How to Become an AI Product Manager with No Experience

In the current tech-driven landscape, the demand for AI Product Managers is skyrocketing, and so are their salaries. Compared to traditional Product Managers, AI PMs command significantly higher compensation. This disparity is due to the specialized skills and deep understanding of AI technologies required to develop and manage AI solutions. Companies recognize the complexity and potential of AI-driven solutions, which is why they are now investing heavily in talented individuals who can navigate the intricate challenges of AI implementation. 

With the advent of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Midjourney, it is becoming increasingly clear that AI has made a drastic impact on how we work. Venture capital investment into AI startups will exceed $10 billion in 2024, and companies are also investing heavily in talent that can harness the potential of AI. It is clear that AI is here to stay, and with its rise in popularity, it brings about a vast number of opportunities for those who wish to ride the AI wave.

One of the most exciting roles in this burgeoning field is an AI Product Manager. An AI Product Manager focuses on overseeing the development and management of AI-driven solutions. They help mold AI products to meet the needs of the market and maximize the value derived from the product by users. In this role, you can expect to collaborate with individuals that hail from a range of disciplines, such as data scientists, machine learning engineers, designers, and executives to manage the product lifecycle and ultimately deliver the best version of the product. 

Given the recent boom in the AI industry, AI Product Managers are in high demand. Corporations and startups alike are looking for talents and there is no better time than now to break into the field. Here is how you can equip yourself with the necessary skills and certifications to secure an offer as an AI Product Manager with zero experience. 

Familiarizing Yourself with the AI Landscape

The first step to do so is to understand the AI landscape. The field of AI is vast, with technologies such as Generative AI, LLMs, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and more. While you do not have to get technical and understand the intricacies behind each algorithm, you should understand the fundamental principles of how they work, which will help you in comprehending the capabilities and limits of AI. 

Following that, you should read up on the latest developments in the field of AI. You can subscribe to AI-focused newsletters and learn more about the types of AI projects that are being developed. An example of a great newsletter that you can start adding to your reading list is by DeepLearning.io. This will help you with gaining the intuition and vision for designing the right products for consumers.

Taking Relevant Courses

A great way to learn how you can execute your responsibilities effectively as an AI Product Manager is to take relevant courses. Identify reputable AI Product Manager Courses online and familiarize yourself with the content. Then, become a Certified AI Product Manager by obtaining recognized AI Product Management Certifications issued by renowned institutions. Examples include the IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certification and the AI Product Management Specialization Certification by Duke University. 

My company, PM Accelerator, also offers AI Product Manager Certification programmes which has helped a plethora of individuals with zero experience to break into companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon. Here are a list of AI Courses that I recommend if you want to start applying for and securing offers from FAANG companies and unicorn startups.

If you are currently a student, you can take courses that are related to AI and product management. These courses, whether online or at an educational institution, will not only allow you to experience the end-to-end product lifecycle  but also provide you with the opportunity to build your portfolio showcasing your talents. Alternatively, you can watch my video at the beginning of this blog on the four most effective ways that would allow you to land a job as an AI Product Manager without any experience.

Structuring Your Portfolio

After getting certified, it is time for you to build a strong and compelling portfolio. In your portfolio, you should describe the different AI projects that you have previously worked on. These projects can be those that you have completed in academic settings, or through internships that you have completed. Alternatively, you can work on personal side projects or collaborate with others to build relevant experience in the field of AI Product Management. Adding keywords in your resume will help you to stand out among the many applicants that are competing with you for the same role. I have curated a list of keywords that you must include in your resume that will help you to obtain interviews at the top AI companies.

You should use key AI Product Management tools in your projects to showcase your capacity to leverage the latest technologies to improve your workflow. For instance, Motion is an excellent AI productivity tool that can help you plan your projects, set up schedules, and prioritize tasks. To take advantage of AI, machine learning, and generative AI in analyzing your product, you can use tools like Amplitude AI, which uses machine learning to analyze the experience delivered by your product, which will help you with gaining actionable insights. 

Having a personal website or a GitHub page that describes your experiences would complement your resume and would provide interviewers with the opportunity to explore your projects further. This would help with your job applications significantly as interviewers now have something to interact with instead of just reading the words off your portfolio.

Winning the Hearts of AI Hiring Managers

I interviewed over 20 AI hiring managers and AI experts to understand how to win their hearts. These professionals included AI product managers and hiring managers at Google, Amazon, Meta, TikTok, and various unicorn startups, as well as AI UX designers at Microsoft, an AI Tech Lead at Nvidia, and data scientists at Instacart.

Their unanimous advice was clear. The best candidates are those who have experience in bringing products from 0 to 1, and understand the technical challenges of implementing AI solutions. Therefore, the most effective way to impress AI hiring managers is to work with a team of developers, data scientists, and designers to create and launch an AI product that achieves real user adoption.

While this may seem like a high bar, especially for those who do not know how to code, the rapid advancement of Large Language Models (LLMs) has made it easier than ever. Tools like ChatGPT-4o enable you to use low-code or no-code solutions to generate code and create products yourself.

At my PM Accelerator Bootcamp, my team and I have assembled a team of developers and data scientists who you can collaborate with on AI projects. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain the hands-on experience necessary to stand out to AI hiring managers. You can learn more about our program here.

Networking

 One of the most important and underrated skills in the tech industry is networking. Participate in AI and product management communities and attend relevant conferences. In these social settings, you will find many AI Product Managers who could share more about their experiences with their current company and may even be willing to refer you as a potential candidate for any relevant open positions. In addition, through these events, you will be able to learn more about the latest developments in the field which can help you with understanding what trends or skills you should devote your time to learning more about.

Applying for and Preparing for Interviews

Start applying as soon as you feel comfortable and send out as many applications to relevant AI Product Management roles as you can. The best way to increase your success rate of landing an interview is to create a killer product manager resume and learn how to pitch yourself effectively during networking events. You can also treat each interview as a learning experience, where you hone your interview skills and get a deeper understanding of what interviewers are looking for. Here is a list of common questions for AI Product Manager interviews that you should prepare for.

Be prepared to discuss your understanding on the latest developments and applications in the field of AI. You can also expect to share details about the projects that you have previously worked on, such as the challenges you faced and what your decision-making process looks like. You should also reach out to mentors or peers to set up mock interviews to practice and improve your interview skills. The feedback that you receive would then serve as valuable insights that you can use to enhance the way you pitch yourself to the hiring manager. 

Becoming an AI Product Manager will be challenging, but it is ultimately a rewarding journey. Through building a strong educational foundation, gaining practical experience, and continuously learning and networking, you will be in an excellent position to present yourself as a competitive candidate in this rapidly growing field. 

If you are interested in taking the next step towards breaking into this industry, I am currently offering a free Product Masterclass where I will show you how to create a product portfolio in just two weeks to land any PM job, even if you have just been laid off or have zero prior experience. I personally broke into the field within three months with zero experience and no coding background. In this video, I documented my experience with preparing for and securing numerous attractive offers from top AI firms. Using my experience, I have helped thousands of people break into the industry and secure high six-figure offers. If you would like to take the leap of faith, I would be more than happy to help you with your journey. Click here to sign up and learn more!