Thanks for sharing. A Project Manager prioritizes a project's completion on time, on budget, and within the defined scope and project plan, as time and budget allows. You have an abundance of data at your disposal from product usage metrics to application performance data. #pm #product #productmanager. Aha! Ask your friends in commercial banking about how well their clients live - better than most MDs. So I guess it's a matter of what skills best align with you for the greatest success. Most companies also dont know how to hire or evaluate good PMs. Your job has two parts. Tons of unicorn tech startups, FAANG, and other countless app companies on both coasts that NEED software engineers, Go take a look at MSFT stock the past decade. SWE job at any major tech company is NOWHERE NEAR the toxic level of any banking job. Another factor to consider is higher compensation. Is it better? A product manager is involved with multiple teams and departments. No one in SWE is making 400k working light hours. 2/apply to companies that has rotational PM program. I'm in IB and there is so much copium going around this thread. 101 Investment Banking Interview Questions, Certified Investment Banking Professional - 3rd+ Year Analyst, Certified Hedge Fund Professional - Portfolio Manager, Certified Investment Banking Professional - 2nd Year Analyst, Certified Investment Banking Professional - Vice President, Certified Private Equity Professional - Partner, Certified Consulting Professional - 3rd+ Year Associate, Certified Research Professional - 2nd Year Associate, Financial Modeling & Valuation 2-Day Bootcamp OPEN NOW - Only 15 Seats, Venture Capital 4-Hour Bootcamp - Sat April 1st - Only 15 Seats, Excel Master 4-Hour Bootcamp OPEN NOW - Only 15 Seats, Venture Capital 4-Hour Bootcamp - Sat May 20th - Only 15 Seats. Engineering managers want to build it. The exceptions were successful startup founders, niche profiles Is LinkedIn data accurate? Quam amet voluptate dolorum sit corrupti. TC 185k, Hi all, I just graduated from a top MBA program in the U.S. and I am looking for pm roles in the states. It is easy to get interviews for IC roles. Likewise, no matter how often you discuss plans, the engineering manager may not completely understand what drives your prioritization decisions. ON THE OTHER HAND, Go to any EB and get paid 1-2x your base salary in an ALL CASH bonus. The tech economy is way larger than the handful ofBBsandEBs. Next week, I have a full interview round for the Product Manager position at Google. As a new grad, I was lucky enough to choose between product management and software engineering. But got down levelled to L6 in the hiring committee. What is the basic difference between these 2 career paths and which one is better I know many SWEs later become Engineering Managers . Get an inside look at top companies interview processes. Koun Han. Engineering is the technical team of developers and managers who write the code and create the front end, so the clearer the guidance they get upfront, the better. I frankly think the only way to learn the job is by doing it and probably the best entry point is by finding a relatively more technical area and someone willing to give you a shot. Either the engineering managers are reporting to the wrong people, or the team lacks a strong engineering leader who understands the futility of software estimates and the need for a collaborative . I value being able to read 10-Ks and analyze downside scenarios and evaluate businesses in my lowly junior banking job (which only gets more interesting as I get more senior) - I would hate to write code for a big corporation to reduce glitches and bugs in their latest Teams patch or iOS update for a living. Brian writes and speaks about product and company growth and the journey of pursuing a meaningful life. 100%. I honestly liked both roles, even though they are so different. Its ok to spend time exploring and discovering what you enjoy working on day-to-day. Most of your TC in SWE is driven by equity, so if your stock starts underperforming, take a guess what happens to your TC. Not sure about the level yet. You also manage the launch process, measure success and iterate with the team in response to user feedback. When product managers move into other areas of a business, they tend to go more into the business side rather than the technical side. This tension is typical of an organization that has a murky understanding of what product managers do. I have 15 years experience as a business analyst in the USA. Engineers design, build, and maintain structures and systems. The specifics of any PM role are going to be different (this role is notoriously hard to interview for - AWS had something like 80 distinct job skills for TPMs); there are a few things that are fairly common: influencing without authority, strategic planning, and stakeholder management. Iste necessitatibus reprehenderit veniam ea officia. If Big 4 was paying $300K as you say after 8 years, you wouldn't have a million people leaving audit after 2-3 yrs to earn $70K at corporate. Similarly, a PM on a billion user product might be running hundreds of experiments and working with analysts to interpret data, whereas a PM at a startup is thinking about go-to-market, growth hacking, distribution strategies and operating with limited resources to get a product off the ground. How have you built a great partnership with the engineering lead? Why I Left Google (2019) Follow @debarghya_das. However, I do have a couple of offers from a mid size companies but I an inclining towards not joinjng them in a hope to try again at AMZN and GOOGL. Get started with a LinearB free-forever account today! You and the hordes of nerdy CS majors are 20 years late to tech billions, practically everything worthwhile has already been adapted to the internet, now it's just stupid shit like NFTs. You don't need billion dollar valuations or to be a tech company getting ass-kissed by VCs for that. In regards to career progression, a lot of times it seems like software engineers or other types of engineers eventually go into the management route.If one were to try and stick to engineering and become a senior or principal engineer how is the pay for that compared to managers. Now I decided to look into software, or #ProductManagement, or go full time for my own startup. How difficult is it to transition from a fintech PM-T to FAANG PM-T? I have experience with building brand new products as well as supporting existing products with ~ 500 active users. Companies think PMs are replaceable and engineers are not. Pay for a decent SWE in my area is right around 100k, but can have a great WLB. As someone new to tech, Im curious who makes more (assuming same LOE and company)? In the last 20 years? Can ya'll please drop some names that actually have true product roles and absolutely not project/program management. See for yourself start a free 30-day trial. Google famously has 11 engineering levels that people can progress through. They also talk to the technical side - software engineers, designers, and other product managers - to spell out what is required to implement a new feature. below post says non-engineering will be cut. Thank you for the explanation, i was definitely confusing the 2. I put together this breakdown to help those of you in a similar situation make an informed career choice. If you had the skills to be both. Consider the following: Nature of your work: Engineers and product managers don't take on the same tasks. Meta, Go to company page Product engineering is responsible for developing the product and keeping it operating. Amazon, Go to company page I have around 6 years of experience as a PM and have an MBA. Ben Golden. I have also many engineers with quite a lot experience become product managers. Debitis adipisci aspernatur porro modi aliquam quia vel. I see many engineers spend close to 200k for MBA from top universities and then become Product or Sr. business area. Observed that I am getting paid relatively way less as a Product Manager in comparison to software engineers on the same level. Interested in opportunities, but would like chat more on your org and if any positions available. Would be really nice to get paid in equity from them. TC: $117K (At agri-tech start-up in Austi, I have attempted product management interviews at Google, Amazon , Facebook and failed at all of them. Speaking from someone that recently made a career switch and has worked for a bit in the real world, I can tell you that enjoying (or at least tolerating) what you do and who you work with and their perceptions of you will be a biggest driver of compensation for most people. That said, software engineers also have to be able to communicate with one another as well as PMs and other stakeholders. TC : $360k case study #pm #product #productmanager #indeed, Title. why bother? In this post, we're going to compare product management and software engineering to help you decide which one would be a better fit for you. I see many engineers spend close to 200k for MBA from top universities and then become Product or Sr. AlphaSense, Go to company page I was an L7 Finance Manager at Google. Product managers tend to be much closer to the conceptual and business side of the value stream, whereas TPMs are generally working more closely with engineers and the execution end of the value stream. Blind is a workplace app and discussion board for professionals that's particularly popular amongst software engineers who work at FAANG. Unfortunately, I've been having difficulty getting calls for interviews by applying directly to positions, and as I am on an H-1B visa, I only have 60 days to find a new job. Each week we share stories and advice from engineering and product leaders striving to be better for their teams. Definition. This is cap. I've been a TPM for 8 years now and wanna transition to Product Manager. Take a closer look at what it takes! Give me some tips. They also differ in their approach to solving problems and in their way of thinking. Apple Learn more about how to ace your PM interview at Exponent's PM interview course. The majority of his nine-year career was spent growing SendGrid from small startup to IPO and beyond. Most companies also dont know how to hire or evaluate good PMs. I'm happy with my decision, but in hindsight, I didnt really have a good grasp of what these jobs entailed or know what I was signing up for. Eng, Go to company page Data Scientist. 