What to Look for in Your First Product Manager
The first product manager hired into a pre product-market fit startup needs to be a great communicator who can understand customers, discover solutions to customer problems and work relentlessly to find fit.
Product Management is Easier at Scale
When you have a great VP of Product, supported by experienced product managers who lead teams aligned to a single north star, strategy, or vision, life feels simpler. At scale, product management does bring certain efficiencies and alignment that early-stage companies can only dream of.
But for early-stage startups, especially those pre-PMF, the story is very different. Hiring your first PM is critical, challenging, and should align with the specific demands of reaching product-market fit.
If you’re working on hiring product managers, check out my posts on:
- How to hire a product manager in a tight labour market
- How to interview your startup’s first product manager
- What to look for in your first product manager
- What product managers want from their jobs
- What’s the right amount of ownership for startup PMs to have
You can also download my e-book all about hiring your first product manager.
Hiring into Early-Stage Startups
The first product management hire is often made before the startup has achieved product-market fit and sometimes even before a well-defined value proposition exists. In a pre-PMF environment, the priority is crystal clear: attaining product-market fit. This goal takes precedence over long-term strategy, detailed pricing structures, and growth initiatives.
Your First Product Manager: An Expert in Finding Product-Market Fit
The right PM at this stage will not only have skills but also the right mindset and adaptability. They need to help you reach PMF with an experimental, hands-on approach. If you’re a product-focused founder, this person should act as your sparring partner, pushing and refining ideas to uncover the best solution. If you’re not product-focused, they’ll take on more responsibility in driving towards PMF.
Therefore, your first product manager should ideally be experienced in:
- Customer Discovery: They must understand the customer’s needs and pains.
- Solution Discovery: They need to work collaboratively with design and engineering to find viable solutions.
- Experimentation for Fit: They should be well-versed in running experiments (landing pages, prototype testing, etc.) that help refine the product and uncover PMF.
Adding Vision and Flexibility as Key Criteria
While technical skills are vital, vision alignment and flexibility are equally essential for a first PM hire. Here are additional considerations that may not apply to later-stage PM hires but are crucial for early-stage success:
- Alignment with the Founder’s Vision: The PM should resonate with your vision for the product, not just the immediate tactical requirements. This alignment is essential to avoid friction and maintain continuity in the product’s direction.
- Adaptability to Changing Priorities: Pre-PMF startups pivot quickly, so the PM must be agile and comfortable with ambiguity. They should be open to rapid shifts based on what’s discovered in customer feedback and testing.
Key Questions Before Hiring a Product Manager
Here are some additional questions you might consider:
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How much time can you personally commit to the product?
Founders, especially those with a product background, often think they know exactly what to build. But realistically, how many hours a week can you give? As you move toward fundraising and team-building, will you be able to continue this level of involvement? -
Do you need a full-time PM, or could you consider other options?
If hiring a full-time PM with PMF experience is out of reach, you might explore hiring someone on a project basis or even a versatile candidate who could grow into the role. Alternatively, you could work with an advisor or coach who can lend PM expertise as needed, allowing you to remain hands-on without sacrificing product rigor. -
Is domain expertise truly essential?
While in rare cases domain expertise may be necessary, most startups benefit more from a PM with strong customer discovery and solution-finding skills, as well as the ability to drive experiments. Domain knowledge is helpful but can often be learned on the job, particularly if the PM is skilled in customer empathy and problem-solving.
Thinking About the Right PM for Your Budget
If budget constraints make it difficult to attract an experienced PM with PMF expertise, remember that hiring an underqualified PM can add unnecessary management complexity. Consider keeping product management with the founding team while investing in tools, consultants, or short-term engagements that help extend your runway and keep you focused on PMF.
