Leland+ for Product Management

What US Recruiters Look for in Early-Career Product Managers

​In this session, Leland coach Dessy K., who brings deep expertise from leadership in product roles at Amazon, Bukalapak, and TikTok, will guide you on what US recruiters are seeking in early-career product manager candidates. You’ll start with a clear primer on how the role of an early-career PM differs from seasoned PMs, and what makes newer professionals stand out during the hiring process. ​From there, Dessy will break down the top qualities that recruiters are watching for—traits like strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to execute with impact. We’ll dig into how to signal these in your resume and interviews, walk through examples of the strongest applicant profile, and share tailored advice on how to sharpen your story and shine—no matter where you're starting from.

GraphQL

This resource introduces GraphQL, explaining how it differs from REST APIs and how it enables more efficient, flexible data querying for modern products.

Refinement: Design Critiques

Covers how product managers and designers review and provide feedback on designs to improve usability and align with product goals.

How PMs Influence Without Authority

This resource explains how product managers can influence without authority, using persuasion, relationship-building, and clear communication to align stakeholders and drive product outcomes.

Land a Role as a Shopify APM - Applications Open Now

​The Shopify Apprentice Product Manager (APM) cohort for Winter 2026 is open now and this workshop is your live chance to give your application the edge. In this session, coach Rahim D. (Senior Product Manager at Atlassian, former Product Lead and Hiring Manager at Shopify) will break down everything you need to nail the Shopify APM application before it closes. ​You’ll get real-time strategies for crafting your story, acing the case interview, and highlighting the right experiences even if you’re early in your product journey. Applications close September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST, so this is time-sensitive—plus, you can book personalized 1:1 coaching with Rahim by visiting his profile to sharpen your resume, mock interviews, or application responses before you hit submit.

AMA with Former AI Product at Amazon and RBC

Curious about what it takes to break into AI product management—or how to grow your career in the rapidly evolving world of AI? In this AMA session, you’ll have the chance to hear directly from Avinash M., a Leland coach and former AI Product Lead at the Royal Bank of Canada. ​Avinash will share his journey leading AI initiatives at scale, what companies are really looking for in AI PMs, and how you can build the skills and experiences that set you apart. He’ll also take your questions on everything from landing interviews to navigating technical conversations as a PM. Whether you’re early in your career or looking to pivot into AI, this is your chance to learn from someone who’s been at the forefront of the field.

Crack the Behavioral Interview: Tell Stories that Win PM Offers

​Join expert coach Elana A. to learn how to transform everyday experiences into compelling narratives that captivate your audience and drive results. Whether you're preparing for an interview, pitching a product feature, or leading a cross-functional discussion, this workshop will equip you with the tools to craft stories that spark excitement, influence decisions, and leave a lasting impression. ​By the end, you'll have a structured approach to telling stories that not only showcase your skills and vision but also inspire action and engagement from stakeholders. The workshop aims to help people breaking into product have the tools to present their most authentic selves to recruiters and highlight the value they drive.

Becoming an AI Product Manager without a technical AI background

​Building a career as an AI Product Manager doesn’t require a formal background in AI—you just need the right mindset, strategic tools, and storytelling prowess. In this session, you’ll learn how product leaders transition into AI-focused roles by understanding what separates successful AI PMs from generalists: how to build cross-functional credibility, spot high-impact AI use cases, and weave strategy into technical conversations—even without a machine learning degree. ​Leading the session is Jiahong X., a Wharton MBA and current Meta product leader steering generative AI in advertising, with prior product roles at Google. Drawing from experience interviewing over 300 candidates and helping 50+ land roles at FAANG and beyond, Jiahong brings real-world frameworks, clarity on how to shift into AI PM roles, and actionable next steps—so you can strategically plan your path and begin making an impact in the AI space.

Landing FAANG PM Roles in 2025: Lessons from My Own Journey

​​​Breaking into product management at FAANG companies is one of the most competitive career moves out there—and the path isn’t always straightforward. In this session, you’ll hear directly from expert coach Jay L., who will share candid lessons from their own journey—what worked, what didn’t, and how they positioned themselves to stand out in a crowded applicant pool. ​Whether you’re just starting to explore product management or actively preparing for FAANG interviews, this session will give you a realistic look at the process and concrete steps to set yourself up for success in 2025 and beyond.

How to Land Your First Job in Product Management

​Breaking into product management can feel daunting, especially if you don’t come from a traditional PM background. In this session, expert coaches Vaibhav G. (Microsoft), Zen L. (AWS), and Britton O. (Uber) will walk you through the steps to land your first role—covering how to position your skills, build relevant experience, and navigate the recruiting process with confidence. ​You’ll learn what hiring managers look for in early-career PMs, how to tailor your resume and LinkedIn to highlight transferable strengths, and practical strategies for standing out in interviews. Whether you’re a student, career switcher, or just curious about PM, this session will equip you with actionable tips to kickstart your product management career.

APM Success Stories

​Associate Product Manager (APM) programs have become one of the most sought-after pathways into tech, offering early-career professionals a structured way to break into product management. But what does it really take to land one of these coveted roles—and succeed once you’re in? ​In this panel, you’ll hear directly from Alec S. and Jess C., coaches who have navigated the competitive APM recruiting process and built impactful careers in product management. Panelists will share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that helped them stand out in applications and interviews. ​Whether you’re just starting to explore PM careers or actively applying to APM programs this year, this session will give you practical insights and inspiration to chart your own path to success.

Building a Technical Skills for Non-Technical PMs

A practical guide for non-technical Product Managers to build technical fluency and lead confidently in tech-driven teams.

What Good Looks Like -PMs and Sr. PMs

A clear, practical look at the skills and habits that make great PMs and Sr PMs — straight from a product leader.

What Good Looks Like - Product Leadership

A clear, practical look at the skills and habits that make great Product Leaders — straight from a product leader.

AI, ML, and Agents - A Foundational Guide

A practical and beginner-friendly guide to understanding how modern AI systems work, from data and models to deployment and safety.

Find Your Superpower: Win in the Fast-Changing PM World

​The product management world is evolving faster than ever—and the best PMs know how to adapt, stand out, and lead with their unique strengths. In this workshop, Sunny S.—a Product Manager at Atlassian who has coached 100+ professionals into roles at top tech companies—will share how to identify and leverage your personal “superpower” to thrive in today’s competitive PM landscape. ​Drawing from years of experience in tech and product hiring, Sunny will walk you through how to position yourself for growth, sharpen your storytelling in interviews, and build a long-term career that plays to your strengths. Whether you’re breaking into product management or aiming to level up in your current role, this session will help you find your edge—and own it.

PM Recruiting - Top 5 Tips to Stand Out in the Process

Product management has become a highly sought after but competitive field to break into over the last several years. Karthik R. has been in Product for 15+ years now in Director+ roles across multiple Silicon valley companies. His current role is as Director of Product at Linkedin. He has interviewed, mentored and coached 100s of PMs as well as those aspiring to break into the field. Join him in understanding what it takes to break into Product, and walk away with a tangible strategy and roadmap to make it happen.

Example Product Management Resume

Resume in LaTeX that has been refined.