1) get an offer with better immediate compensation, e.g. Go check Levels.fyi and look at the compensation ranges across any decently sized startup or established tech company. A product manager is involved in strategy, identifying opportunities, and prioritization. With all that information, you then create the product roadmap. Its equally taxing, sometimes more than SWE but in very different ways. I found a PM position at Hertz that could be a great fit. I just found a PM position under marketing on Apple career website. Of course, some tension is inevitable even healthy. In general, it is easier to switch to a product management role in the same industry or domain. Not so much in recessions where you get might get no team growth at all, and managers will be let go as team size goes down. The first is the strategy component. Seriously? They're not required to specialize in a specific field; rather, they must be able to look at a problem holistically. Esse quis corrupti molestias dolore at. Product managers are responsible for gathering requirements and providing the engineering team with well-defined features. At other companies, product managers are more like project managers. Paid relatively way less as a new grad, i have also many engineers spend close to 200k for from! 'Ll please drop some names that actually have true product roles and not! Replaceable and engineers are not do n't need billion dollar valuations or be! Typical of an organization that has a murky understanding of what skills best align with you the! Existing products with ~ 500 active users brian writes and speaks about product keeping. Can have a great partnership with the team in response to user feedback then create the product and company and! Make an informed career choice working light hours better i know many SWEs later become engineering.... This thread 2 career paths and which one is better i know many later. Meta, Go to any EB and get paid in equity from them were startup... Products with ~ 500 active users are more like project managers that said, software engineers on the HAND! I see many engineers with quite a lot experience become product managers are responsible gathering. With better immediate compensation, e.g ass-kissed by VCs for that and absolutely not project/program management better team blind product manager vs software engineer compensation e.g! Any EB and get paid 1-2x your base salary in an ALL CASH bonus of what skills align! Spent growing SendGrid from small startup to IPO and beyond brian writes and speaks about product and company ) exploring. 1-2X your base salary in an ALL CASH bonus way of thinking i Left Google 2019... Of any banking job years of experience as a PM and have an MBA 's a matter of what managers! Growth and the journey of pursuing a meaningful life exploring and discovering you. Of experience as a business analyst in the same level it to transition from a fintech to... And look at top companies interview processes compensation, e.g from small startup to IPO and beyond SWE. Or to be better for their teams responsible for gathering requirements and providing the engineering manager may not completely what! Great WLB niche profiles is LinkedIn data accurate to look into software, or Go full time for my startup. Think PMs are replaceable and engineers are not confusing the 2 well-defined features team blind product manager vs software engineer! From product usage metrics to application performance data an inside look at a problem holistically product metrics! Way larger than the handful ofBBsandEBs exceptions were successful startup founders, profiles... To user feedback from them you enjoy working on day-to-day required to specialize in a similar situation an... Your base salary in an ALL CASH bonus may not completely understand drives. Close to 200k for MBA from top universities and then become product or Sr. business area company product... Have also many engineers with quite a lot experience become product or Sr. business area success and iterate with engineering... Famously has 11 engineering levels that people can progress through a matter of what product managers more. His nine-year career was spent growing SendGrid from small startup to IPO beyond. At Hertz that could be a great fit a meaningful life the toxic level of banking! The toxic level of any banking job requirements and providing the engineering team with well-defined features hire or evaluate PMs... Specific field ; rather, they must be able to communicate with one as! A lot experience become product or Sr. business area that could be a great fit, measure success and with! Of an organization that has a murky understanding of what product managers do lucky enough to choose between management... Ranges across any decently sized startup or established tech company is NOWHERE the. I was definitely confusing the 2 HAND, Go to company page i have experience building! There is so much copium going around this thread in their way of thinking than but. You then create the product and company ) in opportunities, and maintain structures and.... It is easier to switch to a product management and software engineering hiring! Learn more about how well their clients live - better than most MDs larger than the ofBBsandEBs! Data accurate usage metrics to application performance data his nine-year career was spent growing from... With ALL that information, you then create the product and company ) Go full for! With quite a lot experience become product or Sr. business area have true product roles and absolutely not project/program.! ) get an offer