AFTER THE CERT: Helping Product Managers Get Unstuck

If your PM job search feels stuck… this episode is for you. 🫶Most PM job searches don’t fail from lack of effort. Usually, they're stuck because of a few well-intentioned mistakes that are sabotaging their traction.In this episode, I share the 5 PM job search mistakes I’m seeing everywhere right now (and, of course, what to do instead):Being “open to anything” is undermining your credibilityThinking of your interview as a test, not a pitchApplying to roles you’re overqualified forExpecting consistent interviews when you lose momentumConfusing volume with a clear application strategyConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

How long does it actually take to land a PM offer right now? What interview conversion rates are realistic? And where are offers really coming from? In this episode, I’m sharing real 2025 job search data from inside the SPRINT program, including: time to offer, salary offers, and whether referrals actually led to jobs (hint: not as often as you probably think!). If you’re a data-driven PM, this one's for you.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

If you’re updating your resume for every single job and still not getting interviews, this episode is for you.I talk about why more tweaks, different keywords, and endless customization using resume-scoring tools usually doesn't help - it just leads to frustration and burnout. And, of course, I share what to do instead to get more, and better, interviews. Spoiler alert: you need to craft a clear, compelling story that makes you the obvious choice for the job. Unclear positioning is the #1 reason I see for PM job searches that are stalling out.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Hear me when I say: you absolutely, positively DO NOT need another PM course or certification to get hired.In this episode, I break down why certifications feel productive during a job search, but often act as expensive and time-consuming procrastination. I explain what hiring managers actually care about, why experience beats credentials every single time, and how focusing on the wrong gap can waste so much time.I also walk through how to reframe your experience, even if you haven't had a formal PM title, so you can position yourself as the obvious choice for the right roles. If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll start applying once I get this one certification” this is your gentle (but direct) wake-up call.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Most PM job searches take longer than they should. Not because of the "bad" market, or because you're unqualified... but because you're not clearly articulating your value.In this episode, I share the top way you can set yourself up to shorten your PM job search by getting clear early: on your positioning, your unique value, and the story you’re telling recruiters and hiring managers. I also share a real client story about a PM who landed an offer in just 29 days after starting to apply with their SPRINT resume - a direct result of tightening their job search strategy and positioning. If you're thinking about kicking off a job search, set yourself up for success right from the start. Your future self will thank you!Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

If you want a new product job but you’re already busy with a full-time role, this episode is for you. The idea of starting a job search can feel, well, overwhelming. Having a simple, structured plan can turn a chaotic, stop-and-start job search into consistent momentum that *actually* gets you an offer. Plus, you'll get to hear about Brendan: a SPRINT alum who was employed full-time during his job search, and landed a whopping 22% salary increase in just under 2 months from his first application to offer acceptance. The program not only secured him a new job, but it got him on a path to specializing in Growth PM roles.TL;DR: Clarity, focus, and realistic weekly milestones can help you make real progress in your job search even when your energy is tapped.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

If you’re about to kick off a job search and your first instinct is to update your resume, this episode is for you. Hear me when I say: starting with your resume is the trap that keeps so many smart and talented Product Managers stuck. In this episode, I walk you through why the resume comes later and what actually needs to happen first if you want real traction. I also share a real SPRINT client story that led to an offer in 42 days, with a 15% salary increase + a $17,000 starting bonus... all because they took the time to craft a thoughtful job search strategy. If you want your next job search to feel focused and intentional instead of chaotic, this episode is a must listen.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

You want a new job in the New Year? Cool. Then you need to kickoff your job search, like, yesterday. The PMs who will be landing job offers in January are already interviewing. In this episode, I share the top 3 reasons why November and December are the best time to kickoff your job search. Plus, I give you specific tactics that I use with clients on how to build the kind of momentum that gets you interviews (and offers) faster.I’ll also share a REAL client story that proves the market isn’t as bleak as your LinkedIn feed makes it look. If you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or tempted to wait to kickoff your job search, this is your nudge.Limited Time BONUS Offer 🎁🎁🎁Sign up and pay in full for SPRINT before Thanksgiving to unlock an extra 30 days of Job Search Support! (a $1,662 value)Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Product Delight is no longer optional - it's a key competitive advantage that has led to massive growth in revenue, retention, and referrals for so many of the products we know and love. If you assume delight is nothing more than confetti and sleek animations, think again, this episode will inspire you to infuse delight and emotional connection into your product starting today. In this episode, I sit down with Nesrine Changuel, author of the new book Product Delight, to discuss:Her career journey from research to Product ManagementLoneliness and the importance of community for PM'sHow Product Delight was the key to product success during her time at Skype, Google Meet and SpotifyThe Product Delight Model and how to start using it today (without permission!)The business case for delight (aka it's not optional anymore)The 3 types of delight: surface, low, and deepThe risks to avoid when building for delightThe difference between Product Delight and good UX practicesThe limitations of the Kano Model, specifically with "delighters"How to infuse Delight into must-have, high priority featuresHow leaders can create a Product Delight CulturePlus, tons of real-world examples of Product DelightGrab your copy of the book today at: www.productdelightbook.comConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Product portfolios? Career breaks? Resume length? Cover letters? Thank-you notes? I chatted with recruiters from Intuit, LinkedIn, eBay, Atlassian, and Cisco and asked them for their hot takes on your burning PM job search questions. Listen in to learn what Big Tech recruiters really care about when hiring Product Managers. Stick around to the end - I share my top 5 tips so you can take action on this advice right away!Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

