How to Become a Product Manager with Zero Experience

In this post, I am sharing how to get into product management. How do you develop the essential skills needed to secure a job in product management? – Stick with me, and I will walk you through the ins and outs of becoming a product manager, even if you're starting from absolute zero. 

What Is a Product Manager?

Picture this: You've got an idea for the next big thing. Who's going to turn that lightbulb moment into something real? Enter the product manager. Their role is to guide your initial idea from a simple sketch on a napkin to a fully-fledged product in the hands of your customers. And their job doesn't stop there – they keep tinkering, improving, and adding new features based on what users actually want. 

From initial conception through post-launch phases, product managers are responsible for customer research, feature development, and overall product strategy. Think of them as the ultimate jack-of-all-trades in the business world who oversee the entire lifecycle of a product. 

Product managers play a crucial role in various industries and organizations, from large multinational corporations to emerging startups. In recent years, the product manager (PM) role has become increasingly important within technology teams, with PMs having a significant influence on key product decisions.

Many product managers use their experience to start their own businesses, and this career path is gaining recognition as one of the most promising professions, especially in the technology sector.

The diverse nature of product management, which involves strategic thinking, technical knowledge, and business acumen, has contributed to its growing popularity as a sought-after career option in today's dynamic business environment.

What is Product Management?

Product management is the strategic process responsible for guiding a product's journey from conception to market success. It is vital within companies and involves managing the entire lifecycle of a product, from planning and development to ongoing improvements. 

Product management includes setting a clear vision and strategy, aligning with business goals, and focusing on user satisfaction. This requires expertise in business, technology, data analysis, and user experience design.

What Does a Product Manager Do?

Product managers are integral to an organization's product development process. They act as the nexus between business strategy, user needs, and technological capabilities, orchestrating efforts to create successful products that meet market demands and drive business growth.

• Conducting Customer and Market Research: This involves executing primary research through focus groups and surveys, as well as analyzing secondary research from sources like government statistics and research agencies. Through these efforts, product managers identify customer pain points, validate product ideas, and gain insights into brand perception. This research forms the foundation for understanding market opportunities and guiding product development.
• Problem Positioning: Problem positioning is another crucial aspect of a product manager's role. Product managers take their research findings and define the core problems customers face. They then synthesize large volumes of data into concise, compelling narratives, effectively communicating the importance of these identified problems to internal stakeholders.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Cross-functional collaboration is integral to a product manager's daily activities. While they oversee the entire product creation and launch process, they often take a consultative approach with different departments. For instance, they might consult with software engineers on product development or work closely with marketing teams on promotion strategies. This collaborative approach ensures that the product vision is effectively translated across all aspects of development and launch.
• Product Road Mapping: Product road mapping is a critical task that product managers undertake. They create comprehensive roadmaps that outline their vision for the product, including milestones, priorities, and success metrics. These roadmaps serve as action plans, detailing assignments for different departments, deadlines for task completion, and key product features. Through road mapping, product managers create timelines, prioritize features, and align different teams on key goals.
• Strategic Planning: Strategic planning is woven into all aspects of a product manager's role. They must constantly balance user needs with technical feasibility and business viability. This involves making data-driven decisions about product direction and ensuring that the product strategy aligns with overall business objectives.
• Oversight and Coordination: Product managers monitor development progress, ensure adherence to deadlines and quality standards, coordinate product launches, and oversee post-launch performance. This ongoing involvement allows them to implement improvements based on real-world performance and user feedback.

This diverse set of responsibilities requires product managers to be versatile, analytical, and adept at communication, enabling them to drive product success in competitive markets.

