Ask Dave #003 — What do Hiring Managers Look for in a Junior PM?

The Key Skills, Behaviors, and Mindsets That Will Make You Stand Out in PM Interviews

Hey Friends! 👋

If you’re applying for a junior product manager role, you might be wondering:

🤔 What skills do hiring managers actually look for?

🤔 How do they evaluate candidates?

🤔 What separates an Associate Product Manager (APM) from a Product Manager (PM)?

I’ve hired a lot of junior PMs, and I can tell you — there are a few things every hiring manager checks for. If you’re serious about breaking into product, this is what you need to know.

Let’s break it down.

Every Company Wants a Different Type of PM… But These Skills Are Universal

Every company has different expectations for PMs. Some focus on technical depth, others on business strategy, and some care most about UX and customer insights.

But when hiring managers evaluate junior PMs, they tend to look for the same core skills: