Here’s the truth about product jobs (that no one tells you)
Most PM roles don’t go to the best applicant.
They go to the best-connected builder.
That’s because PMs get hired through trust. And trust is built through relationships — not applications.
The job offer I landed at Kajabi?
It didn’t start with a resume. It started with a conversation.
Let’s reverse-engineer how I got there—so you can too.
Step 1: Know what you want, so you can be intentional
When I moved to the U.S., I didn’t shotgun my resume everywhere.
I chose the top companies I wanted to work at — Kajabi was one of them.
Why? Because I used their product. I loved what they were building. I had a personal connection to it through Product Academy.
If you’re not clear on why you want to work somewhere, they won’t be either.
Define your Job Search Strategy first. Then build a short list of companies aligned with it. This filters out the noise and helps you go deep, not wide. If you want to learn how to write a Job Search Strategy - here’s an article I’ve written up earlier: https://www.productacademy.io/newsletters/product-dave-breaking-into-product-management/posts/ask-dave-005-how-to-find-a-product-manager-job-that-s-for-you
Step 2: Give people a reason to remember you
Here’s how I reached out:
“Hey Albert — saw this PM role at Kajabi. I’ve actually built a course business using Kajabi. Made six figures in revenue. This role lines up perfectly. Any chance you’d feel comfortable making an intro?”
No fluff. No begging. Just a clear value signal.
Albert introduced me.
But I didn’t stop there.
I followed up with a Notion doc of 11 product ideas for Kajabi — and a Loom video walking through them. That got shared internally. Tracked views. It cut through the noise.
That one Loom? It led to the interview. And eventually, the job.
If you’re wondering - here is that exact Notion Page of product ideas: https://www.productacademy.io/newsletters/product-dave-breaking-into-product-management/posts/the-notion-doc-that-landed-me-the-pm-role-in-a-new-country
Step 3: Stop chasing people. Start planting seeds.
Networking is not about getting something.
It’s about growing something.
If you’re DMing strangers asking for referrals, you're not networking — you're asking for favors. That’s why it doesn’t work.
Instead, change your mindset:
✅ Give. Give. Get.
Offer value before asking for anything.
- Share a helpful article that’s relevant to a recent post they have commented, liked, or shared. Find common interests by asking GPT and give you some inspirations.
- Create product teardown videos
- Give thoughtful feedback on their product
✅ Focus on quality, not quantity
One meaningful relationship > 100 surface-level contacts.
I built a job search group with just 6 people. That was enough.
✅ Be a producer, not a consumer
Build side projects. Write blog posts. Launch experiments.
They don’t need to be perfect. They just need to exist.
When someone asks, “What have you built?”
You have a real answer.
Step 4: Use LinkedIn like a pro
LinkedIn is not your resume. It’s your landing page.
It’s Tinder for job hunting.
Clean up your profile:
- Banner: Show where you're based or what space you’re in (e.g. Fintech, Creator Economy)
- Headline: “Product Manager | Creator Economy | Ex-[relevant company]”
- First line of each job: Who you reported to, what you delivered, and why it matters
Then start engaging:
- Comment thoughtfully on posts by PMs you admire
- Tag them when you share insights
- DM with context: “Loved your take on X — here’s something it reminded me of…”
This isn’t fake engagement. It’s signal-building. You’re showing up in the right places consistently — which builds familiarity.
Step 5: Know how to move conversations forward
Once you’ve built rapport, don’t rush the ask.
Instead, go on a "first date".
Invite someone for:
- A coffee chat
- A Zoom call to unpack a problem
- A debrief after a webinar or event
Then ask the golden question:
“What would it take for someone like me to land a role like yours?”
That opens the door without pressure. If they see potential, they’ll tell you.
If not, they’ll share what’s missing — and you’ll know what to work on.
Bonus: Don’t forget internal networking
Already in a company but not in a PM role?
Your fastest path might be internal.
Here's how:
- Be excellent at what you currently do—this is your credibility.
- Build relationships with the product team. Don’t pitch ideas. Just offer help.
- Offer your strengths—data, insights, and customer pain points—to support PMs.
- Help with the work they don’t want to do—triaging bugs, writing summaries, and sorting tickets. Add that to your resume.
And when a role opens up? You’re the obvious choice. Because you’ve already been doing the job.
The big mindset shift
Landing a PM role is less about applying and more about attracting.
Here’s how it works:
What’s your first move?
You don’t need 500 connections. You need 5 that count.
You don’t need a perfect pitch. You need a reason to reach out.
You don’t need to apply harder. You need to build smarter.
Start small:
- Pick one company you're excited about
- Create one small thing you can share with someone who works there
- Reach out with value—not a request
That’s how you start showing up.
That’s how you start getting noticed.
And that’s how your next PM job comes to you—before you even hit apply.
Want help figuring out your first networking move? Drop me a message. Let’s make it real.
🚀 Want to break into Product Management? Join my FREE Monthly Meetup with 2,300+ others on the same journey — ask questions, get real advice, and learn what actually works. 👉 RSVP here
Want to learn practical product management? Check out my courses at productacademy.io — self-paced, no-fluff training built by me. Lifetime Access. Happiness Guarantee.
Responses