First Month for Being a Product Manager
Sep 3, 2018 · 2 min read
After said goodbye to my shining investor life, I have joined a Chinese tech firm as a Product Manager. Thus, life does change quite a bit.
Here are my first 1-month-experience as a brand new PM:
- Chinses tech firm moves FAST: I mean REALLY FAST! You need to pick up lots of skill at one time which includes data analysis, marketing, UI and etc.
- Technically, no training: One month work makes you feel like six months. Your PM mentor gave you many tasks and expected you to pick up asap (I actually really like this part). Also, you are new doesn’t mean that you are doing zero-prioritized work so don’t expect someone will always back you up.
- Everyone is busy: If you have heard about 996 (9am-9pm, 6 days per week) then you probably get this point. Before joining Bytedance, I have heard about people in some other firms have to stay up late because they didn’t want others to feel that they weren’t busy enough. But now I really think people stay up late really because the work is not done.
- Many Hats: I guess this part is the same everywhere. The conversation between engineers, BDs, operations, and PMs are different. I did experience difficulties at the beginning because I didn’t understand the terminologies (especially all in CHINESE…i know this is crazy). After the fast speed and lots of conversation, you will get it eventually.
- Communication style: Being in the VC world, I have learned certain communication skills that may create a friendly/comfortable vibe. I will say those skills are still worked but seem are not as necessary as before. People around me are very straightforward and direct. No need to have an open sentence.
- Product Sense: Since became as a PM, you kinda understand all the “tricks” and purposes on the app. So when I use other apps on the daily basis, I will avoid some bottoms that clearly want you to click LOL.
Still have a long way to go for being a decent PM… Find me if you want to learn more on LinkedIn :)
