What do you do if your resume lacks internship experience in product management?

It's crucial to project problem-solving skills whether it is from past work-ex or internships. In absence of internships, look to showcase some of products that you may have build, any project that you may have handled. Having said that, you should look to undertake internships or any product development cohort immediately to build a profile but more than that to get a proper orientation to approach any problem from a PM perspective.

Even without formal internship experience, it's likely that you've gone through stages or performed tasks relevant to the role. It's worth revisiting these tasks and identifying all the skills developed, projects executed, and other achievements. You may already be fulfilling product management roles in your team, but perhaps you're not aware of it or you're unable to express clearly what you do, both to your boss and on your resume.

If your resume lacks product management internship experience, focus on showcasing transferable skills like project management, communication, and problem-solving. Highlight relevant projects and coursework, consider freelance or volunteer work, and network with professionals in the field. Look for entry-level positions and continue learning through online courses and certifications. Customize your resume to emphasize your suitability for product management roles.

I bring a diverse array of transferable skills to the table. From understanding customer needs to defining product vision and collaborating effectively with stakeholders, I leverage my experiences from various domains. Whether it's academic courses, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work, I've honed my skills through hands-on projects and real-world challenges. From conducting user research to ideating solutions in hackathons and contributing to non-profit initiatives, I've cultivated a versatile skill set that drives value and innovation in every project I undertake. Let's continue to leverage these skills to propel our products and teams to new heights

I work with a lot of students and people new to the industry of product management and one of the key elements that I encourage them to focus on is their transferable skills. Regardless of your experience or previous job titles, emphasizing your transferable skills including volunteer work, post-secondary courses, cap-stone projects or any other extracurricular activities. I regularly emphasize that your experience is all a garden, it's just the vegetables that are different. The same goes for transferable skills!

Traditional resumes are becoming outdated. Instead, create a dynamic digital portfolio that includes videos, blog posts, and interactive elements detailing your projects. This approach not only demonstrates your product management skills but also your ability to communicate and engage with an audience in the digital age, providing a more comprehensive view of your capabilities.

If you've done amazing work in the past, make sure you showcase it in your product portfolio and/or your CV. Even if you haven't been directly a product manager, you still gained incredible amounts of skill and experience as a team member. Put your best foot forward by showing what you've done, even if it's been in a personal or volunteer capacity as it ALL counts!

Instead of framing the lack of internship experience in product management as a limitation, let's challenge the assumption that traditional internship experience is the sole indicator of one's potential in this field. In today's dynamic job market, unconventional paths, self-directed projects, and diverse skill sets are increasingly valued. A resume should be viewed as a narrative of skills, accomplishments, and potential rather than a checklist of predetermined experiences. Let's explore how other experiences, personal projects, or even transferable skills can showcase the ability to excel in product management, challenging the conventional expectations around internship backgrounds.

It often feels like everyone is an expert and the information that they share can sometimes be quite contradictory. Do not get discouraged by this, nor that you cannot find a role due to your lack of formal experience in product management. I've switched streams in my career a few times, however I have always looked for ways to leverage my experience and show how it can be transferred to a new role, even in a diverse industry than where I have come from.