Breaking Into Product: Internal Mobility vs. Switching Companies
Host: Eyal David · Guest: Moti Peretz
In this episode
- The path with the highest chance of success in breaking into product is to make the change within the company you already work at — the company also has a strong interest in you succeeding.
- Internal mobility into a product role requires patience and perseverance — it doesn't always happen quickly.
- When you can't move internally (for example, a role that would only open up in another 4–5 years), it's better to look for a new company and declare your aspiration up front.
- As early as the first interview, you should put on the table that you want to be in product; some companies won't like it — but some will see it as high motivation and give you a chance.
- You need to know how to 'read the room' and the atmosphere to understand when and how to declare your aspiration.
Listen to this episode
Episode Description
Moti Peretz talks about the X factor needed to break into a product manager role. He describes two paths — internal mobility within the company versus moving to a new company — and the insight that, as early as the first interview, you need to put on the table that you want to be in product. A short, bottom-line episode from Product Builder.
Full transcript with speakers and timestamps
Selected quotes
“Without a doubt, the best way — and also the best chance to succeed — is to make the change within the company, because the company also has a very high interest in you succeeding.”
“Say that it was on the table that you want to be in product — that's exactly what I did.”
“Say it in the first interview — it needs to be on the table. Some companies won't like it, but some will say: wow, here's someone with really high motivation.”
Questions & answers
What's the best way to break into a product role?
According to Moti, the path with the best chance of success is to make the change within the company you already work at, because the company also has a strong interest in you succeeding.
What do you do when you can't move into product within your current company?
Moti recounts that this is what happened to him at Impro — the role was too far off (4–5 years), so he started looking for a new company and declared up front that he wanted to be in product.
Should you say in the interview itself that you want to be in product?
Yes. Moti argues it should be on the table from the first interview. Some companies won't like it, but some will recognize high motivation and give you a chance.
How long does internal mobility into product take?
Moti emphasizes that it requires patience and perseverance — it's possible but not necessarily quick.
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