How to Get a Product Manager Job with No Prior Experience
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- 5 min read
Transition from Software Engineer to Product Manager Role
A large number of software engineers eventually start thinking about what’s next in their careers. After spending years building and improving products, they begin to wonder, What if I could help decide what the product should be, not just how it works? That’s where becoming a product manager (PM) comes in. It’s a common move—about 3 out of 10 product managers started their careers as software engineers, so you’re not alone in thinking about this transition.
It makes sense—software engineers are problem solvers who understand the technology behind the product. Transitioning to product management allows them to apply that knowledge in a bigger way, focusing not just on how to build something, but why it’s being built and who it’s for.
The downside is that while a logical step, it is easier said than done. A product manager has to do more than comprehend technology — he or she must think like a customer, understand business value propositions, and navigate through many functions across an organization. The great news is that it is completely possible to make this transition with an appropriate approach.
This blog has practical tips and real-world stories from people who have done it, along with ideas to help smooth your conversion.
Key Takeaways:
- The transition from a software engineer to a product manager is a common and achievable career move if approached correctly.
- Product managers take care of customer needs, product vision, and business strategy and software engineers take care of technical execution.
- Product managers usually receive more pay compared to software engineers because they take up a bigger and broader set of responsibilities.
- Leadership, customer empathy, and business knowledge are important traits to develop when moving into product management.
- Both are very important, but they present views into the success of a product from totally opposite ends of the same stick – the one that makes the vision, the other that builds it.
What Does a Product Manager Do?
A product manager (PM) has a very important role in taking a product its ideation and conception to launch in the market and even beyond that. Unlike a software engineer, who focuses on technical execution, the product manager’s job revolves around understanding customer needs, defining the product strategy, and ensuring that the product delivers value to both the business and the users.
Product managers act like “CEOs of the product,” they work with engineers, designers, marketers, and others to create a product.The goal of the team is to make sure the product not only works well but also connects with users and supports the company’s objectives.
Some important tasks that a product manager typically handles are;
- Determining the Objective of the Product: The product manager identifies the problem that the product intends to address through a series of steps that involve market research and customer feedback to align with the business goals. Develop a strategy outlining the product’s intended features and functionality. For example, think about Sundar Pichai when he was working on Google Chrome. He saw people needed a faster, safer way to surf the web. His vision for Chrome was simple: make it secure yet light as a feather which eventually made it everyone’s favorite browser!
- Establishing the Strategy and Vision for the Product: Once they’ve nailed down what issue their product tackles, next up is charting the course—setting clear directions and plans. This includes deciding all those cool features that’ll make our lives easier or more fun. Take Pichai’s approach with Chrome; his strategy wasn’t just about making another browser but focusing on speedier performance, ease of use, and really nailing user satisfaction which set it apart from others.
- Prioritizing Features and Roadmap Planning Decisions: Finding what to focus on and how to map out future plans is a bit like solving a complex jigsaw puzzle. A product manager would have to balance many competing factors in the process since they need to weigh up users’ demands against business goals and available resources.
- Tracking Product Performance and Iterating: After the product is launched, product managers continue to monitor its performance. They collect user feedback, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and make adjustments to the product as needed. If users find a particular feature confusing, for example, the product manager works with engineers to refine it and improve the user experience.
A product manager’s role is multifaceted, requiring both strategic thinking and execution. Success is measured not just by the technical performance of the product, but by how well it meets users’ needs and supports business growth.
What Does a Software Engineer Do?
Software engineers create the digital world. They build working software based on ideas and designs by writing code, debugging, and maintaining efficient stable systems. Product managers own the big picture strategy and user experience around a product, and engineers are tasked with getting down into the nitty-gritty technical details that bring that strategy to life.
Here are some main tasks software engineers handle:
- Writing and Testing Code: Coding forms the core of what a software engineer does. Engineers take the specs and design the product manager gives them and turn these into working software. This means they write neat, fast, and expandable code that runs the product’s features. After they finish the code, they need to check it to make sure it works right and doesn’t cause any glitches or slow things down.
- Building and Implementing Features: At this stage, engineering begins work on all the features that were identified in the product roadmap as well to be built. They write code that is compliant with these specifications while making sure it plays well with the other components in vivo. The engineers at Netflix that fine-tuned the video streaming algorithms to provide silky smooth playback no matter how bad the net connection is a prime example of this. Netflix can dynamically change the streaming bitrate of video based on sudden changes in available bandwidth, among other factors that ensure smooth operation for its millions of users around the world.
