James Jordan’s Post

Product Management comes in all shape and form. And over time, I’ve learnt what aspect of it gives me most fun. But for people new to this role or aspiring to be one, it’s important that you understand that not all “Product Manager” do the same job. I saw this vividly while interviewing at 9-10 companies. So few companies expect - PMs to only find problems. Validate problems and hand it entirely to engineering to find solutions - PMs to find solutions to problems and share it with engineering to implement - interact with clients, help with product implementation and improve adoption - PMs to tag team with sales and frequently support sales/pre-sales in closing revenue - do all of the above as it’s a startup All of these roles are called the same. Then there’s further distribution basis the product you’re working on, but this variety often creates confusion. The best day to get this aligned is on your interview day. What you want to do and what you’re getting hired for, might vary. So always align on what you want to work. And also at the some time, do not shy away from learning some more. At the end of the day, all of these are a PM’s job! #productmanagement #jobs #career

I've been noticing a really disheartening trend in the Product Manager job market lately, especially for those of us trying to break into the field. It feels like a major Catch-22: How can companies expect years of experience from candidates who are new to the PM discipline? We all know that entry-level PM roles are the exception, not the rule, but the lack of willingness to train people is stifling the next generation of product leaders. It seems like there's no real appetite or budget for post-employment training and development. Companies often talk about "growing their own," but the job descriptions tell a different story—they only want a fully-formed PM on day one. And let's talk about the sheer volume of listings: it's getting harder and harder to navigate the noise created by numerous consultant companies and agencies crowding the system. It makes finding genuine in-house roles feel like a treasure hunt. If companies want a strong product pipeline for the future, they need to reconsider their hiring strategies. We need more genuine entry-level opportunities and a commitment to mentorship. #ProductManagement #JobSearch #Hiring #ProductManager #Career #TransitioningToProduct #Recruiting #CareerAdvice

A real problem we see at many clients, often with out any training provided. Great summary of the impacts of this short sighted approach!

Why do you really want to get into product management? Is it because everyone is talking about it… or is it truly the right fit for you? Let’s try to reflect. Product management is a fantastic career but it’s not for everyone, and that’s completely okay. Here are a few signals to pause and think: 1. You dislike ambiguity As a product manager, you’ll often be in situations with incomplete information and unclear answers. If you prefer clear directions and structured tasks, you might find this role more frustrating than exciting. 2. You don’t enjoy taking ownership (or influencing without authority) PMs are held accountable for outcomes even when they don’t have direct authority over teams. If you prefer roles where responsibility is shared or limited, product management may not feel fulfilling. 3. You don't like working with diverse teams This role involves constant collaboration with engineers, designers, marketers, sales teams, and sometimes even customers. If cross-functional teamwork drains you, PM might not be the right fit. 4. You appreciate predictable, routine work Every day is different in product management. Change is inevitable. If you prefer stability and routine, this role could feel overwhelming. 5. You expect quick results Some products take months, even years, to launch and see success. If you prefer quick wins, you may enjoy roles with faster feedback loops. Needless to say that the intent of this post isn’t to discourage you. It’s to help you pause, reflect, and make an intentional choice about your career. Because the right career fit leads to long-term growth and satisfaction. And sometimes, that fit might be product management or it could be something else that’s equally exciting and fulfilling. Remember - Your career, your choice. Choose wisely. #ProductManagement #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #FindYourFit #ProductCareers

For over a decade, my experience in hiring Product Managers has witnessed a significant evolution in the role. Initially focused on roadmaps, the position has transformed into a strategic leadership role with a strong commercial and business-oriented approach. This shift has been propelled by technological advancements such as AI, an increased reliance on data, and the evolving expectations of customers. Today, Product Managers are akin to CEOs of their products, tasked with diverse responsibilities. These include driving revenue generation, fostering cross-functional collaboration, utilizing AI and data analytics for informed decision-making, and overseeing the complete user experience, extending beyond just the development phase. While the traditional concept of a Product Manager is diversifying into more specialized roles, the fundamental duties of comprehending user requirements and orchestrating teams to deliver value persist at the core.

