I keep hearing two different playbooks from people in my network. Some are telling me to start PM networking right now, even though I’m still in the process of deciding whether to apply to APM programs. Others are saying I shouldn’t bother networking until I’ve actually committed to one path or the other—either I’m grinding APM applications or I’m building a PM network, but not both.
The problem is these decisions feel interconnected. Like, if I start serious PM networking now, I might land a conversation that makes an APM program feel unnecessary. Or conversely, if I focus purely on APM applications now and get rejected, I feel like I’ve lost three months of networking runway.
I’m also wondering if starting PM networking while I’m in the middle of APM applications signals something weird to recruiters or PMs. Like, am I looking duplicitous if I’m reaching out to PMs for coffee while simultaneously submitting APM applications?
What’s the actual play here? Do you network first and let opportunity decide, or do you commit to one path and execute ruthlessly on that?
do both. this isn’t either/or. send your apm apps and also network—they’re not mutually exclusive. pms aren’t gonna judge you for also exploring apm programs. worst case you get good at having conversations, best case something actually converts. stopping yourself from networking because you’re uncertain is just procrastination dressed up as strategy.
yeah honestly starting now seems better than waiting?? like worst case u learn more abt what pms actually do before applyng anyway
Begin networking now. The information asymmetry is expensive—you don’t yet fully understand what product management actually entails in practice versus what recruiters describe. Simultaneous hedging of APM applications and networking is standard practice, not suspicious. Many accomplished PMs pursued both paths initially. Networking conversations will provide real data about whether APM programs align with your goals and timeline. This information is more valuable than waiting, and it strengthens your eventual applications regardless of which path you ultimately pursue.
Start networking now! You’ll learn so much about real PM work, and it’ll only strengthen your APM apps. No reason to wait!
I did this and it was actually helpful. Started reaching out to PMs while prepping APM apps, and honestly those conversations made me way more confident going into interviews because I could talk specifics instead of theory. Also one of the PMs I met ended up knowing a recruiter at a company I was applying to, so it all connected. Don’t see these as competing paths.
Timeline analysis suggests starting networking now optimizes total opportunity surface area. APM application cycles are typically longer (3-4 months with multiple rounds), whereas networking momentum compounds over weeks. Dual-track pursuit is common and unremarkable to PMs. Your conversations will provide signal about whether APM timing or direct PM opportunities align better with your timeline. Neither recruiters nor PMs view simultaneous exploration negatively; it’s standard practice among serious candidates.