How to Launch Your Career in High Tech Product Management

https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-laun... Kenton Kivestu is CEO of RocketBlocks, a firm that provides tools to help you prepare for and nail your Product Manager interviews at high tech firms. In today’s episode, he and Linda discuss the unique challenges of breaking into a product management career in high tech, and how to overcome them. He provides the inside scoop on big name companies like Amazon and Google. Questions covered in the show with timestamps: What are the key qualifications in terms of work experience and personal qualities that high tech companies are looking for in PM candidates? 2:32 You had a degree in history. How did you prepare for this role? Did you take classes? 5:52 What was so exciting about the product management role to you? 8:32 What kind of education is required for a PM position? What’s recommended or preferred? 10:17 What is the product management hiring process typically like? 15:09 You’ve used the term “product sense” several times. Can you explain what that is? 20:06 What do you think is key to successfully navigating this hiring process, other than what we have already discussed in terms of education, experience, and qualities? 22:24 What kind of interviews can a job applicant expect for a PM position? 24:58 What are the most common mistakes wannabe product managers make in the application process in general and in the interviews specifically? 27:39 Among the leading tech firms, on a high level, how does hiring differ at Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Netflix? 31:34 What is RocketBlocks and how can it help an applicant for a product management position? 38:44 What are your plans for RocketBlocks going forward? 44:56 It’s now 8 years since you earned your MBA at Tuck. How has your perspective on that experience evolved? Are you still glad you did it? 47:18 Applying to graduate school? Accepted is here to help with our expert admissions consulting services. Learn more at https://www.accepted.com/services