Prodcast: Career in tech, immigration and job search in the US

Hosted by Anna Naumova

Business Careers

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Prodcast is the channel dedicated to Product Management, Work in Technology, and Immigration in the US, hosted by Anna Naumova (ex Apple PM). Here I share inspiring stories of tech specialists from different parts of the world who've successfully immigrated to the US. I also provide valuable advice on how to create an effective resume, LinkedIn profile, job search strategies, and guidance on US visas for tech workers. I offer insights into American culture and how to adapt to it, as well as tips on how to kickstart your career in tech. Visit my website, https://annanaumova.com, for more info.

Listen to episodes

20 recent

June 26, 202658 min

Generalist Product Manager is disappearing and it is not your fault — here is what is replacing it

This episode is from a live session I did with the Women in Product USA community as a guest speaker, where we talked honestly about what is happening in the PM job market right now. The short version: tech unemployment is at 5.8% , the highest since the dot-com bust. The average PM job search now takes close to five months . And yet open PM roles are at a three-year high. Both things are true at the same time. The reason is that this is a selective recovery . The roles being created are concentrated in four specific areas: AI-adjacent product work, growth, senior and above, and deep domain specialization. The roles being cut are generalist. And what makes this cycle different from previous downturns is that generalist PM positions are not disappearing from one company at a time — they are disappearing from the entire industry simultaneously. AI is absorbing the work that used to justify those headcounts. In this session we cover: What AI-native PM actually means and how to prove it beyond listing tools on your resume How to position yourself if you want to switch industries while staying in product How to think about a gap on your resume What to do in the next 48 hours if your search feels stuck Why your resume is probably written for a job that no longer exists This is not a motivational talk. It is an honest conversation based on independent market data, not course platforms. If you are a PM currently in job search, re-entering the market, or trying to reposition your experience, this one is for you. Join WIP community here: https://womenpm.org ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile): https://annanaumova.com Timecodes 01:07 — The Reality of the 2026 PM Tech Job Market 02:58 — Average Time to Hire: How Long It Really Takes 03:40 — The Selective Recovery: 4 Dominant PM Niches 05:45 — What It Actually Means to Be an AI-Native PM 07:32 — Interview Evolution: Real-Time Coding and Prototypes 09:35 — No Recruiter Feedback? Audit Your Application Funnel 12:37 — How to Turn AI Routine Optimizations Into Resume Bullet Points 14:15 — Why Traditional Resumes Are Dead: Build a Mini Portfolio 16:09 — Synchronizing Your Resume With LinkedIn: Top Mistakes to Avoid 22:21 — Mid-Level vs Senior PM: Defining the Real Differences 34:31 — Stop Asking for Coffee Chats: High-Value Networking 41:48 — Interview Assignments: Turn Free Work Into Portfolio Assets 54:55 — Explaining Employment Gaps: The 6-Month Rule

May 18, 202633 min

US Job Market in 2026: What a Top American Recruiter Sees That Candidates Don't. John Benjamin II