Foundational Skills You Need to Become a Product Manager

If you're looking to break into this exciting field, you'll need to arm yourself with a solid set of skills. Let's  talk about the core skills you'll need that'll set you up for success in the world of product management: 

• Data-driven mindset: As a product manager, you'll be immersed in data every day. You'll need to think analytically and be comfortable with statistical concepts. Analytical tools like Google Analytics and Tableau will become your best friends in making sense of all that data.
• Communication skills: Both verbal and written communication are key – you'll be the bridge between different teams and stakeholders. You'll be the go-to person for translating complex ideas into simple terms that everyone can understand. Whether you're writing user stories, presenting to stakeholders, or chatting with developers, clear communication is key to getting your point across and keeping everyone on the same page.
• User-centric approach: You'll be the go-to person for translating complex ideas into simple terms that everyone can understand. Whether you're writing user stories, presenting to stakeholders, or chatting with developers, clear communication is key to getting your point across and keeping everyone on the same page.
• Technical Expertise: While you don't need to be a coding expert, having a solid grasp of technology is crucial for a successful Product Manager. Understanding software development processes, agile methodologies, and technical constraints allows you to collaborate effectively with engineering teams. Familiarity with tools like JIRA or Confluence, and the ability to facilitate discovery sessions, craft detailed user stories, and develop comprehensive product roadmaps, will not only enhance your credibility but also enable you to drive product success more effectively. This technical acumen is what differentiates a great PM from the rest.
• Leadership abilities: You'll need to guide cross-functional teams and lead discussions like a pro.  As a product manager, you'll be the captain of your product's ship, steering it through choppy waters and toward success. You'll need to inspire your team, manage stakeholders, and always keep the big picture in mind.
• Strategic thinking: A high-level understanding of the industry and the competitive landscape is essential.

So there you have it – the foundational skills you'll need to kick-start your product management career.

9 Steps to Become a Product Manager with Zero Experience 

1. Build Your Foundational Knowledge of Product Management

You wouldn't try to build a house without first understanding the basics of construction, right? The same goes for product management. While hands-on experience is golden in this field, you've got to start somewhere. And that somewhere is building your foundational knowledge.

Here's why it matters:

• It gives you the vocabulary: PM has its own language. Learning key terms and concepts helps you speak the talk and understand what seasoned PMs are saying.
• It helps you hit the ground running: When you land that first PM role, you won't be starting from scratch. You'll have a framework to build on.
• It shows dedication: Employers love seeing candidates who've taken the initiative to learn on their own. It shows you're serious about the field.
• It helps you decide if PM is right for you: By immersing yourself in PM concepts, you'll gain a deeper understanding of what the job entails.

First off, start with reading books! "Product Management for Dummies" by Brian Lawley and Pamela Schure is a great starting point. For a deeper dive into user psychology, check out "Hooked" by Nir Eyal. These readings will give you a solid grasp of PM basics and how to create products users love.

Don't stop at books, though. Blogs and podcasts are goldmines of information. "This is Product Management," hosted by Mike Fishbein, is a must-listen for aspiring PMs. It covers everything from the product life cycle to development processes.

Make sure to jump into online communities like Reddit's ProductManagement, LinkedIn’s Creative Product Managers, or Slack’s The Product Stack. These are some great places to see what real PMs are talking about and get a feel for the industry.

Remember, immersing yourself in PM content isn't just about learning - it's about figuring out if this career path is right for you. So explore, engage, and get excited about the world of product management!

2. Develop the Core Skills 

Building core skills as a product manager might seem daunting, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But fear not! Here’s how you can hone these essential skills through everyday activities and your current job:

• Start by diving into the data you already encounter in your role. Use tools like Excel to analyze trends and make informed decisions. Practice using free tools like Google Analytics to understand basic metrics and patterns. There are also many online courses that can introduce you to data analysis. 
• Enhance your communication by writing summaries of your daily tasks and projects. Practice presenting these summaries to your team to build confidence. Joining public speaking clubs can also be invaluable for honing your verbal communication.
• Familiarize yourself with basic agile methodologies by reading books or taking online courses. Volunteer to assist with tech projects at work to gain firsthand experience. Even if you’re not coding, understanding the process will be beneficial.
• Stay updated on industry news and trends. Engage in strategic discussions at work, and try to understand the bigger picture. Analyzing competitors and market shifts can help you think more strategically.

Remember, practice is key. The more you integrate these skills into your daily routine, the more naturally they’ll come to you.