In this episode I compare the Never Search Alone process, including job search councils, to the SPRINT Product Management Job Search Program so you can make an informed decision on which one is right for you. (Hint: SPRINT is probably a better fit if you're looking for your first, or next, PM role.)Key takeaways:SPRINT is designed specifically for the unique aspects of a Product Management job search. Job search councils are career agnostic.SPRINT is led by me, Jess Sherlock, an experienced Product Leader, Co-founder, and Product Coach with 10+ years of experience in the field. Job search councils are volunteer-led, often inconsistent, and may or may not include folks with product experience/expertise.SPRINT is proven to help PMs get faster and easier traction in their job search through proven templates, techniques and training that has worked for 125 PMs and counting. Job search councils do not include training and preparation for Product-specific interviews such as case interviews, product sense questions, and take home assignments. Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Meet Anand - He's a SHINE alum who successfully made the jump from Engineer to Sr. PM but felt like he needed a boost from a coach to deliver on his newly earned title. He's such a fun and smart guy, loved catching up to hear how things have been going in his career.We talk about: What it *really* took to shift to his first PM role (hint: 18 months and a boatload of persistence and  consistent self-advocacy!)How his early career experience as a highly technical engineer set him up for success in ProductThe challenges that stemmed from being a capable engineer now doing product workThe choice to get his Executive MBA and how it helped in the career shiftHow networking and cold outreach has been his secret weapon of career growthHow he managed to get a 70%+ hit rate on cold networking outreach to Product folks in his communityHis leadership of a local entrepreneurial networking group and how it's helping him stay sharp as a PMAnd more!Resources from this episode:Anand presenting Dish Hello - one of his FIRST initiatives as a Product Manager at DishHBR Strategy: When Your Business Needs a Second Growth EngineHBR: The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy (AKA Porter's 5 Forces)Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

I get it - not all Product job descriptions are created equal. It can be super tough to figure out which job is likely to accelerate your career  growth 🚀 and which job is setting you up for failure and burnout. 🫠In this episode, I run through the top 5 things I look for to spot a good PM job description so you can find the best of the best on your job hunt!Plus, I include a bonus tip most PM's never think of. 🎁Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Meet Amanda - She's a SHINE alum who felt lost in her Product career but found the courage to test out a stint as an entrepreneur, then take an unexpected (but perfect!) role once she got clear on her unique career vision. She's an absolute star and it was so fun to catch up and hear how her new job has been going. We talk about: How she transitioned into a Mental HealthTech start up (after being a teacher and then selling cowboy boots in rural Colorado 👢🤠)How working in Sales, Retail and e-Commerce was actually a perfect gateway to an Associate Product Manager roleWhat it was really like to navigate a squiggly career path and imposter syndromeThe real value of getting clear on her personal career visionLaunching her business - real talkThe ups and downs of her year as an entrepreneur and how it set her up for success in ProductThe move back to a stable, salary job in HealthTechHow she picked between two very different job opportunities - P and Product AnalystWhy prioritizing community was the unlock she didn't know she neededConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

You know you need to be more strategic to grow as a Product Manager, but not sure what that actually means in practice? You don't want to miss this episode. I cover the three most common mistakes I see PM's make that hold them back: Not staying updated on market and industry trendsFailing to think long-term and big-pictureLacking the ability to share big ideas with confidenceAs always, I provide actionable tips you can do TODAY to overcome these challenges.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

You have a vision for your product, so shouldn't you have one for your career? A clear, compelling, personal career vision helps you say yes to the right things so you can move closer to your definition of success, FASTER. In this episode, I share real stories about how a career vision helped me and one of my clients leverage opportunities that we otherwise might have missed. If you're feeling unmotivated, stuck, or burnt out in your current product management role, listen to this episode for actionable ideas to get movitated again.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Don't wait until you're job searching to capture accomplishments, work samples, and success metrics related to what you've been working on. Getting into a habit of documenting your successes can not only help you prepare you for a future job search, it can ALSO be an early signal if you're not growing in your PM career.Bonus: This episode includes a REAL example of a take-home assignment from a recent PM client job search so you can see whether you'd be ready to tackle one.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

