Solidly sitting on a fence between two opportunities.
Sorry for a bit of a long post, but I need some advice. I want to give all the details I can so hang in there with me please.
I am a SaaS product manager who was laid off from my company of 8+ years back in March. As part of my severance, I receive 60 days of preferential rehire status, but after those 60 days, I cannot work for them for a year (silly I know, but that's their rules). Needless to say, my 60 days expires on Tuesday May 9th.
A few options are on the table - kind of.
Option #1 is working for the sales team of my previous company, selling the product I used to manage. It would be more of a technical role, where yes I would need to sell, but more problem-solve for customers by introducing and implementing our product. The benefits at the company are pretty great as far as PTO, back up care, insurances, etc. I'm getting a written offer shortly. The salary is not quite where I wanted to be, but close.
Option #2 is with a company who isn't a direct competitor to my old company but close. The director of product really wants me in the company but they don't have a PM position open for me just yet, and no firm timeline on when there would be one. Just his word that he wants me in his SW PM team. His (verbal) offer is for slightly less salary than opt1 and is for a technical service and support role (that's how I started on my product at my old company). The path until a PM position opens would be support > team lead > process improvement team. I don't know the details of the benefits of the company just yet, but should be hearing soon.
Pretty much I have no idea what to do and not a lot of time to decide. Both options carry the same number of Pros and Cons. I am hesitant about option 2 as I don't have a written offer yet. Is it worth taking option 1 until a formal PM position opens with option 2 company, or is that bad form on my part? Help please ?
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Anonymous
Also being in software product management, take #1. You will find yourself becoming a better product manager and will still have the opportunity to pursue without risking being unemployed if you miss it. Also, you can say yes if the other role comes through- you will have greater leverage for pay should they want you!
Good luck!
Anonymous
Definitely option #1, for all the reasons you shared and more. Getting direct to the customer will harden your experience as a product manager - its probably the best way to get real customer feedback, user interface feedback and to really learn about why the product is doing well and/or not. Use the time to learn. Clearly your company views your experience there as valued and though your old role is gone (for now) moving into somethig else sthere is the better solution for now. You should express gratitude with the other company for their interest diplomatically with little other information. My suspicion is that they wanted to pick your brain as a "competitor" but not to put you into product and use you for getting info. If you stay in touch with them and they offer you a true product role then I would suggest cond