3. Work on Side Project

One of the best ways to break into product management is by working on a side project or building your own product. This hands-on experience lets you mimic the product management process and showcases your skills to potential employers.

Start with a Competitive Analysis: Evaluate a company’s competitors by analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you're passionate about fitness, compare popular fitness apps. Identify what they do well and where they fall short. This exercise sharpens your analytical skills and helps you understand market positioning.

Craft a Product Vision: Imagine you’re creating a new fitness app. Develop a compelling story for your product using narration, a storyboard, or even a video. Describe the problem your app solves and how it stands out from the competition. This helps you practice creating a clear and engaging product narrative.

Define Product Requirements: Lay out the features your fitness app needs. Prioritize these features, define success metrics, and outline the minimum viable product (MVP). For instance, your MVP might include basic workout tracking and a few customizable workout plans. This step teaches you to balance ambition with practicality.

Design and Prototype: Create visual mockups of your app. Use tools like Sketch or Figma to design the interface and show how users will interact with different features. Prototyping helps you understand the importance of user experience and design in product development.

If your side project identifies a viable market opportunity, consider turning it into a startup. This involves customer research, product road mapping, and launching a product—all core functions of product management. While starting a business is a bigger commitment, it’s an excellent way to gain comprehensive experience and make a real impact.

By working on side projects, you not only build practical skills but also create a portfolio that sets you apart in the competitive world of product management.

4. Build Your Portfolio

In addition to learning the necessary product management skills, you need to demonstrate these skills to potential employers. Creating a product management portfolio—a website showcasing your projects—can make a significant impact.

Start by turning your side projects into case studies. Detail each project's journey, from the initial idea and competitive analysis to the final product vision, requirements, and prototypes. Highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This structured approach shows potential employers your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.

Your portfolio is also a chance to share a bit about yourself, your background, and why you’re passionate about product management. Include a section that outlines your previous experience and what makes you a standout candidate.

Many top product management courses include practical projects you can add to your portfolio. Some even guide you through the portfolio-building process, ensuring you present your work in the best possible light.

Here's a list of 240+ Product Manager Portfolios from ProductManagement for inspiration on creating a good portfolio.

5. Get Real-life Work Experience 

Securing a product management job with no experience can be tough, but there are proven pathways to help you get there. For example, companies such as Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and Salesforce offer Associate Product Manager (APM) internships specifically for undergraduates. Despite being competitive, these programs serve as direct pipelines into product management roles.

There are several roles that involve interacting with the product organization and participating in the product development process, making them ideal stepping stones. Consider positions such as software engineering, quality assurance, UX/UI design, product owner, business analyst, or product marketing manager. Additionally, indirect roles like customer success, sales, and business operations also provide valuable experience.

Obtaining an MBA is a well-established route into product management, with direct connections to companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe. Early-stage startups also seek individuals with transferable skills for product management roles.

6. Gain Product Management Certifications

Several certifications can enhance your product management knowledge and demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers. If you're aiming for product owner roles or positions in IT or software development, consider pursuing the Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) Certification Training. To earn a PSPO certificate, you'll need to complete online courses and pass an exam.

While independent reading and free courses are a great start, moving from theory to practice is crucial for serious product management candidates. Employers want to see hands-on skills, and a formal certification can provide just that.

Benefits of a Product Management Certification:

• Structured Learning Path: Ensures you master essential concepts and skills.
• Project-Based Learning: Focuses on hands-on skills, not just theory.
• Professional Portfolio: Helps you build a portfolio showcasing your projects.
• Expert Support: Offers guidance from industry experts.
• Career Coaching: Prepares you for applying to product management jobs.
• Credibility: A recognized certification from a reputable institution.

When choosing a certification program, ensure it meets your needs, provides comprehensive learning, and offers practical experience. Act like a product manager: identify your needs, research options, and prioritize based on your schedule and budget. We've included a roundup of top courses at the end of this guide to help you get started.

