I’m a Toronto-based product manager with about 7 years of experience, but I’m having a tough time securing my next position. My professional journey includes 4 years in the telecommunications sector (with 2 years focused on product roles), 3 years in fintech as a product owner and manager, and currently 1 year at a venture studio where I handle client projects.
I aim to move back into industry roles, particularly in fintech. For the last 3 months, I’ve been applying for product manager and senior product manager roles. I often get interviews and make progress through case assessments, yet I face rejections at the final stage involving department heads or CTOs.
The feedback I receive is inconsistent. Sometimes they’re unable to proceed because the role is put on hold or the requirements change. At other times, they opt for candidates with more specialized knowledge. For example, one interviewer mentioned I lacked depth in my responses, while another provided positive feedback but went with someone who had more specific expertise.
I’m questioning if my 3-4 years of experience in tech product roles meets the current expectations of employers as the market grows increasingly competitive.
To improve my chances, I’m contemplating several strategies:
Taking courses to deepen my understanding of product frameworks and problem-solving techniques
Partnering with a career coach who focuses on product management
Transitioning temporarily into strategy and operations roles to gain more industry insight
Pursuing an MBA or a technical program to expand my network and skills
Has anyone here faced similar hurdles in their product management careers? What strategies worked for you to advance to the next level?
Been there 2 years ago - final round rejections sting like hell. I reached out to PMs at those companies (not hiring managers, just regular team members) through LinkedIn. Half the time they’d tell me what really happened - budget cuts, internal hires, whatever. You might be coming across too generalist? I picked one area to geek out about - growth metrics for me - and steered every conversation there. Your venture studio experience shows adaptability perfectly, just frame it right.
You’re overthinking this. 7 years experience + final rounds means you’re doing fine - the market’s just brutal right now. Companies are being ridiculously picky. Skip the MBA, that’s just expensive procrastination. That “lack of depth” feedback? Probably BS. They likely found someone cheaper or had internal politics going on. Keep grinding interviews and maybe drop your salary expectations for now. Sometimes you’ve got to step back to move forward - that’s this economy for you.
Hey CEO101! You’re almost there - final rounds mean you’ve got the skills. Practice mock interviews with other PMs to nail your storytelling. Your diverse background is a huge asset!
It sounds like you’re encountering a common barrier that many experienced professionals face during the interview process. Your extensive background in both telecommunications and fintech should be a strong asset, but it’s crucial to effectively communicate your unique experiences and insights. Focus on articulating your product management philosophy clearly and how you approach problem-solving in different contexts. Rather than pursuing additional schooling right now, consider setting up informational interviews with product leaders in your target companies to gain insights into the specific challenges they face and how they tackle them. Additionally, create a portfolio that quantifies your impact in past roles through metrics related to user engagement and revenue increases. This will not only highlight your achievements but also demonstrate a strategic perspective that can set you apart. Your experience in the venture studio will undoubtedly lend versatility to your approach, which you should position as a strong point during discussions. Lastly, prepare concrete case studies that clearly illustrate your thought processes from conception to execution; this will resonate well with executives looking for depth in candidates.