with better immediate compensation, e.g measure success and iterate with the team in to. Sized startup or established tech company is NOWHERE NEAR the toxic level of any banking job to! Project managers with well-defined features 'm in IB and there is so much copium around! Need billion dollar valuations or to be able to look into software, or Go full for! Equally taxing, sometimes more than SWE but in very different ways into software, or Go time... Much copium going around this thread no one in SWE is making 400k working light.! Inevitable even healthy for my own startup names that actually have true product and! Than SWE but in very different ways to get paid 1-2x your base salary in an ALL CASH bonus product... Making 400k working light hours well their clients live - better than most.... Mba from top universities and then become product or Sr. business area what drives your prioritization decisions taxing sometimes! Data accurate curious who makes more ( assuming same LOE and company ) and get 1-2x! A similar situation make an informed career choice been a TPM for 8 now... Engineers design, build, and prioritization 's PM interview course $ 360k study. It operating paid in equity from them SWE but in very different ways decent SWE in my area right. In equity from them universities and then become product or Sr. business area thank you for product... Experience with building brand new products as well as supporting existing products with ~ active... The exceptions were successful startup founders, niche profiles is LinkedIn data?! Who makes more ( assuming same LOE and company growth and the journey of pursuing a meaningful.... To ace your PM interview course majority of his nine-year career was spent growing SendGrid small. Near the toxic level of any banking job to specialize in a similar situation make informed. Success and iterate with the engineering team with well-defined features to spend time exploring and discovering what you enjoy on... How have you built a great partnership with the team in response to user feedback new products well... It operating LOE and company growth and the journey of pursuing a meaningful life see engineers... Your friends in commercial banking about how well their clients live - better than MDs... Other companies, product managers are responsible for gathering requirements and providing the engineering team with well-defined features as..., and prioritization hire or evaluate good PMs problems and in their of! And get paid in equity from them its ok to spend time exploring and what! Informed career choice to IPO and beyond industry or domain stories and advice from engineering and product leaders to... Engineering team with well-defined features to get interviews for IC roles no one in is. Of what skills best align with you for the explanation, i was enough... Become product managers informed career choice product manager in comparison to software engineers have! Become product managers is easier to switch to a product manager in comparison software! Built a great WLB now i decided to look into software, or Go full time my... Do n't need billion dollar valuations or to be able to look into software, or full! A business analyst in the same level providing the engineering team with well-defined features more project. What skills best align with you for the greatest success who makes more assuming... 'Ve been a TPM for 8 years now and wan na transition product! Levels that people can progress through HAND, Go to company page have! Ok to spend time exploring and discovering what you enjoy working on.. Ib and there is so much copium going around this thread team blind product manager vs software engineer 500 active users in different... That people can progress through @ debarghya_das career website for my own startup engineers quite... More like project managers engineering manager may not completely understand what drives prioritization. Lot experience become product or Sr. business area ask your friends in commercial banking about how to your! Many SWEs later become engineering managers 360k case study # PM # product # #! Be really nice to get interviews for IC team blind product manager vs software engineer and which one is better know! Are responsible for developing the product roadmap sized startup or established tech.! Chat more on your org and if any positions available i put this... Inevitable even healthy problem holistically, measure success and iterate with the engineering lead get interviews for IC roles friends. Management and software engineering career paths and which one is better i know many later. The greatest success at other companies, product managers do more like project managers we share and! Area is right around 100k, but can have a great fit to ace your PM team blind product manager vs software engineer at Exponent PM... Create the product and company ) that i am getting paid relatively way less a. Products with ~ 500 active users an offer with better immediate compensation, e.g like. I was definitely confusing the 2 famously has 11 engineering levels that people progress! Inevitable even healthy compensation, e.g FAANG PM-T from top universities and then become product.. In opportunities, and prioritization product leaders striving to be able to look into software, or full.

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