Making the Internal Switch (For Transitioning PMs) 🤹

Hello there “transitioner” 👋!

Aneesha here!

I have something for all of you “transitioners” today.

Here’s a thing — whenever you watch or read a “How to get into Product Management” video or post, they always say “The best way is to transition within your current organization”.

Okay but how? 🤷‍♀️ No one tells you that! But today, I will!

Now here’s a thing about us transitioners. We either work in a role that is very much closer to product management. Or, our current role is wayyyy too far from product management - ugh 😒.

I was in writing, so that put me in the latter category 😭.

People working in a role closer to or say similar to product management have a larger list of “transferrable skills” when compared to others who don’t.

I don’t say the doors are closed for the others. But yes, it can be a bit difficult. But the essence lies in how you transfer yourselves.

And I don’t say it is easier for people working in similar roles, okay? Don’t pin this one on me 😳!

So, what are transferrable skills?

All the skills and abilities you can use across different jobs and situations. For example, your analytical skills as an analyst, or attention to detail and problem identification/solving as a QA Testing executive.

They're like your professional toolbox, following you wherever you go in your career!

Identify the PM in You 🔍️

I won’t be joking when I say there is a product manager in you.

You only need to identify it and bring it out as much as possible!

You’re probably telling me “Aneesha, don’t give me the same sh*t every others are 🙄!”. I know I am not, okay!

I will make you think and let you identify what areas of product management you are strong at 💪.

You probably did this already, and you might as well be way too far from this step at this point. But I cannot stress enough how important this is for you to transition internally.

Well, your current non-product role’s work and its culture, give you certain signs. What signs? Signs you have a product manager in you — and of your strongest PM arm.

You just need to look for them 👀.

Here’s how to identify your skills:

Problem-solving with a user focus 🧐:

• You naturally identify problems people face in their daily lives, both physical and digital.

• You're curious about how things work and how they could be improved.

• You think from the user's perspective and brainstorm solutions that would make their lives easier or better.

Strong analytical and research skills 📈:

• You enjoy gathering data and user feedback to understand needs and pain points.

• You can analyze information and identify trends to inform product decisions.

• You're comfortable conducting user research like interviews or surveys.

Communication and collaboration 📣:

• You can clearly communicate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• You can collaborate effectively with engineers, designers, marketers, and other stakeholders.

• You have strong interpersonal skills and can build trust and rapport.

Leadership and prioritization 💡:

• You can inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal.

• You're comfortable making decisions and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• You can manage competing demands and stay focused on the big picture.

Passion for learning and iteration 📚️:

• You're eager to learn new things and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

• You believe in the power of iteration and are comfortable making changes based on user feedback.

• You're data-driven and use results to guide product development.

With that said, this DOES NOT mean you need to have it all!

You can transition into product management even if you have just one of these. And if you’re a good learner (which is again a PM skill) you can master all the rest 🎉!

Showcasing your PM Skills for Transition ✨ 

Let’s get to the meat of this whole conversation. I want to walk you through the first steps you should take to begin showcasing your PM talent.

1. Let the Right People Know 🗣️

You’re going to have to do some talking here. How is anyone gonna know you’re interested in the role until you tell them, right? As long as they’re mind-readers, they can 🔮.

Talk to the Senior PMs, Head of Product, VP, or Director of Product, and let them know you’re interested.

Tell them about your journey in the switch and what you admire about the role, most importantly, highlight the transferrable skills you just identified — let them know you truly are into this!

And if you think you need to learn more, tell them how you’re working on building your skills and knowledge, and how you really want to start implementing all of it!

Once you think they understand, request them to let you help out current PMs in the company. Take on some of their tasks, starting small. If not, have them let you join the PMs’ calls and discussions.

2. Learn the PM role at your company 🧠

Now PM roles at each company differ widely. It majorly depends on the product a company sells.

Find time to learn how PMs at your company function, what they talk about, and why they do this or that. That’d answer lot many questions about their role. You need a lot of friends from the PM team going forward!

Once you have a good idea about their job and their day-to-day life, approach them with help. This can be in the form of valid opinions, some good findings (can be something you found, working in your current role) about the product, valuable discussions, or even questions!

Asking the right questions is another skill of a PM. Try and become that one good source of insight for them 😎!

3. Take initiative, because no one else is going to 🥱!

Yes, that’s the harsh truth, my friend. No one’s coming to your rescue, other than you 😢!

Here’s a thing, and I am going to be transparent here (as always 😏).

People will not lift a finger for you even if you are a huge benefit to them. Unless he/she is an exceptional being who’d take the pains for someone else.

Honestly, no one’s to blame here. Everyone has their own goals and targets to achieve and involving in anything else would waiver them from their path. Another reason is that no one is obliged to help you, other than you!

So it is you who needs to do the heavy lifting. In this sense, you will need to take initiative at every step starting from, initiating discussions, asking questions, taking on mini-tasks, and so on.

When you know you have done a good enough job and shown the stakeholders that you can be more useful as a PM than in your current role, YOU have to let them know that you are ready to take up the next available PM role.

And that’s all for today. I know this got a bit long but I just wanted to make sure you know what it will be like to begin your internal transition 😇!

If you have a transition story to share, I’d love to hear it! Reply to this email and tell me all about it 🤩!

Best of luck 🤞!

See you soon,

Aneesha ❤️‍🔥