MBA or Not: What Startups Truly Value in Product Managers

As a recent graduate of an MBA program, I managed to land a product manager role at a tech company. However, I observed that not many startups, except perhaps those in the MBA admissions or recruiting space, place great emphasis on whether or not a candidate has an MBA. This raises an interesting question: what do startups actually look for in product managers?

Signals of Competitive Capability

Contrary to popular belief, an MBA from a prestigious institution is often seen as a signal that you were a high-performing candidate in your initial 1-2 years out of college. HR professionals reviewing resumes understand this context. However, there are other ways to convey the same message, such as:

Quick promotions within your previous roles Recruitment by high-profile companies Significant achievements in challenging projects

Ensure your resume highlights these accomplishments clearly, especially for non-subject matter experts screening applications.

Business Acumen and Product Management Skills

A competent product manager should have a holistic understanding of user experience, product development processes, and business models. An MBA might suggest some of these skills, but it’s not a prerequisite. If you’re a non-MBA product manager and you can think about business models effectively, demonstrate this in your interview and resume. The key is to show that you have excellent business acumen without needing an MBA to prove it.

The Candidate You're Looking For

Many hiring managers favor candidates who remind them of themselves, which means having a similar background or past experience can improve your chances. If you can find a hiring manager with an MBA from a similar work experience or school, they are more likely to view your MBA positively rather than perceive you as overly academic or detached from real-world experiences.

Job Description Clarity

Lastly, be wary of overly specific job descriptions that list particular requirements. While these are hints, they shouldn’t be taken literally. I have been considered for jobs where the description required more experience or a different degree than I had. This doesn’t mean I lied; I was straightforward about my qualifications. Always consider these descriptions more like guidelines rather than strict requirements.

Conclusion: Whether you have an MBA or not, what startups truly value in a product manager is a combination of business acumen, practical experience, and the ability to effectively manage the product development process. Suit your application to the specific role and company, and you will have a better chance of standing out.

— Assuming the field is tech and product management