How I Became a Product Manager with NO Experience

Breaking into Product took me 5 years and many career pivots — from my software engineering internship at Amazon, to my 2-year gig as a YouTuber. But after months of practice and hundreds of rejections, I was able to land my first job as a Product Manager! In this video, I’ll share how I got my first PM job (with very little experience) and my reflections along the way. ✨

〰️ timestamps 〰️
0:00 - My journey as a Product Manager
0:33 - Learning about PM
1:57 - Building my YouTube channel as a product
2:59 - Breaking into Product
5:28 - Reflections after 1.5 years as a PM
6:12 - I like being a Product Manager!
7:17 - Conclusion
7:38 - Bloopers

〰️ resources i used to prepare for PM interviews〰️

〰️ connect 〰️
🍳 Cooking YouTube - @souschefharshibar

〰️ my links 〰️

〰️ music 〰️

〰️ disclosure 〰️
Some of the above links are affiliate links. Using these links is the best way to support me and my everlasting desire to find that Indian parent approval 🙃

〰️ editing effects 〰️

#harshibar #productmanager #productmanagement

[satya_kartik]

Thank you for your knowledge, so basically Allu Arjun is your favorite actor and you are obsessed with Arya series and happy days😅. Just kidding, Content is helpful😊.

[Cluster-orchestrator]

I just recently became a Product Manager for a Cloud Native Cybersecurity SaaS product. Worked 2 years internally in support and officially transferred to engineering as per my new PM role. I do agree with your first tip about internal transfers. Generally it’s like that because of how long it can take before someone can fully encapsulate the product you are trying to manage. But anyways good luck in your role!

[nikkir]

You seem like the sweetest! wishing you the best and happiest life <3

[zahrahabeeb]

I transitioned from digital marketing to product management (your resume video was super helpful, created mine on Overleaf as well hehe) Now I work as a PM in tech and I love it! <3

[harshibar]

💃so, which indian movie reference was your favorite?

also, let me know what video you want to see next month!! 🐒

[varshagnaik]

thank you for this video harshibar. I was a developer who switched to product marketing, now planning on moving to product management. I have watched a tonne of videos & this video has given me a sense of direction & kind of made me feel like you are giving advice to me from across the room. thank you.

[alaineiraola]

Im so inspired! Thank you for sharing your experience. I can relate. Ive tried different careers over the years and now i’m pivoting to project management. Most of the time it feels like i have nothing to show recruiters because im coming from a diff field. But still i gotta try!

[harshbharadwaj]

Loved your videos with a touch of humour!
I am a QA manager trying to get into product role. I would like to know you journey and ups and downs on how you did it.

[gokuls]

Loved all the movie references!!!. Maybe your routine as a PM in new york in your next video!!!

[judyvsworld]

amazing video and editing. thanks for sharing and motivating me to get into the grind <3

[dungnguyenanh]

love you, thank you for sharing, amazing journey

[CD-zzml]

Hey Harshibar,
As another 20-something female in tech, I've been subscribed to your channel and watching new videos on and off since 2019 when you posted the video about quitting your six figure software engineering job. Little did I know that I too would quit my 6 figure SWE job at Microsoft to pursue a creative interest. Then in 2022 I went back and got a job at Amazon web services since the recession was coming. I was applying to product jobs but you're so right how hard it is to land even just the interview without having prior experience. Amazon was the only application I sent out for SWE and I ended up getting a really good offer and took it.
Turns out no amount of money would make me happy in a role I didn't feel energized to grow in. I lasted just shy of 8 months at Amazon before leaving to pursue entrepreneurship and work full time on my AI marketing agency. I figured that I don't need a corporation to decided if I can take on a product role or not! Congrats on finding a vocation that you can see yourself growing in for the next decade! It's so important to keep on searching for what makes you get excited to get up in the morning but can also support the lifestyle you desire.
-Claire

[kaushikrao]

What is the greatest challenge you have faced as a product manager, and what are some other challenges you have encountered throughout your career?

[jay_wright_thats_right]

Pre-med and computer science. Too smart for me.

[creepystudyhub]

I'm still a teen idk anything regarding those complex things but I still do watch ur videos by the way I'm from India

[rutujadahibhate]

Hey Harshi, I am in lot of confusion rn in my career. Just want some clarity from someone here your video popped up. I am working as a associate software engineer and being a fresher I have lot of anxiety in my mind related my career and job role. I just want to ask you do you have any idea about BPM and it's tools like Signavio, Aris, etc? Are they worth moving forward with ?

[joshipu]

Hey Harshibar,

I've recently started watching your content and loving it, very creative, super fun to watch. it would be great if you could touch upon following topics

PM for B2B product Vs B2C
PM experience when starting on a new product VS taking over existing/established

Thanks

[NckNck-puvb]

"Not that many PM jobs out there" as you scroll a result list 14, 468 jobs in NYC...

[Amy-vgnn]

Hi! Thanks for sharing this valuable info and tips in your video. However, it doesn’t seem fair to say that you had NO experience. I get that it’s a title and it has to be catchy, but, really, you had a pretty good background as a person who already worked in Tech for several years, had certain PM responsibilities in your previous role and had worked on your own product for 2 years.

[rickibanks]

It was a very relatable watch with the switch of jobs. wishing you a fulfilling life. started my PM journey and i am going to begin with getting certification