- Debugging and Problem-Solving: Most of the working time by software engineers is spent trying to solve problems and fix things as and when they arise either during development or after the market has been launched. A good example is Slack: when the app slows down or starts behaving erratically, the engineers jump into the code to figure out what is causing the problem, and then implement fixes to get the app going fast and reliable.
- Maintaining and Improving Systems: Even after the launch of a product, engineers track how it functions and operates to ensure it does not malfunction. This involves getting rid of bugs, raising performance, and incorporating new features or updates. For example, engineers at Facebook are always working to be sure that Facebook scales properly and continually supports billions of users.
- Collaboration with Product Teams: While the technical aspect is being designed by engineers, the product managers and designers work in conjunction with them to ensure that technical implementation of the product lines up fairly well with its purposes. The engineers study what can be technically possible and how best to improve the performance and efficiency of the product.
In short, software engineers are the ones who turn ideas into working software. They are responsible for the technical execution of a product, ensuring that it functions as intended and provides a smooth experience for the user.
Key Differences Between the Role of Product Manager and Software Engineer
When transitioning from software engineer to product manager, it’s helpful to understand the distinct responsibilities each role holds. While both roles work closely to bring a product to life, they focus on different aspects of the product’s journey. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key differences between product managers and software engineers to give you a clearer picture of how their day-to-day work varies:
Aspect | Product Manager | Software Engineer |
Focus | Customer needs, business strategy, and product vision | Technical implementation, coding, and building the product |
Responsibilities | Defines product purpose, sets roadmap, collaborates with cross-functional teams, tracks product success | Writes and tests code, builds features, maintains and optimizes systems |
Decision-Making | Makes strategic decisions regarding product features, user experience, and business impact | Makes technical decisions on code quality, system architecture, and performance |
Collaboration | Works with engineers, designers, marketers, sales, and stakeholders | Collaborates primarily with product managers and other engineers |
Main Output | Product roadmap, feature prioritization, business outcomes | Functional and efficient code that powers the product |
Performance Metrics | Success of product in the market, user satisfaction, business growth | Code quality, system reliability, performance, and scalability |
Customer Interaction | Regularly interacts with customers to understand their needs and gather feedback | Limited direct interaction with customers, focuses on technical requirements |
Skill Set | Strategic thinking, leadership, market analysis, communication | Programming languages, debugging, problem-solving, system design |
Ownership | Responsible for the overall success of the product | Responsible for delivering technical solutions for product features |
Career Path | May advance to Head of Product, Chief Product Officer | May advance to Lead Engineer, Engineering Manager, CTO |
Must-Have Skills for Product Managers
Becoming a product manager requires a whole new set of skills beyond technical knowledge. Here are the must-haves:
- Customer Empathy: Understanding the user’s pain points and needs is key. You need to think like the customer and make sure the product solves real problems for them.
- Communication: As a product manager you’ll be the bridge between engineers, designers, marketers, and stakeholders. Clear communication keeps everyone aligned and focused on the product goals.
- Leadership: Even though you don’t have direct control over teams, you need to inspire and lead them toward a common vision. Strong leadership is key to getting everyone behind your product.
- Problem Solving: A good product manager can think on their feet, and find solutions to problems as they arise. Whether it’s a technical challenge or a strategic decision, you need to approach problems with a clear logical mind.
- Business Acumen: Knowing how your product fits into the business is essential. You need to know how your product drives revenue, what the market looks like, and how to make smart trade-offs between business goals and customer satisfaction.
- Prioritization: With limited resources and time prioritization is key. You need to decide what to build first, what problems to solve now, and what can wait. This means balancing customer needs, technical feasibility, and business impact.
- Strategic Thinking: You need to look beyond the day-to-day tasks and think about the long-term direction of the product. This means setting a vision, creating a roadmap and continuously aligning the product to the company’s overall goals.
Salary Comparison of Software Engineer vs. Product Manager in India
When considering a career switch, salary is often a big factor. Let’s break down the salary range for both software engineers and product managers at different stages in their careers in India:
Software Engineer Salaries in India:
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): ₹3,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 per year. Fresh graduates typically start here, depending on the company and their technical skills.
- Mid-Level (3-6 years): ₹6,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 per year. At this stage, engineers have experience and may take on more complex coding tasks or leadership roles within their teams.
- Mid-Senior Level (6-10 years): ₹12,00,000 to ₹18,00,000 per year. These engineers are highly experienced, possibly leading teams, working on critical projects, or specializing in advanced areas of technology.
