An interview with someone in PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

So during my job search, I had the opportunity to interview an individual who has been working as a Product Manager for several different Silicon Valley startups. Currently, he is working for a Sequoia backed company and has gone from being their first PM to head of PM.

Here are the key takeaways...

STARTUP ATTRIBUTES YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:
- Size of the company: The bigger the company (number of employees), the less likely you'll be working on their core products and making changes that actually have an significant impact. For example, if you worked as a PM at Microsoft, you'd probably be "owning" something small in the product. However, if you're green, you may want to consider working there first and then jumping into startupland. Lastly, size does contribute to intensity of your job, number of hours you'll be working, and your salary/equity stake.
- Will the company make it?: This is sort of important, but you can spin it. He mentioned that he has seen a lot of resumes come across his desk from individuals who worked PM at companies that failed - and that's fine. However, its nice to work company that has a future and is not struggling to stay alive. Job security is something to think about...
- Which VC has backed the company: This, he said, is not as important. Surely, you may be able to generate great contacts, but it doesn't really impact your day-to-day... probably only as much as it being a small indicator for if company will make it.


WHAT DO MOST COMPANIES LOOK FOR:
- Experience: They ussually want someone they can put on the team and not require hand holding or much direction. In this case, his company is hiring for a PM to take over a job that he is already doing and just wants to pass the responsibility of the seemingly successful product for someone to take and run with.
- Knowledge of the product type: In this case, they are hiring for a local AD product - so knowledge of how this works is definitively a plus.

SUGGESTIONS:
- Don't sell yourself short. You have great consulting, technical, and entrepreneurial background that will probably make you a great manager once you get in there. Just keep knocking on doors and find a role where you can maybe bridge your way into PM.