👀 Salesforce Associate Product Manager: Application to Offer – iykyk

Brown, Shark Tank, & Product Management

Hi there 👋 — Who are you and what’s your background?

Hi, I'm Ifechi Ilozor! I studied Computer Science and Applied Math at Brown, and now I'm at Salesforce in the full-time Associate Product Manager program. In the past, I interned twice at Salesforce, first as a SWE Intern and then as an APM Intern.

My journey into PM started with “Shark Tank” and my childhood idol Kevin O’Leary. I thought my career path would be investment banking → private equity → venture capital → boom, Mrs. Wonderful. Fittingly, I applied to college as an Econ major. It was only after I learned more about the roles within those fields that I realized while I still liked the business side of things and interacting with people, the IB to Mrs. Wonderful pipeline probably wasn’t for me. After switching to CS, I discovered Product Management, which I felt was the perfect combination of my former “Shark Tank” aspirations and my newfound passion for technology. And that’s the condensed version of how I got into PM!

Program Structure

For those who are unfamiliar, how is the program structured and run?

It's a two-year rotational program with three eight-month-long rotations. 

For your first rotation, you’re placed onto a team based on what the APM Leadership Team knows about your background and previous experiences, and in your next two rotations, your preferences are more heavily taken into account. 

Finding Community

Is there anything the program landing page doesn't tell us about the program?

The Salesforce APM community has been a huge positive for me. I think for a lot of people including myself, starting a new life in a new city as a new grad is very scary, but the support system within the APM program has been amazing. The transition to new grad life was much easier and more fun than I would have ever expected. I feel I’ve gained lifelong friends, mentors and advocates.

Interview Structure

What did your interview structure look like and what will it look like for this year?

While I didn’t have to interview for the APM full-time role since I took my return offer from the internship, here’s a breakdown of my intern interview process:

1. Phone Screen: general 15-minute resume walkthrough and temperature check — at the time, we also had a coding screen, but that’s no longer a requirement.

2. First Round Interview: mix of behavioral and product questions.

3. Super Day: three back-to-back interviews consisting of design, product, and analytical interviews.

Keep in mind that this is my experience and the process has changed a bit for current prospective interns!

Resumes, Experiences, and Referrals

What do you think made you stand out as an applicant and what recruitment strategies would you recommend to others?

Honestly, I obsessed over my resume, making sure each piece demonstrated clear impact since I didn’t have any prior PM roles. I was able to “sell” myself as a PM because I showcased my impact and relevant skills in adjacent experiences.

Keep in mind that you don’t need a bunch of PM experiences on your resume for an entry-level role like an APM program. There are plenty of other things that can demonstrate your capability as a PM; it’s all about how you “sell” it, i.e., showcasing impact.

For the interview, I always kept a level of positive and upbeat energy, which is true to how I generally am and I believe helps to make a good impression.

Finally, I’d recommend getting a referral, although make sure it’s a strong referral. There’s a big difference between asking random people on LinkedIn and having someone champion you.

Salary Range

What is the average starting salary for program participants?

For full-time, it’s around $140k along with an RSU package. In terms of progression, there's a yearly increase for inflation and you can get raises without getting a promotion based on your and the company’s performance.

Future Plans

What’s your next play after graduating from this program? Has this program impacted your 5-10 year career plan?

While I’m not entirely sure, staying at Salesforce is the most likely option for me. I've really enjoyed my time here so far, and I hope to continue learning here for the next few years!