- Senior Level (10+ years): ₹18,00,000 to ₹30,00,000+ per year. Senior engineers are often responsible for designing systems, making key technical decisions, and mentoring younger team members.
Product Manager Salaries in India:
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): ₹8,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 per year. This is typical for someone who is just starting out in product management after transitioning from another field like engineering.
- Mid-Level (3-6 years): ₹12,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 per year. Product managers at this level usually manage the full product lifecycle and have some experience leading cross-functional teams.
- Mid-Senior Level (6-10 years): ₹20,00,000 to ₹30,00,000 per year. These product managers are often responsible for managing multiple products or larger teams and play a strategic role within the company.
- Senior Level (10+ years): ₹30,00,000 to ₹50,00,000+ per year. Senior product managers or heads of product departments are involved in high-level strategy, managing significant parts of the business, and leading product innovation.
(Source: Glassdoor, Payscale)
Who Earns More? Generally, product managers tend to earn more than software engineers, especially as they progress in their careers. This is largely due to the broader scope of responsibilities in product management, which includes decision-making that directly impacts the company’s revenue, strategy, and overall success.
How to Transition from Software Engineer to Product Manager
Switching from software engineer to product manager may seem like a big jump but many engineers have made the transition successfully. Here are the steps to help you do the same:
- Learn About Product Management: Start by reading books, articles, and case studies about product management. Marty Cagan’s Inspired is a great resource that explains the role of a product manager in a simple and fun way.
- Understand Customer Needs: Product management is about solving real problems for real people. Think of how Netflix engineers focused on improving video streaming quality—not just for the sake of better tech but to give users a better viewing experience.
- Take on Product Manager Tasks: Start by taking on small product management tasks in your current role. Volunteer to lead a project, plan, or work with different teams to gain experience
- Get Certified: Consider formal training in product management. Programs like the Post Graduate Program in Product Management from Institute of Product Leadership (IPL) can help you develop the skills you’ll need.
- Network with Product Managers: Talk to product managers at your company or in your network to learn from their experiences. Their insights can guide you and help you avoid common mistakes during the transition.
Common Challenges in Transitioning from Software Engineer to Product Manager
Upon taking a fresh career path, you will face new challenges. Here are a few barriers that a professional faces in making a career change from a software engineer to a product manager, and how to overcome them:
- Saying Goodbye to the Code: As a product manager, writing code is no longer a major task that you have to do. This can be challenging in the beginning, but do not forget that you are not working on those details anymore; your job is to manage the process.
- Learning Business Skills: You’ll need to build business knowledge, which might feel new. Start small by learning about your company’s business model, revenue streams, and market positioning.
- Leading Without Authority: It is common for product managers to take charge of a project or team with no hierarchical clouts. For effective leadership, you will need to build up a strong rapport and communicate effectively.
- Balancing Strategy and Technical Knowledge: You will have to leverage your technical experience, but not get lost in details, since the product strategy is in focus now.
- Understanding the Customer: Changing from a technical person to one who considers customers’ needs can be difficult. Make sure you develop an understanding of empathy and always consider the experience of the end user.
Transitioning from a software engineer to a product manager may seem like a giant leap, but it is a rational progression and attainable for those who wish to extend their reach. As a software engineer, you’ve learned the craft of creation and troubleshooting to perfection.
Now, as a product manager, you’ll have the opportunity to guide the product’s direction, ensuring it not only works but also solves real customer problems and drives business success.
This journey won’t happen overnight, but with the right skills, mindset, and determination, you can make this transition smoothly. Embrace the learning process, build new competencies like customer empathy and business acumen, and take on leadership challenges that come your way. Many have successfully made this leap, and so can you.
Ultimately, stepping into the role of a product manager will allow you to see the bigger picture—shaping not just the product’s code, but its entire purpose and success in the market.
Becoming a Product Manager is a rewarding career path with many growth opportunities in product management. If you’re looking to start your journey, consider the courses offered by the Institute of Product Leadership (IPL). IPL provides an on-campus UGC-accredited Executive MBA in product management degree program and live online product management courses to help you build the necessary skills and network to succeed in this field. With the right skills and mentoring you can successfully navigate your journey to becoming a product manager in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on how actively you work to develop new skills and take on product manager responsibilities.
Yes, many engineers transition without business experience, but learning business fundamentals through reading, courses, or mentorship will help.
Key skills include communication, leadership, customer empathy, and decision-making based on business strategy.
Companies like Flipkart, Zomato, Paytm, and Amazon are known for hiring engineers who are transitioning into product management roles.
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