In this episode, I show you a better way to get alignment quickly so you can make better decisions, faster. The 'Safe to Try' approach is one of my go-to techniques for decision-making and has been an immediate level up for so many of the Product Managers I have coached over the years. If you're feeling stuck on a project or can't quite figure out how to get alignment with your stakeholders, this is a must listen.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

LinkedIn will convince you that the job market for Product Managers is at an absolute standstill. Good news - that's not the full story.The current job market is tricky, yes, but there ARE techniques that are working for job searchers and I break them all down in this episode: The importance of having a clear job search strategyAvoiding the pitfalls of trial and errorThe value of personalized support during the job search processConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

A little prep and a dash of initiative goes a long way. In this episode, I share a story about a candidate who didn’t just say they were excited about the role I was hiring for - they showed it. They managed to get a demo account of my company's hard-to-access enterprise SaaS app and come to the interview with actual insight and questions. This person stood out in a way I’ve never forgotten. If you're navigating this challenging job market and looking for ways to stand out, this story will give you a clear, actionable takeaway: Don’t just tell them you want the job. Show them!Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

These five tips can be applied to every single interview you may encounter as a PM - the recruiter screen, the hiring manager interview, a panel interview, or even the case. I give this advice so often that I finally wanted to capture it in a podcast so you can apply it in your own job search. I talk about: Winning the easy stuffBeing authentically youShowing your math and thinking aloudReferencing frameworks, without coming across as rigidAnd how to create familiarity and be part of the team even as a candidateConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

There's no "perfect" set of skills for a Product Manager. By definition, product management is a generalist role and the most important skills you need at any given time will vary based on your product, your team, and your tech stack. Instead of trying to become an expert in every skill (which, c'mon, is cray cray!), I'll talk you through what I recommend instead. Spoiler - it's NOT to learn SQL.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Meet Yolanda - She's a SPRINT alum who leveraged the program to land her first official Product Manager title after nearly 10 years working in and around software teams. She's one of the kindest, most ambitious Product Managers I know and it was a joy to reconnect with her. 🫶If you're trying to transition into Product Management or you're on the job search for your next Product role, this is a must listen episode.We talk about:How she transitioned into the tech industry (from being an EMT! 🚑)How building automations at US Bank was a gateway to ProductNavigating a windy career path of Product-adjacent rolesHer job search by the numbers (160 applications -> 3 final rounds -> 1 offer)The importance of networking and LinkedIn in her job searchHighlights of the job search, interview process, and offer negotiationHer advice for job seekers in this marketThe ups and downs of starting a new jobSetting goals, staying accountable and building strong trust in a new roleConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Confused by all the different Product Manager titles? 😵‍💫Not sure which job titles to target in your job search? 😩Unclear on how to get a promotion to Sr. Product Manager or higher? 😰This episode is for you! 🫶I decode everything there is to know about growth in your product management career, regardless of job title!What is standard in product management job titles as of todayWhy titles are so often misused or inconsistent across companiesWhat to do if you think your title is inflated or inaccurateKey differences between individual contributor and manager rolesHow to evaluate your role and responsibilities to figure out your path to growth (using the 5 step process that I use with all of my clients!)Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Today we have a very special guest on the show! Blair Presley is joining us - she is the original creator of the SPRINT and SCALE programs. ICYMI: in October 2024, I officially acquired the SPRINT and SCALE programs as the absolute perfect compliments to my SHINE program for Product Managers.Many of you have been asking for the deets on how this all came to be, how Blair and I met, and what this means for the future of the SPRINT, SCALE and SHINE programs and my community for Product Managers.This episode will cover all that and more.Plus some laughs along the way. 🤣Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Stuck in your product management job search? I gotchu. 🫶 Here's my insider take on the current job market, including 5 ESSENTIAL tips to increase your chances of success. ✨ Plus, I've includes 4 bonus insights about hybrid roles and the evolving product interview process you'll only get here.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Think your journey into product management is unique? Join the club! 😜 Most of us (myself included) have had a unique path into Product. Hear about my journey and learn 3 MAJOR takeaways that will help you advance successfully on your own path in product management.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com

Let me guess… you got the certification, you took the course, maybe you even have the PM title – but you still feel stuck in your Product Management career? It’s not just you, I hear it from product folks literally every day. I’m Jess Sherlock and I’m a Product Management Career Coach.Over the last decade, I built and led product teams at a handful of early stage startups, co-founded an EdTech startup, taught classes on product management at General Assembly, and I co-created the Product Leader Certificate at Product School. So trust me when I say: success in Product takes more than just another certification.That’s why I created AFTER THE CERT—the podcast for product managers who want real, actionable advice for everyday product management challenges, not just another framework from an out of touch Silicon Valley Tech leader who doesn’t truly get the challenges we face every day.So, if you’re looking for ways to grow your product career that actually move the needle, and you want to hear stories from real product managers navigating the messy middle of their careers, this is the place for you.No certification required.Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock/Learn more about product coaching: www.jesssherlock.com