After a few years of work experience, perhaps across different roles and companies, it's time to discover your niche. Within this specialized area, you can cultivate true expertise. Concentrate your efforts, dedicate time to it, and become the sought-after expert.
Treat your career like a product
A common piece of advice is to treat your career like a product. But how do you put this into practice? Let's explore some key questions.
First, define the problem you solve. Think in terms of "Jobs To Be Done" (JTBD). What specific job will you be hired for? Go beyond the title "product manager." Consider what challenge the employer aims to address by bringing you on board.
Next, what value do you deliver? What unique contributions do you bring to the table? How do you make a difference?
Consider your go-to-market strategy. How can potential employers find you? Is your online presence optimized? Are you networking effectively?
Determine your pricing. Research appropriate salary ranges for your experience and location. Also, consider your preferences for benefits, work-life balance, and company culture.
How will you continuously improve and learn? Identify resources, courses, and mentors to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Experimentation is crucial. Try different approaches to your work and job search. Analyze what yields positive results and what doesn't. This iterative process will refine your strategy.
Feedback is essential for growth. Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors. Use this input to identify areas for improvement and refine your approach.
Bonus Tip: Mentor others by encouraging them to view their careers as products. These same questions can guide your mentoring sessions. You don't need all the answers, but asking the right questions can empower your mentees to take ownership of their career development. This approach works well in both formal mentoring relationships and with team members.
Which LLM? → All of them!
When I use a chatbot AI, I use whatever fits best to my use case. With Abacus ChatLLM, I choose between ChatGPT-5, Claude 4, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok, Llama… whatever I need, for less than a ChatGPT subscription.
[I am not affiliated with Abacus, but I am a convinced subscriber. If you use the link and subscribe, I will receive a referral fee.]
What I read
As usual, I will list some of the best articles I read on the Internet. I will keep a list of the best articles (currently >800) at https://www.digital-product-management.com. These are today’s picks:
How to Challenge People in Power (Without Making Enemies): A good way to act to influence and convince executives.
Roman Estimation: A Simple, Easy and Quick Alternative to Story Points.
Product Management Communication Toolkits to Lead with Impact: Communicate with Clarity, Influence Decisions, and Get Things Done.