The product manager is responsible for managing the products, planning and execution of the product life cycle. Product managers bridge the gap between the different departments involved in successfully bringing a product to market. If you understand the consumer market, this could be a great career for you. So let’s start by having a look at the different types of resumes.
See What People are Saying About Us
Job Duties of a Product Manager
A product manager defines product vision, conducts market research and generates market requirements. They develop production timetables, pricing and plans for product introduction, along with creating marketing strategies. Here is a complete list of job responsibilities of a product manager:
Determining customer needs and preferences by researching to obtain market information.
Defining the product strategies and storyboarding.
Generating new ideas to improve customer experience and growth.
Translating product strategy into detailed requirements for creation and final product development.
Prioritizing activities based on business and consumer impact.
Acting as a leader to build brand awareness and understanding.
Collaborating with the engineering, production, marketing and sales teams for the development of products.
Accessing what competitors are offering and seeking opportunities for differentiation.
Appraising new product ideas and strategizing appropriate marketing plans
Product Manager Median Salaries
The average median salary of a product manager, according to PayScale, is $97,865 as of April 2021.
Top Skills for Product Managers
To accomplish their duties, product managers must possess communication and technological skills that will help them improve efficiency. Here is a list of some of the top skills for product managers:
Ability to communicate
Communication is imperative for product managers. Although you will mainly be communicating with clients and customers through presentations that convey goals, you must also be ready to meet customers and discuss your company’s product while also sitting down with other teams to discuss product production and other topics. Without effective communication skills, any strategies you might have for a product will not come to fruition as people will not be clear on how to implement your vision.Technical knowledge to use the software
Being a product manager, you work from creation to delivery of a product. Technology plays an integral role in how you conduct business. There are many tools and software available for product managers, and you can benefit from them such as Asana, OneDesk and Nifty that help you manage and track project progress easily. Special online courses, such as Udemy's Great Product Manager course, can help you better understand these tools. le.Business skills
Product managers should understand business to strategize for product development. A product manager should know about budgeting, profits and other integral aspects in a product development phase. Knowledge of the business will enable you to discuss revenues and ask for an increase in budget, among other matters.Marketing skills
The primary skills for any product manager is promoting and successfully delivering products. As a professional, you should create a pricing framework, acknowledge changing demands and develop new strategies for your product launch. If you are interested in product marketing training, you can check the Pragmatic Institute.Research and analytical skills to understand the market
As a product manager, you must perform extensive research to understand market trends, opportunities and threats. Afterward, you must analyze data to be able to strategize and perfectly market your product thoroughly.Presentation skills
A product manager should know all there is to know about the product they are representing, and tailor their campaigns to appeal to their audience. Through your presentation skills, you must learn to influence the opinion of others.
Product managers education and certifications
Degree
To be a product manager, you should have a bachelor’s degree in business or any related marketing or communication fields. Institutions like the University of California Berkeley offer bachelor’s degrees in fields such as global management. In contrast, the University of Michigan and the University of Texas offer degrees in business; Another option is to apply for a master’s degree in business which can be done on UOnline through University of Miami. These degrees will further your understanding of how to market products to consumers flawlessly.Certifications
If you want to impress recruiters, a certificate in product management is a good option. These help reassure employers that you genuinely possess the skills needed to excel in your role and are not a risk to hire. Most of these programs are online courses, such as the Berkeley ExecEdu certificate for product management. Another option is the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management program, which offers lessons in managing and optimizing a product’s life. You can also choose a Professional Certificate in Product Management, a five-month program from edX.
Coursera also offers various courses for product managers like Software Product Management, Brand and Product Management and even some to expand your knowledge in the field like the Digital Product Management Specialization.
Product Manager Resume-Writing Tips
- Tailor your resume according to the needs of the employer. Whenever you are applying for a job, you should always pay attention to the employer’s requirements and amend your resume accordingly. An employer would like to know your qualities relevant to the job requirements, so it is important to showcase all skills that relate to the job description.
- Highlight outcomes of your work. You should mention specific achievements rather than only previous job responsibilities. You can say how you were able to bring success to a specific product or the company like, “Worked to identify and design new ad-serving applications resulting in 130% increase in Q2 2021 overall business” instead of writing “increased business.”
- Create an excellent objective statement. At this stage in your resume-building process an eye-catching objective statement or professional summary might make or break your application. You should write your statement clearly and concisely, avoiding jargon. It is important to explain your qualifications and some key skills as well as your plans for progress in your career.
FAQ
Is product manager a promising career?
Yes, being a product manager in the marketing industry is a promising and potentially lucrative career. There are many opportunities and multiple industries in need of product managers.
Are product managers in demand?
The product manager is one of the most in-demand jobs. As the technical field is expanding, so is the demand for product managers increasing. According to LinkedIn a 2019 study, product marketing management had a 30% increase in year-over-year growth and product management had a 29% increase and both scored an eight out of ten in career advancement.