I keep getting feedback from managers and interviewers that I am strong in product strategy and business mindset, but weak in technical skills despite my CS undergrad and 2 YOE as a software engineer. Granted I have not coded in many years but I am knowledgable enough to understand and discuss technical questions with my dev team. what should be the expected level of technical knowledge?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

What technical skills are they looking for? Are they referring to hard technical skills (like system design, architecture, etc) or soft ones (like collaborating with engineers, technical requirements definition, etc)?

And what kind of PM role were you interviewing for? Sometimes it can so happen that you might just not have the exact technical skills they need (e.g. you were a front end engineer, but they need someone with Databricks knowledge, etc)

like

Op, do you work in b2b? I have got the same feedback despite working in a technical pm role for the last 5+ years. I'd say pay attention to the feedback only if it is actionable and the person it is coming from has direct impact to you feedback wise. I'd recommend leveraging your other strengths instead to gain the confidence of engineering, etc. I make sure my engineering teams know I have their back so this has helped me navigate the "not technical enough" feedback. If there is an escalation or the engineering teams are put on the spot, they pull me in to help them. If you are strong with analytics, leverage that with dashboards, insights, etc. Alternatively look for other PM roles which need more strategic thinking and move past this!

like

I found that discussing your projects is not enough. If they give you some type of challenge, I’d recommend coding that out as well. It really shows dedication. That’s what I did post interview. After understanding their projects I went and coded my idea of a solution. Although completely wrong it shows dedication and technical knowledge.

like

I agree. Bring more of your technical skills into the process without taking over for engineering.

like

Are you strong in analytics skills? Like being able to understand how the entire business works by looking at the DB architecture, pull data from an API or DB without assistance, and manipulate a table or data frame in whatever way is necessary to find trends? Usually you can get around having less domain expertise by showing off analytical prowess

Otherwise, the only other thing I can think of is you’re missing more specific expertise in areas like distributed systems, computer vision, etc depending on the role you’re applying for. Products that are more geared towards developers, data science, or tech hardware tend to require a lot more niche expertise

like

Following.

Did they say specifically what technical skills?

Get a better sense of what the gap really is and what the company really wants from you. Maybe your company needs more engineering managers or wants you to be an engineering manager. If so, find another company that needs a real product leader.

Related Posts

Hi Fishes,
I am from finance domain & interested to move in IT domain. I heard there are Non-IT jobs too that doesn't need coding like quality testing. I wanted to know from experienced people who have switched to IT. What skills I should start to learn first.

like

Tbh I wanted to join GS since I discovered GSElevators on Twitter when I was 14. Literally the only reason "why GS"

like

At what point is an MBA useful in your career? I know it’s not required, but the best bosses (ECD and/or VP level) I’ve worked under had one. Wondering if it’s a coincidence or if there’s actually something to it.

like

How is ZoomInfo as a company? How is the work culture? What is the salary growth?

like
likefunny

Really wish I was able to get into consulting out of undergrad. Appreciate that I’m able to join post -MBA but feel like I’m not going to be able to pick things up quick enough.

like

How many people earn a degree in Engineering but don't pursue a career in it, for whatever reason? I know at least one and I don't know why they spent all that time and money if they weren't going to continue in it

like

Out of undergrad, is it better to work at a less known VC firm and then move to a better VC firm rather than doing consulting to VC? Is exiting to venture capital harder when you're full time?

like

🧐What prompted you to pursue small law or going solo? Would you recommend it to others?

Drop below 👇

like

Does anyone know how to transition into a Europe based sales role form the USA?

like

How can I transition into entertainment law from work comp?

like

I have got an offer from Capgemini for B2 level Consultant as an SME. Can anyone please tell me if there is a scope of becoming Team lead with this band? If yes, please do tell if there is any hike available with the Team lead role. TIA

like

How to position yourself to exit into Product Manager roles in tech in 1.5 years? Currently 1st year associate

like

Book recommendations on leadership, career development, etc?

like

What are good exit opportunities or things to move onto after becoming CRA?

like

Anyone transferred from accounting to finance? What’s your finance role? Do you have your CPA/CFA?

like

Hello guys I am currently a L4 Business development specialist with Amazon.in" class="linkified" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >Amazon.in, I am looking for a change of roles switching to AWS in similar profile, may I know what are the skills which are required to be possessed? Any help will be of great help to me.

like

Looking to make a career move. Pros and cons for going into the music space- go

More Posts

What would you rate as an A list agency, and a B list agency? (C list too.)

like

I feel like I am terrible at doing my job but some how people think I’m a high performer 😂😂 not sure where you got that information but thank you

likefunny

Why Verizon employees are transferred to Infosys.

