If you are willing to put in the hard work, this will work I joined Intentional Job Search when I decided that product management was for me. I landed two roles as Director of Product after having worked in consulting for most of my career. The program was critical in helping me get there, especially with the mindset training to enable me to put in the hard work, the emphasis on effective narration, and the mock interviews with the coaches from some of the top product led companies. I continue to work with them through the product leader blueprint program. I highly recommend this program but also want to tell you that it takes real dedication and work to get the results you want.

A Journey to reignite my desire to FAANG: Navigating Career Transitions and Challenges After seven fruitful years at Microsoft, I embarked on a new adventure, stepping into a director role at Salesforce. However, life had other plans in store for me – a lengthy commute, the joys (and challenges) of parenthood with a newborn, and the unforeseen impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seeking a change that aligned better with my evolving priorities, I set my sights on a company I could see from my window. Yet, as the initial wave passed and my second newborn arrived, a familiar ambition stirred within me – the desire to return to the world of FAANG. Despite the ease of receiving calls from top companies, I quickly realized that the landscape of product management had transformed. The market was saturated with advertisements from schools and coaching centers, while companies introduced new interview formats, making the path to reentry seem daunting. It was during this pivotal moment that I discovered IJS – a beacon of hope in my quest to regain my interview prowess. Armed with newfound knowledge and insights, I honed my skills, determined to showcase my abilities at the highest level. The journey was not without its challenges. In a harsh market climate, where FAANG companies were tightening their belts, securing offers that matched my leveling and expertise proved elusive. However, through perseverance and the support of IJS, I navigated through final interview loops, inching closer to my goal. Ultimately, I made a strategic decision to join a company that offered me the opportunity to reignite my professional drive while prioritizing time with my family. This role serves as a stepping stone, propelling me forward in my ongoing pursuit of a coveted position within the FAANG realm. As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for IJS coaches, the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the unwavering support from IJS community that propelled me forward. Though the path may have been winding, each step has brought me closer to realizing my aspirations in the ever-evolving landscape of tech.

Shobhit is a great coach Shobhit is a great coach. Loved how he starts every session out with celebrations. He works on your confidence and mindset and it was amazing! His course and coaching is gold and helped me get a 40% raise!

Aggressive and 'salesy' approach Unfortunately my experience with Shobhit was not a good one. It started off well with Shobhit answering my questions honestly and transparently, providing details of the program and a fair price. However when it came to actually making a decision, he emailed me agressively with a very 'salesy' tone that I must make the decision 'today'. 'Today' for me was a Sunday I was spending with my family for the Super Bowl. The next morning he informed me his offer was rescinded. When I exchanged emails with him he told me I did not display enough urgency for him (keep in mind, I'm spending the day with my family on a Sunday and still discussing the financials with my wife). Overall I believe in his business was what Intentional Product Manager is trying to achieve. However the aggressive approach is not for me. I prefer an approach based on 'trusting' a product. Shobhit's approach felt like a poor display of empathy, a lack of understanding of his cusotmer, and ironically enough, bad product management..

For Product Managers Looking to Level Up I am currently in one of the Intentional Product Manager courses and with the material and personalized coaching they provide it is helping me address the things holding me back from the next level in my career. I have had 3 offers since joining the class!