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Today’s Episode
Dr. Nancy Li specializes in getting people their dream jobs.
She is a record three-time collaborator of this newsletter, and you have loved each:
How to Write a Killer AI Product Manager Resume (With Examples)
How to Really Succeed in the Product Management Interview Process in 2024.
In this episode, we’re going to go super deep on the 2025 job search for you (this is better than many $1,500 courses):
Getting an AI PM Job - 00:09:36
Getting Interviews: Key Steps - 00:21:56
Must-Prepare Questions for PM Interviews - 00:59:09
Frameworks and Questions: Your Approach - 01:18:17
Top Tips for Salary Negotiations - 01:23:32
Here are the Key Takeaways
1. AI-Powered PM Roles Are Booming
The AI revolution is transforming product management with AI PM roles exploding across tech giants and startups.
These roles offer lucrative compensation (one candidate jumped from $370K to $510K).
But PMs don’t need formal AI backgrounds to break into these roles.
What they actually need is to master how to use AI, build some side projects using APIs and AI tools, and the passion for AI.
2. Product Work Will Land You More Interviews
In today’s competitive job market, resumes aren’t enough.
PM portfolios are your key to cutting through the noise.
She highlights a Meta candidate who bypassed the ATS…
By sharing her AI strategy portfolio directly with a hiring manager rather just making a beautiful resume.
To craft a winning portfolio, be sure to:
Have clear outcomes and measurable impact (e.g., product success metrics)
Customize by industry or domain (e.g., an AI-focused portfolio for AI roles)
Use during outreach — don’t wait to be asked, send it proactively
3. Use Tailored Networking to Bypass Job Boards
Most successful candidates don’t rely on “easy apply” on LinkedIn or one-click apply on job boards…
They win by networking proactively that demonstrates their value upfront.
They even deliver solutions before the interview even begins.
This helps them bypass gatekeepers and position them as candidates worth their attention.
To implement this strategy in a right way:
Identify the key decision makers
Send them personalized cold emails
And be very strategic with follow-ups.
Also, to back-up your claims attach relevant material in your outreach.
4. 5 Steps To Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
A well-optimized LinkedIn profile can drive job offers without you even applying.
Here are 5 steps to get noticed by recruiters:
Optimize Your Headline: Avoid generic titles like “aspiring PM.”Instead, highlight targeted roles like “AI Product Manager” or “Gen AI Strategist.”
Use AI Keywords: Include terms like “AI model fine-tuning,” “LLM,” and “AI product strategy” in your profile.
Highlight Key Skills: Pin your most relevant skills (e.g., “machine learning,” “AI systems”) at the top for better search visibility.
Link Your PM Portfolio: Make it easy for recruiters to access your work.
Activate Open to Work: Turn on the “Open to Work” feature during peak recruiter search periods and switch it off strategically when needed.
5. The Gucci Framework
AI products are fundamentally different from traditional digital products, and managing them requires a strategic approach.
She shared her Gucci Framework which is a comprehensive product strategy model built around key pillars:
Goals and Mission
User Segmentation
Competition Analysis
Core Offering
Integrated Ecosystem
By leveraging these 5 pillars, you can effectively navigate common AI product challenges like data drift, hallucination, and fluctuating user needs.
Referenced:
Book: “Who Moved My Cheese” By Spencer Johnson - Reveal profound truths about dealing with change
Frameworks:
Gucci Framework - Used for long-term product strategy development
MYCSPhD Framework - For metrics and analytical interviews
Two-sided Marketplace Framework - Helps you understand two-sided markets and build a successful marketplace business
Strategy: Blue Ocean vs. Red Ocean Strategy - Helps companies find uncontested market spaces and avoid price-driven competition
Tool: Waze - Nancy can’t live without it
Where to find Dr. Nancy
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Email productgrowthppp at gmail for advertising opportunities.
Up Next
We have some great podcasts coming from Poorvi Shrivastav (Fmr Senior Director of PM at Meta, Salesforce), Mike Davey (VP of Product, RaptorMaps), and Marily Nika (AI PM at Google, Former Meta). I’m excited to share them.
In the newsletter, check out the latest piece if you haven’t yet: Sales Tech Market Map 2025: The $30B Industry Breakdown
And look out for these pieces up next:
How To Nail Your Launch Plan
How Jira Product Discovery Grows
Candidate-Market Fit: The Advanced Guide for PMs
Cheers,
Aakash
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