» Fight enshittification by encouraging interoperability and openness in your product ecosystem
» You can prove a concept by building something janky and cheap that shows it working for real
» OKRs do not exist in isolation – context, strategy and culture set the scene
» People are rarely idiots — assume they’re rational actors with good intent
» Sometimes you have to compromise on finding the ideal job
» What truly differentiates you from the rest of the market when anyone can build anything?
» Job interviews are a terrible way to assess how someone will perform in role
» All genAI companies are evil, but some are less evil
» Accumulated inefficiency has come back to bite organisations – what to do about it
» A pursuit of job stability can easily translate into an unproductive ‘inertia’ instead
» Self-sealing arguments are no-win situations: every defence you make is co-opted the by other party as evidence you’re wrong
Your product manager interview is as much about you getting to know your interviewers as it is the other way around. Here’s what you can expect along with my tips for standing out from the crowd.
» Larger companies are far more likely to hire for intern, junior or associate level PM positions, but competition will be greater
» Product success comes from the way its product manager makes decisions, thinks, communicates and relates
Getting your first job as a product manager can seem impossible. Thankfully it’s not! I share my advice on how to break into a career in product management.
» Early in your career, focus on building one skill at a time
» Find out what a company’s really like by meeting a contact there informally before the interview
» Practice experts can enjoy a varied career, but may find it harder to work in some domains
» As a product leader, what are your identity, superpower, mission and impact?
“Hi Jock, I’m currently applying for loads of product manager jobs. I’ve received an offer from a sales-led company where the Product team reports in to Sales. Should I take the job?”
Because so much of product management is about working with people, it’s important to take time to reflect on the kind of first impression you make to those people. In this latest entry for my series of 100 things I’ve learned about product management, I pass on my coaching advice to help you make the best possible impression every time.