Why is everyone suddenly talking about product management? I have been in the product for over a long time, and the buzz around this role keeps growing. Here’s why I think the product management has become such a hot career choice today. 1. Innovation is at the heart of the role Companies in tech, healthcare, fintech, and beyond are under constant pressure to innovate. Product managers lead the charge in building new features, improving user experiences, and creating products that meet changing customer needs. It is a role that keeps you at the forefront of what’s next. 2. Collaboration across teams One of the things I appreciate most about product management is how it connects you with different parts of the business. You work closely with engineers, designers, marketers, sales teams, and customer support. This variety keeps the role dynamic and rewarding. 3. Seeing your impact firsthand Few roles let you directly measure the results of your work. As a product manager, you get to launch features and watch how they affect user engagement, revenue, or satisfaction. That real-time feedback loop is what makes the work meaningful. 4. Constant new challenges Every project brings its own unique set of problems to solve. Whether you are building something from scratch or improving an existing product, there is always something new to learn. This variety keeps the role exciting and prevents boredom. 5. Real career growth Many of today’s top leaders started in product management because it teaches you how to think strategically about customers, business, and growth. The skills you develop open doors to leadership roles and beyond. For many, the combination of challenge, impact, and growth made product management a fulfilling career for over several years. #ProductManagement #PMCareers #TechCareers #BuildingProducts #CareerGrowth If you are exploring product management or already on this path, I would love to hear your experiences and insights. Share it in the comments.

Product Manager is a high stakes job, inherently risky because you're foremost trying to find a solution, then conceptualizing a problem solution pair that's going to be valuable as well as viable. You're figuring out the business model too. You're responsible for making the whole adventure a success. While dealing with a thousand annoying things. While being judged impatiently by hundreds of stakeholders. and frankly, PM require a completely different pattern of thinking than what truly drives product excellence. 😊 #productmanager

Are you good at your job? As a Product Manager, that's harder to answer than it should be. Sales teams hit revenue targets. Engineers ship features. Support teams solve tickets. But Product Managers? We're measured against definitions that change company to company. So how did we get here? A few empowered companies built successful product organizations. Everyone else saw the results and wanted them too—without understanding the role or changing how their org operates. Now most companies know they're supposed to have Product Managers. So they post the role, copy requirements from a job board, and figure it out later. The result? Same title, completely different jobs. I've seen PMs who spend their days: • Writing SQL queries and building dashboards • Running Jira like a project coordinator • Making PowerPoint decks for executives Meanwhile, the core work—understanding problems, defining solutions, making trade-offs—gets lost somewhere between the org chart and reality. This creates an impossible career planning problem. Do you learn SQL or user research? Pricing strategy or sprint planning? You can't know until you're already in the role. I don't have a clean answer here. But I'm curious: Is this unique to Product Management, or are other roles just as poorly defined? What role have you seen mean completely different things at different companies? #ProductManagement #ProductManager #CareerAdvice

Hiring the wrong Product Manager at the wrong stage can 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Here's what 15+ years in 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 has taught me: the PM skills you need at launch are fundamentally different from what you need at scale—and completely different from what's required during decline or reinvention. Most companies hire Product Managers based on 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬. The smart ones hire based on 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. Therefore, product managers who understand where they excel—and companies that hire accordingly—𝐰𝐢𝐧. A PM who 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘵 is different from one who excels at 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 navigating your product lifecycle or finding your ideal PM role? 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭. #ProductLifecycle #ProductLeadership #ProductStrategy #ProductGrowth

📱 Is Product Management Really Domain Bound? I’ve often seen talented PMs being filtered out — not because they lack skill, but because they come from a different domain. And honestly… I’ve experienced this myself. While exploring new product opportunities, I noticed how many hiring filters are set by domain, not by potential. It made me reflect on something I’ve learned firsthand in my career — 💭 Domain can be learned. Mindset cannot. Product management isn’t about knowing everything about a particular industry. It’s about knowing how to ask the right questions, solve real problems, and turn insights into outcomes that matter. Yes, domain knowledge adds depth — but it shouldn’t be a gatekeeper. What truly matters is your ability to learn fast, adapt faster, and deliver impact across contexts. 👉 Have you ever been held back (or seen someone rejected) just because of a different domain background? #ProductManagement #CareerGrowth #Mindset #Learning #Adaptability #TechProduct #CareerTransitions #ProductThinking