Ask HN: Move to product management at 35?
My $0.02, having been a PM for many years:<p>Read Cracking the PM Interview [1] (for an overview of the job, not the actual interview tips) and The Lean Startup [2] (for general philosophy).<p>35 is a great age for a PM, especially since PM&#x27;s often start elsewhere -- maturity is a plus here. I&#x27;d say there are 3 main ways into it -- as an engineer, who starts to do PM-type stuff on a team where there&#x27;s no PM. As a designer, who starts to do PM-type stuff on a team where there&#x27;s no PM. Or as an MBA who has a good sense for engineering and design. Certifications generally don&#x27;t mean anything -- communication and leadership skills, good judgment, experience and a proven track record are what matter. But all those things can be demonstrated in previous non-PM roles, in order to make the initial switch.<p>Also, if you want to be a PM then you&#x27;d better <i>enjoy</i> meetings, slides, people, and communicating &amp; convincing all day long, day-in day-out. If those make you say an enthusiastic &quot;yes that&#x27;s me!&quot; then jump right in. If not... you&#x27;re gonna have a bad time...<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology&#x2F;dp&#x2F;0984782818" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technol...</a><p>[2] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation&#x2F;dp&#x2F;0307887898" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.amazon.com&#x2F;Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous...</a>