7. Create a Killer Resume 

Creating a standout resume is crucial for landing a job in product management. Your resume should highlight the right skills and experiences to catch a recruiter’s eye. Here’s how to craft a resume that stands out:

Think about your work experience differently. Identify projects where you’ve owned tasks end-to-end or managed stakeholders. Showcase moments when you used data to make decisions. These are the transferable skills that recruiters value, regardless of your previous job titles.

Customize your resume for each role you’re applying to. Focus on relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description. Remove any irrelevant information to keep your resume concise and targeted.

A great strategy is to look at LinkedIn profiles of people who have your dream job. Analyze their experiences and see how they present their skills. For instance, you might discover that hiring and leading a team for a new product is a noteworthy achievement—something you might not have considered highlighting before.

8. Showcase Your Transferable Skills

When crafting your resume for a product management role, it's crucial to highlight your transferable skills in a way that aligns with the job description. This approach will make your experience relevant and appealing to recruiters.

Frame your past roles to resonate with recruiters. For example, if you organized and led team meetings, describe it as "Facilitated cross-functional team collaborations." If you improved a process or implemented a new system, say "Developed and implemented process improvements, resulting in a [X%] increase in efficiency." This approach helps bridge the gap between your experience and the job requirements.

Understanding and advocating for the end user’s needs is vital in product management. If you’ve worked in roles like sales, customer service, or UX design, you've already developed a user-centric mindset. These positions involve direct interaction with customers, giving you valuable insights into user needs and behaviors.

Product management requires strong business acumen and strategic thinking. If you've worked in roles such as marketing, operations, or business analytics, you’ve likely honed these skills. Highlight experiences where you analyzed market trends, developed strategies, or managed budgets to show your strategic thinking abilities.

Successful product managers come from various backgrounds, bringing a mix of soft and hard skills. For instance, if you’ve worked in project management, you’ve developed organizational and leadership skills. If you have a technical background, highlight your familiarity with software development or data analysis.

Every product manager is unique. You don’t need to come from a specific field to excel in the role. What matters is how you leverage your unique experiences and skills to meet the demands of the job. By effectively showcasing your transferable skills, you’ll stand out in the competitive job market and demonstrate your potential as a product manager.

9. Build Genuine Connections in the Field 

Networking is crucial for aspiring product managers. Connecting with product managers in your target industry can open doors to job opportunities and valuable insights. By building genuine relationships and maintaining regular contact, you can ask for referrals when positions open up.

Best Practices for Networking:

1. Ask specific questions about the person’s experience, role, or company.
2. Show genuine interest in people and ask about themselves.
3. Send follow-up notes after conversations.
4. Clearly state your intentions and what you hope to gain.

Networking is especially important for new product managers. It offers mentorship, advice, and industry insights. You can network in various ways, from online forums to local meet-ups. Begin with small, comfortable steps, such as chatting with colleagues, joining online communities, or attending local events. By doing so, you'll gradually build a strong network that supports your product management journey.

Wrapping Up

Becoming a product manager without experience might seem like a daunting task, but it's totally doable with the right approach. We've covered a ton of ground here, from building your skills and knowledge to creating a killer portfolio and resume. Remember, it's all about showcasing your transferable skills, diving into side projects, and networking your way into the industry.

Don't get discouraged if it takes some time – Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a product management career. Keep learning, stay curious, and put yourself out there. Before you know it, you'll be joining those 5 million+ product managers, turning ideas into excellent products. So go ahead, take that first step, and who knows? You might just be the next big thing in product management. You've got this!

FAQs 

What does it take to become a product manager?

Becoming a product manager requires developing core skills like data analysis, communication, user-centric thinking, technical knowledge, leadership, and strategic thinking. It also involves building a portfolio and gaining relevant experience.

Is an MBA necessary for a product manager?

An MBA is not necessary, but it can be a well-established route into product management, providing connections to companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.

How do you qualify for a product manager role?

Qualify by building foundational knowledge, developing core skills, working on side projects, creating a portfolio, gaining relevant experience, obtaining certifications, and networking in the field.

Can a fresher become a product manager?

Yes, freshers can become product managers through internships like Associate Product Manager (APM) programs offered by companies such as Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and Salesforce.