Consultant here at a small boutique consulting firm (first job out of college, recently promoted from Analyst role). What’s the process like in terms of transitioning to a product manager role, preferably at a big tech company, without any prior experience? How much are certain factors weighed in the application process (networking, personal portfolio, CS background, undergrad GPA, etc.)? What should I be focusing on doing right now if I give myself 1 year to prepare?

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If you want a truthful answer - you’re likely not going to get a PM role at a big tech company in one year. You need PM experience elsewhere to get that - ideally at a known company. Your goal should be to target a startup or lower tier company as a PM, get 2-3 years of PM experience and then apply for a big tech PM role.

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Focus first on doing your job today well so you can get good reviews from your direct managers/PMs and coaches and get good company references/ clear reference checks. If asked today, what would all your bosses say about you and your ability to manage your work and projects? Do you make their lives easier? Do you help the team where needed? Do you understand what’s important and what’s not?

I’m guessing you’re at a tech firm now. If not try and get to a tech oriented role as step one. The biggest skillset required to be a PM is have an understanding of how every element of these tech builds work, from tech to functional to GTM, as well as an understanding of the business context and the industry or function you live in. This takes time which is the reason Big tech PM jobs are so competitive and have pre-built feeder pipelines of S&O consultants or APM program recruiting fresh undergrads straight from Ivies where they can train their people over time.

Learn where your gaps are and start filling them in. If you have a coach or mentor, start working with them on some of these things if you have a good enough relationship.

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Actually know your space really well.....like talk at a conference and be able to drill down deep into the tech details


Also you need to be able to explain the differences between the options. Realize you will be explaining your decisions to people that eat live and breathe this stuff

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