4 Essential Tips for Transitioning from Marketing to Product Management

In 2022, I transitioned my career from working in Digital Marketing teams to taking on my first role as a Product Manager. This journey is often challenging, so I’d like to share four tips that may help others currently navigating a similar transition. Invest your time in Product Training Books, articles, newsletters… The internet is brimming with high-quality resources to help you learn the fundamentals of product management. Additionally, enrolling in a product management boot camp can significantly accelerate your learning process. Not only will you gain structured knowledge, but you’ll also earn a certification that will enhance your job search. Remember, not all training needs to be directly tied to product management. Courses in related areas, such as empathy, assertiveness, or negotiation, can also be highly beneficial. Highlight Relevant Experience in Your CV Skills and knowledge relevant to product management can often be extracted from previous roles, even if they weren’t directly related to digital products. Consider these questions: Have you worked with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals? Have you prioritized tasks to meet work objectives? Have you proposed or implemented improvements to increase efficiency? Have you gathered feedback from clients or customers to improve processes or outcomes? These experiences showcase essential skills for a Product Manager role. Update your resume to emphasize these transferable skills, positioning yourself as a strong candidate and increasing your chances of advancing in the interview process. Build Your Network Connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn and engage with their content by offering meaningful insights. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also increases your visibility among their network, potentially leading to job opportunities. Seek out Slack, Discord, or Reddit communities where digital product discussions take place. Engaging in these spaces allows you to learn from others and build relationships with people already working in product management, who may even recommend you for roles if they value your contributions. In short, immerse yourself in the product management community, establish your personal brand, and align it with your job search goals. Create a Portfolio Take advantage of the many free and affordable tools available to build digital products and showcase your skills. You could create an online store, develop a no-code app (perfect if you don’t have programming experience), or design Notion templates. Any project where you apply product management principles will be a valuable addition to your portfolio and a significant step toward achieving your career goals. By following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to transition into product management and position yourself as a strong candidate in this competitive field.