1. Introduction
Why does this matter?
Who are we?
What now?
2. The Product Manager Role
What is a PM?
Functions of a PM
Top Myths about Product Management
Project Managers and Program Managers
3. Companies
How the PM Role Varies
Google
Microsoft
Apple
Facebook
Amazon
Yahoo
Twitter
Startups
4. Getting the Right Experience
New Grads
Making the Most of Career Fairs
Do you need an MBA?
Why Technical Experience Matters
Transitioning from Engineer to Product Manager
Transitioning from Designer to Product Manager
Transitioning from Other Roles
What Makes a Good Side Project?
5. Career Advancement
Tips and Tricks for Career Advancement
Q & A: Fernando Delgado, Sr. Director, Product Management at Yahoo
Q & A: Ashley Carroll, Senior Director of Product Management, DocuSign
Q & A: Brandon Bray, Principal Group Program Manager, Microsoft
Q & A: Thomas Arend, International Product Lead, Airbnb
Q & A: Johanna Wright, VP at Google
Q & A: Lisa Kostova Ogata, VP of Product at Bright.com
6. Behind the Interview Scenes
Google
Microsoft
Facebook
Apple
Amazon
Yahoo
Twitter
Dropbox
7. Resumes
The 15 Second Rule
The Rules
Attributes of a Good PM Resume
What to Include
8. Real Resumes: Before & After
Richard Wang (Anonymized)
Paul Unterberg
Amit Agarwal (Anonymized)
Adam Kazwell
9. Cover Letters
Elements of a Good PM Cover Letter
The Cover Letter Template
A Great Cover Letter
10. Company Research
The Product
The Strategy
The Culture
The Role
The Questions
11. Define Yourself
“Tell Me About Yourself” (The Pitch)
“Why do you want to work here?”
“Why should we hire you?”
“Why are you leaving your current job?”
“What do you like to do in your spare time?”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Sample Strengths
Sample Weaknesses
12. Behavioral Questions
Why These Questions Are Asked
Preparation
Follow-Up Questions
Types of Behavioral Questions
13. Estimation Questions
Approach
Numbers Cheat Sheet
Tips and Tricks
Example Interview
Sample Questions
14. Product Questions
About the Product Question
Type 1: Designing a Product
Type 2: Improving a Product
Type 3: Favorite Product
Preparation
Tips and Tricks
Sample Questions
15. Case Questions
The Case Question: Consultants vs. PMs
What Interviewers Look For
Useful Frameworks
Product Metrics
Interview Questions
16. Coding Questions
Who Needs To Code
What You Need To Know
How You Are Evaluated
How To Approach
Developing an Algorithm
Additional Questions
Solutions
17. Appendix
Ian McAllister: Top 1% PMs vs. Top 10% PMs
Adam Nash: Be a Great Product Leader
Sachin Rekhi: The Inputs to a Great Product Roadmap
Ken Norton: How to Hire a Product Manager
Amazon Leadership Principles
18. Acknowledgements
Gayle Laakmann McDowell
Jackie Bavaro