Qualities Needed to get a Product Management Job
Finding the right job that matches your qualifications is not easy. Likewise, finding the right person to fill a certain job is equally difficult.
A product management job entails several tasks that usually include the effective, cost-efficient and profit-generating handling of a certain product. A product manager’s role may span from conceptualization, development, evaluation, and promotion of a product. Although the roles and responsibilities of a product manager may vary according to the industry, the type of product, and other key factors, a product management job generally entails overall accountability over the product being handled.
Depending on the industry, a product management job can be quite rewarding. But like any other job, product management is not for anyone. Even though you are qualified to apply for a product management job by virtue of your professional accomplishments, you may not get this job if you lack certain qualities.
Given you are qualified to apply to apply for a product management job; you must have the following qualities to be able to get it:
Creativity
You must be able to come up with creative ideas which are essential not only in the developmental phase of a product, but also in the promotional stage.
Initiative and resourcefulness
A good product manager needs to have these qualities, as they are key elements in the cost-efficient conceptualization, development, and marketing of products. Product management entails so much hard work and requires a lot of expenses, so being able to accomplish things without incurring much cost would be ideal.
Determination and perseverance
A product management job tends to be highly arduous and demanding, making it unsuitable for individuals who are easily discouraged or intimidated by challenges and problems. To get this job, you need to show your potential employer that you have a sense of purpose, determination and persistence needed for the job.
Intelligence and good decision-making skills
As a product manager, you have a significant control over the fate of the product you are handling. Therefore, being knowledgeable about your product, how it is developed and how it can be improved makes way for its effective management. And no matter what phase your product is in - development, production, and/or marketing - your good decision-making skills can be beneficial to your product and to the entire company as well.
Sense of accountability and ownership
In a way, a product management job is like owning the product you’re tasked to handle. As a product owner, you are accountable for anything that happens to your product - be it good or bad. If you have a good sense of accountability and ownership, you may just get the job, as employers can rest assured that you will not do anything that will be detrimental to the product.
Humility and integrity
These are also essential qualities you need to possess in order to get a product management job. If you are humble, you will be able to learn a lot and get to improve the quality and the market performance of your product. Moreover, if you have these qualities, the product you will be bringing to the public will be at par with industry standards. Your employer will listen to your ideas regarding the product, and the target consumers will be encouraged to try or continue using your product.
Diligence and conscientiousness
If you’re diligent, meticulous and have a keen eye for details, then you may be fit for a product management job, as it certainly requires these qualities. Before a product is pushed to production, it goes through a rigid developmental stage characterized by a series of tests and enhancements. You need to be conscientious in giving attention to the smallest details in order to bring out a product that’s superior in quality. And once the product is out, you have to be meticulous in choosing the right marketing approach to bring it to its target consumers.
Flexibility and risk management skills
As a product manager, you need to be able to make room for change and improvement - whether expected or not. You should be able to deal with both expected and unexpected scenarios by being alert and prepared at all times. You need to be on top of every situation by preparing for any preconceived problem, and being capable of tackling any unimagined setback.
Belief in your product
Finally, you need to have a strong belief in your product to be able to manage it successfully. If you believe that your product is good, beneficial and important to your target market, then almost half of your job is done, as you would do anything to bring an effective product to the consumers.
Depending on the product, employers may also look for other qualities when choosing their product managers, including a pleasing personality, ability to communicate well, and artistic/technical skills. If you have these qualities, combined with the right educational background and/or required experience, then you are likely to get a product management job.
Reference:
http://careers.stateuniversity.com
