I’m feeling pretty stuck in my career right now and could really use some advice. I’ve been working in tech for over 15 years, mostly as a BA and PM in various companies around the Bay Area. I have all the certifications you’d expect - PMP, Scrum Master, Product Owner certs, plus a business degree.
But honestly, I’m starting to think all those credentials don’t matter much. It seems like getting ahead is more about who you know and having the right people advocate for you. Problem is, I don’t really have those connections right now.
A few years back I switched to freelance consulting because I was burned out from the corporate grind. I’ve worked with some solid clients in finance and social platforms, which has been great experience. But now I’m ready to step up to a management role - either leading a product team or running programs. The thing is, I’m not getting much response when I apply for full-time leadership positions.
I keep seeing other people make this jump from individual contributor to manager, sometimes even staying at the same company. Meanwhile I feel completely stuck.
Does anyone have tips for getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers? Is building your professional network really the only path to landing these senior roles?
I’m open to any career advice or suggestions that might help me finally make this transition.
This struggle is super common - about 60% of professionals hit this wall, especially in tech. Your freelance consulting experience is actually a huge advantage here. You’ve already managed client relationships and project outcomes on your own, which is exactly what leadership requires.
Target companies that value consulting backgrounds. They’ll appreciate the business sense and client skills you’ve built. Plus, tons of companies now care more about leadership potential than traditional management experience.
Skip the pure management roles for now. Look for positions like “Senior Product Manager - Team Lead” or “Principal BA” instead. These bridge the gap between individual contributor and full management. Most people move into proper leadership roles within 12-18 months from there.
Your transition struggles aren’t about qualifications - it’s positioning. You’ve got tons of consulting experience that shows executive-level decision-making and client management skills most internal candidates don’t have. The problem? Companies can’t figure out how your freelance wins translate to their world. Target mid-market companies going through digital transformation. They’re desperate for leaders who get both tech delivery and business strategy - that’s exactly you. Plus they’re way more open to hiring non-traditional candidates. Your resume probably focuses too much on project delivery instead of team development and strategic vision. Leadership roles want to see how you influenced outcomes through other people, even as a consultant. Rewrite your consulting work to show stakeholder alignment, cross-team collaboration, and how you managed organizational change. Also look into interim leadership gigs or contract-to-hire setups. Companies often use these as extended interviews for permanent roles, and your consulting background makes you perfect for them.
Your consulting background proves you can handle complex stuff! Hit up startups - they’re always looking for experienced freelancers who get business needs. Most don’t bother with traditional hiring and care more about results than who you know. You’ve got this!
Been there 3 years ago. What worked wasn’t just networking - I had to show leadership publicly. Started writing Medium articles about project challenges I’d solved, spoke at local meetups, and mentored junior PMs in communities like this. Sounds cheesy, but hiring managers began reaching out to me instead. Show your thought leadership, don’t just talk about your certs. And hit up former colleagues who’ve moved up. They know your work and can vouch for you way better than random LinkedIn connections.
After 15 years, if you’re still not getting noticed, networking might not be the only problem. Freelance work actually works against you here - companies see those gaps and question whether you can commit to full-time work again. Hiring managers get suspicious of consultants trying to become employees. They assume you’ll jump back to freelancing the moment things get difficult. You might need to step back into senior IC roles first, rebuild your credibility as an employee, then move up internally. It sucks, but that’s how it works.
Your timing’s probably off - most companies aren’t hiring new managers right now. I’d focus on internal moves at places where you’re already consulting. Way easier when they know your work and you don’t need to prove yourself again.