear your stories.

This is a great thread describing the varied and interesting career paths of many product professionals. If you ask "How do I get into product management?," the answer might be: from almost anywhere. Also, our biggest tip for early career professionals who want to get into product management is to start as a member of a product team. You might be a developer, designer, researcher, coordinator, copywriter, analyst. But get yourself on a cross-functional product team. See how they operate, prioritize, decide. That's the best first step to product management.

🎉 LinkedIn gave me a special gift! 🎉 I've been recognized as a "𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞" 🌟 As I celebrate my one-year anniversary as a Product Manager, this recognition holds special significance. Reflecting on the past year, I vividly remember the leap I took from software engineering to product management—filled with curiosity and doubt. 🙃 Yet, what followed was an adventure where every challenge helped me grow. 🧗♀️ Product management has not only been a gratifying profession but has also imparted invaluable lessons applicable to my personal life. Here are key things I've learned as a PM that have made my personal life better: ⏰ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨: Time is limited, and our hands are always full. Just as we prioritize work with higher ROI, I apply the same principle at home. Delegating executional tasks, even if it means shelling out extra $$, and making time for tasks that align with bigger life goals. Outsourcing where possible has been a game-changer. 💫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧: As a PM you may not have all the answers, but you know how to arrive at a solution. This mindset has transcended into my personal life, where daunting goals no longer intimidate me. I know that with a high-level plan and help from experts, as long as I am willing to take baby steps, even the loftiest of goals can be achieved. 🤸♂️ 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: As diligent planners, PMs know that things can go haywire. Market patterns change, strategies need to pivot, and adaptability is key. This experience has taught me to flow with change and get into action mode faster, rather than dwelling on the setbacks or succumbing to self-pity. 🤝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: In product management, clear communication is paramount. I have moved from being a lazy communicator to a diligent one in my personal life as well. By eliminating room for misunderstandings, you make things simpler for yourself and people around you. There's so much more that I learnt in the last one year, but I'll leave it at these four. If you're a PM, I'd love to hear how this career has made you a better person. 🚀 #ProductManagement #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #LinkedInTopVoice

I'm often asked: "Am I too old to begin a career in Product?" The short answer is no. Let me explain... The truth is that: - None of us are born as Product Managers. - None of us are born as Subject Experts. - None of us are born with Experience. And we all start from the same place, the beginning. But what we can do is learn. Some will pick it up quicker than others. Some will have to work harder at it. But we can all become what we dream of becoming. It just takes hard work. So what are you waiting for? --- ⬇️ How old were you when you got your first PM role? ♻️ Reshare to inspire others to pursue their dreams.

FOCUS IS ABOUT SAYING NO. Focus isn't just about choosing what to pursue, it's about deciding what to leave behind. With so many good ideas and potential projects out there, it can be tempting to say "yes" to everything that comes my way but I've learned that growth often means narrowing down, not expanding. In my own journey, especially through my recent experiences in product management, I've found that saying "no" is powerful. Every "no" allows me to deepen my commitment to the paths that truly align with my goals and values. This approach has reshaped how I set priorities. Instead of spreading my energy thin across various interests, I’m learning to direct it fully into the initiatives that resonate most deeply. It’s not always easy, turning down exciting opportunities or ideas can feel like a risk but I've come to see that focus is about cultivating depth over breadth. As I continue developing my career in product management, this principle keeps me grounded. By channeling my attention and effort into fewer, more meaningful goals, I'm able to make a more intentional impact.