What does a Product Manager do? A simple guide for beginners

Introduction: Understanding the role of a product manager

In today’s rapidly changing world, new careers are becoming increasingly popular. One of the most discussed roles is the role of the Product Manager (PM). If you’re someone who likes to solve problems, work with different teams and build things that are useful to people, this might be the right career path for you.

What does a product manager actually do? Simply put, a Product Manager is the person who decides what to build, why he should be built, and how it should work. They resemble the goals of ship captains and lead designers, developers, marketers and more.

Also, if you’re looking for product management options, a platform like Recruit-G can help. Recruit-G is a work search platform that combines job seekers with real and validated roles, including hiring beginner and junior-level product managers.

What is a product really?

Before jumping into the responsibility of the PM, first understand the meaning of the word product.

The product is anything that solves problems or meets your needs. That might be:

Mobile apps like Instagram and WhatsApp

Websites like Recruit-G

Software such as Zoom and Microsoft Word

Physical objects like smartwatches and fitness trackers

So when you say product manager, you talk about someone who is responsible for planning and managing the development of this product.

What does a product manager actually do?

The main tasks and responsibilities of a Product Manager are as follows: I’ll explain it in simple terms.

1. Find what users need

All great products start with problems. The first task of a PM is to understand what users need and what problems they face.

You do this:

Read customer feedback

Please talk to the user

Please look at the data

Research what your competitors do

Example: Recruit-G allows you to realize that PMs are tired of creating unrelated jobs. Therefore, it can be presented with the ability to better coordinate jobs based on skills and experience.

2. Create a product vision

As soon as you understand the user’s problem, the PM sets up a clear product view. This means that the team decides what to build and why.

This vision helps the whole team stay focused and work in the same direction.

Example: Create an intelligent job filter system only for the relevant validated jobs.

3. Plan what to build (product roadmap)

The Product Manager roadmaps simple plans, such as:

Which features are built?

When they are constructed

It’s the most important

We prioritize features that provide maximum value to our users.

4. Working with various teams

PM does not build the product itself. Instead, coordinate with a team that does the following tasks:

Designer who creates the look

Code Writer

Marketing Teams that promote products

Sales and support to help customers use this

The PM acts like the heart of communication between all these people.

5. Test and improve your product

As soon as the function begins, the PM will confirm:

• Are users happy with that?

• Is there any problem?

• How can you make it better?

Continuously improve your product with data, user feedback and testing.

What skills do product managers need?

You don’t have to be a developer or code to become a PM. However, there must be a mix of soft skills and technical understanding.

Soft Skills:

Good Communication — Explaining ideas for different people

Teamwork — Working with people from different backgrounds

Empathy — Understanding the feelings and needs of users

Decisions — Making — Choosing the best choice in most cases

Basic technical skills:

Understand how your website/app works

Use tools like Trello, Jira, Figma, Term

Read basic data using Google Analytics, Excel, etc.

Knowledge of product terminology such as MVP (minimal generation products), user flow, wireframes, and more.

You don’t need to code, but knowing how things work technically is a big help.

Why is this role so important?

Product Manager brings clarity, structure and direction to your product team.

• Don’t waste your team’s time building the wrong thing

• Help your company grow by building user-loving features

• Complement the same business goals with user needs

• Run the user’s voice

Without PM, teams can build things that no one wants too quickly or even worse.

How to Become a Product Manager: Step-by-Step

It’s not necessary to become a PM to a certain extent. People from marketing, engineering, design and even teaching become product managers.

This is about:

1. Learn the basics

Start with free resources:

YouTube: Search for intros for product management.

Blog: Read about PM’s travel and real experiences

Free Course: Try Google’s Product Management Course or others with Coursera

2. Working on actual projects

You don’t need work to build your skills. Attempt:

Create product ideas on paper

Help of small companies to improve that website or app

Explaining the redesign of your daily app and why

3. Create a portfolio

Create a simple portfolio that appears.

Product Ideas

Solutions to the designed problems

How to improve functions (similar to Recruit-G)

4. Apply for the Junior Roll

Search for titles like this:

Associate Product Manager

Product Intern

Product Analyst

Where does the Product Manager work?

Currently, most types of companies require a product manager. The technology industry is working on mobile apps, web apps and a variety of digital tools. At eCommerce, PMS is responsible for improving its online shops and delivery platforms. EdTech companies like Byjus also need PMS to manage their learning platforms and user experiences. The healthcare sector helps develop patient portals, fitness apps and health surveillance equipment. In the financial sector, product managers are involved in creating budgeting apps, online banking platforms and digital payment systems.

Whether it’s a new feature in the Job Portal or an online store checkout process, PMS plays an important role in the design of the structure and how it works.

How much does a product manager make?

Product Manager salaries vary by experience, company and location. In India, you can expect beginners with 0 years of experience to earn between 6–12 lakhs a year. A mid-level PM with 3 years of experience will usually earn between 15 and 25 lakh per year. Senior product managers with over 7 years of experience often earn over 30 lakhs a year.

In the US, entry limit PMS usually starts around $80,000 a year, while experienced PMS can earn up to $160,000 or more, especially at top high-tech companies.

Final thought: Is product management suitable for you?

If you enjoy it:

Solve the real problem

Talk to people and understand their needs

Work Planning and Organization

Build what people like to use

A career in product management is perfect for you.

Also, with platforms like Recruit-G, you don’t have to do it alone. With Recruit-G, you can take your first step from an entry-level job to a senior position and become a successful product manager.