I’m coming from a finance background with zero PM experience, and I’m trying to break into APM programs at top tech companies. The whole networking piece feels like the biggest blocker right now. I’ve read a ton of generic advice about “reaching out to PMs” and “building relationships,” but honestly, most of it feels surface-level. I don’t have a warm network in tech, so I’m basically starting cold.
I’ve been thinking about this strategically—like, who should I actually be targeting? Should I go after current PMs at my target companies, or would alumni from the APM program be more receptive? And when I do reach out, what’s the actual message that makes someone respond instead of just ignoring another LinkedIn request?
I’m also wondering about the follow-up game. After a first conversation, what’s the one move that actually leads somewhere? I want to be respectful of people’s time but also not disappear after one coffee chat.
For anyone who’s done this from a similar position—non-traditional background, no existing PM network—what were your actual first steps, and what surprised you about the process?
look, most ppl message like robots. they copy paste some linkedin template garbage and wonder why they get ghosted. you want responses? be specific about why you’re reaching out to that person specifically. mention something they actually shipped or wrote. and don’t ask for coffee immediately—ask for 15 mins. also, finance background is actually decent positioning if you frame the analytical side right. just dont lead with “im trying to get into pm.”
this is so relatable! i think targeting alumni might be easier since theyre already used to helping apm candidates. just focus on quality over quantity w your outreach. maybe try to find ppl who transitioned from non-pm roles 2? theyd probly be more supportive
Your instinct about targeting is sound. I’d recommend a two-pronged approach: prioritize alumni from your target companies’ APM programs first—they’ve been through the filter and understand what converts. They’re also more likely to warm-introduce you to current PMs. For cold outreach to active PMs, personalization is non-negotiable. Reference something specific about their product decisions or recent launches. After an initial conversation, the follow-up should demonstrate you’ve incorporated their feedback or built on their insights. Don’t just say thanks; show you’re thinking differently because of what they shared. This positions you as coachable.
You’ve got this! Your finance background is actually a huge asset—diversity of perspective matters. Start with alumni, build momentum, and remember people love helping genuine, thoughtful people. You’re on the right track.
I was in consulting before APM, so similar non-PM background. Honestly, the best conversation I had came from genuinely asking someone about a specific product decision they made—not asking for help getting into APM. We talked for like 45 minutes about how they thought through a feature launch. Three weeks later she introduced me to her manager. The magic was that I wasn’t transactional from the start.
also real talk—dont spam 50 ppl with personalized messages. that’s still spam. pick like 10-15 ppl max, craft actual thoughtful outreach for each, and actually wait for responses. the people who get interviews are the ones who go deep not wide.
Good question from the junior—worth clarifying. Most APM programs list alumni on their websites or career pages. You can also use LinkedIn’s search filters: company, graduation year, and keyword searches like “Associate Product Manager” + company name. APM Slack communities and Discord servers—which many programs maintain—are goldmines for direct introductions and mentorship. Some programs even have structured mentorship matching, which removes cold outreach friction entirely.
Alumni networks are your secret weapon! They genuinely want to help and remember being in your shoes. You’ll be amazed at how many say yes to a thoughtful message!
I actually joined the APM program’s alumni Slack before I even applied, just lurked and got to know people. When I did reach out individually, they kinda recognized my name from discussions. Felt way less cold. Plus I learned so much about what the program actually valued just from listening.
Alumni databases yield approximately 40-50% response rates compared to 5-10% for cold outreach to active PMs. Program-specific Slack channels show 60%+ engagement—community context significantly increases receptivity. If available, structured mentorship programs reduce friction further; research indicates mentees from formal programs convert to interviews at roughly 2.5x the rate of independent networkers.