Some construction is going in my apartment building and the noise has been driving me crazy all day 😩😩 feeling very irritated right now

like

S& vs MBB in Middle East. Thoughts for future exit opportunities, type of work, career options? Should one hold out for an MBB role in a year vs getting a more attainable S& role now ish?

like

So I can hear some constant noise which is so sutble which is not even measurable by any device but it bothers me a lot. Will the city be responsible for finding the root cause of the noise and correct it?

funnylike

I don't think GREAT LOVE and GREAT SEX are possible to find in the same person. And therefore, we are not meant to have both for life. Please someone tell me I'm wrong and from personal experience, not rom-com notions or if you're still in the honeymoon phase.

likesmart

What is the typical interview process for AT Kearney?

like

I used to get lit on LITS (Long Island Iced Tea) ummmm you didn’t use lit correctly. But I’m starting to use the word extra correctly. LOL #facepalm

like

(1/2) Hey agency producers. Maybe a stupid question but I’m used to production management. Casting “real women”... do you expect the production company to do that, or bid a separate casting agency?

How is your dating life? Are you open and crazy about it?

I feel like I work at 50% capacity and yet I’m getting pats on the back for my work. Maybe agency life prepared me well for the brand side?

like

Are your shoots starting to use any of the newer virtual production capabilities coming out of Unreal? Think how they filmed chunks of The Mandalorian. Trying to get a sense of whether this is on other people’s radar yet or not.

like

Which service your agency use to share files with clients, production houses and freelancers? We use wetransfer but the transfer expires after few days...

Best areas to live if looking for following:
* Safe (can walk around at night) and clean
* Easy access to activities/events for couples (not big on clubbing, bars, etc)
* Easy access to public transit and rest of Chicago (really hate driving)

Sorry if any of these are really dumb criteria, not super familiar. Happy to answer questions on other criteria that y'all think is relevant.

like

An actual story on Fox News.

Post Photo
likefunny

Is there a market for temp deal associates / senior associates? Like say for example, small company doing a transaction, they hire a temporary contractor to relieve pressure from existing accounting staff? Perhaps need to keep it confidential from the team?

like
like

Anyone here well-versed in condo/HOA insurance (HOA master policy vs HO-6)? I’m trying to see if there’s a way I can find out the states that requires the association to be primary insurance. Thank you in advance 😊

like

Hey fishes, how is the project allotment done in coforge..
It's been a month since I have joined still no tasks allocated not even induction is it a common in coforge?

Additional Posts in Product Management

Best tips for breaking into Product Management as a consultant?

like

How are your engineering teams estimating user stories? I want to validate how my company is currently doing them. Let’s say when one user story is broken down into front end task of 3 sp and a back end task of 5 sp, then the estimate they provide for the story is 5 sp. Is that the correct methodology?

like

Dear Amazon PM,

Could Amazon please have a "ship by" date option? Would make gifting and certain other types of purchases easier.
Would love to be able to pick out something nice I've seen, schedule the shipment to arrive on a certain specific day out in the future (weeks or months ahead) and be done. This works for gifts, and also for certain purchases that you need occasionally but don't fall into the subscribe at regular intervals option currently listed.

like

I see quite a few positions hiring APM pretty far from now, for example for Sep 2023. Is that a normal practice? (Not an APM program or anything, just APM or PM position).
I would like to apply to one of those but I feel like it’s a bit strange to get an offer that is a year from now…

like

any advice for landing a PM job at ThoughtWorks? Been applying for ages and keep on getting rejected... what are they looking for?

likehelpful

Anyone use air table for PM? Looking for pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

like

Anyone contract with Microsoft on the Product team (core)?

like

Folks with 4-6 years of PM experience (plus other experience if any), how are you planning your career? How do you think about the next move? How are you preparing for interviews?

like

I am seeking a technical co-founder for our b2b saas-based startup. We are a team alignment, communication, and performance reporting platform that makes it easier and more effective for teams to capture, organize, and disseminate updates.

About Me: I am a serial entrepreneur who has launched several successful companies. Please DM me if you or anyone in your network may be interested in this opportunity.

Post Photo
like

What do the following metrics generally communicate abouta product and when should they be used?
1. A count like “total number of likes”
2. An average like “average number of likes per person”
3. A percentage/ratio “% of users who like”?

like

As a new product manager what books should I be reading? I’ve already read Inspired but looking or more. For context, I’ve joined a series A start up and as expected there’s a lot to do and it’s very fluid. I want to be able to help the head of product as much as possible as well as provide some structure to how we work.

like

I’m evaluating a job offer and though the base pay is at market value, there are no options for profit sharing or bonuses. Is this something I should negotiate? And if so, what are some tips you’ve found helpful for negotiating these points in an offer?

like

I am onstantly getting through the Hiring Manager rounds for the companies I am interviewing for but after the peer rounds with PM/Senior PMs I am getting rejected. Ine of the companies was Walmart which had 2 back to back interviews with a Group and Senior PM and I got a reject. Can the fellow PMs give me some guidance as to what I maybe missing.

likesmart

What are some of the good companies for Product Management roles in Canada Toronto area, i am trying to avoid FinTech .. any suggestions .. looking for Director or Sr Manager role ..

like

Interviewed for a Sr PM role with a global company.. went through 4 rounds, got an offer but they changed the role to PM (not senior), lower bonus / RSUs.. but still a jump from my current salary. Not sure how to feel about the last minute change!

like