In this episode, the guest is John Benjamin II, founder and CEO of Sociable Society, a U.S.-based talent agency that represents job seekers in a “sports agent” style model. With more than 12 years in recruiting, John has helped companies hire and candidates land opportunities by negotiating compensation, improving positioning, and opening access to roles that never make it to public job boards. We discussed why so many applicants submit hundreds of resumes and still never hear back, how ATS systems actually filter candidates, and why internal recruiters and third-party recruiters often work very differently. John explained why relationship-building with recruiting agencies matters more in 2026, how off-market hiring works, and why some candidates get interviews while others are filtered out immediately. We also talked about the return-to-office trend, growing competition caused by relocation into major U.S. cities, and how hiring managers evaluate career growth potential. Separately, we broke down the biggest resume mistakes: unexplained employment gaps, job hopping, overly long resumes, weak executive summaries, and poor LinkedIn profiles. John also shared practical advice on cold outreach to recruiters, AI-generated resumes, interview communication, salary discussions, and the importance of intentionally positioning yourself in today’s job market. John Benjamin II - Founder & CEO of Sociable Society - the talent agency in the US, Charlotte, NC. He's spent over 12 years helping businesses hire and helping candidates land jobs. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbenjamin-ii-b6865028 *** ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (English language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ZzcWPWEdxjGRzFdyUY29 ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (Russian language) https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresume ➡️ Guide "How to Design a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Can't Ignore" (Russian language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ObfVCQ2clIWTdNcQBAkf ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:00 - Why your resume never gets seen by recruiters 00:40 - Meet a US hiring and recruitment expert 01:16 - Using the sports agent model for job hunting 04:24 - Why traditional recruitment is broken 05:30 - State of the job market in 2026 08:05 - Why companies force return-to-office 10:52 - Debunking applicant tracking system myths 13:17 - In-house vs. agency recruiters explained 19:33 - The real reason recruiters skip your resume 29:40 - How to land entry-level job roles 40:46 - Should you put a photo on your resume? 42:19 - Overcoming ageism during the job hunt 53:15 - Leveraging AI to build your resume 58:05 - How to fix critical interview mistakes 01:04:32 - Syncing your LinkedIn profile and resume 01:10:00 - Mastering reverse recruiting tactics 01:15:00 - The #1 advice for modern job seekers 01:16:15 - How to ask for the job at an interview

October 24, 20251 hr 10 min

Inside the ATS: Myths, Mistakes, and What Recruiters Really See. Nkem Nwankwo, Greenhouse

My guest in this episode is Nkem Nwankwo, Senior Director of Product Management at Greenhouse. We broke down how applicant tracking systems (ATS) actually work, why they don’t automatically reject candidates, and which common myths keep job seekers stuck.We talked about how Greenhouse is reshaping the hiring experience and why the team built My Greenhouse — a new portal where candidates can manage their profiles and job searches in one place. Nkem explained the difference between Boolean and AI-powered semantic search, why keyword stuffing no longer works, and how AI can actually help strong candidates get noticed. He also shared actionable advice for escaping the “black hole” of applications: apply early, build relationships with recruiters, and lean on referrals — still the most reliable way to get to the top of the list.Nkem Nwankwo — Senior Director of Product Management at Greenhouse.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemnwan/ ***➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (English language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ZzcWPWEdxjGRzFdyUY29➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (Russian language) https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresume➡️ Guide "How to Design a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Can't Ignore" (Russian language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ObfVCQ2clIWTdNcQBAkf

October 14, 202426 min

From Dropout to Tech Pioneer: Alex Russell on Chrome, Edge, and the Future of Software Engineering

In this episode, we host Alex Russell, a Product Manager at Microsoft Edge and former Google Chrome team member for over a decade. Alex is also known for creating Dojo, an early revolutionary cross-browser JavaScript framework. The conversation covers Alex's unconventional career path, from dropping out of college to becoming a key figure in web development. We discuss his experiences working on open-source projects, joining Google, and transitioning to Microsoft. Alex shares insights on the future of software engineering in the age of AI, emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment and problem-solving skills. The discussion also touches on the challenges of modern web development, the value of understanding systems at multiple levels, and the evolving role of software engineers beyond just writing code. Throughout the episode, Alex highlights the significance of collaboration, effective communication, and focusing on solving real-world problems in the field of software development. Alex Russell, Product Manager at Microsoft Edge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrussell/ *** ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (English language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ZzcWPWEdxjGRzFdyUY29 ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (Russian language) https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresume ➡️ Guide "How to Design a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Can't Ignore" (Russian language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ObfVCQ2clIWTdNcQBAkf ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 0:00 Beginning 1:45 How Alex made career choice 4:06 How Alex went to college 9:30 Alex's path to Google 16:01 Will we ever be replaced by AI? 21:19 Why is Opensource important 23:51 Engineering skills and their impact on the PM role

July 14, 20241 hr 29 min

Career growth from Individual Contributor to Manager. Tatyana Sanikovich, HR Advisor

In this episode with Tatyana Sanikovich, HR Advisor & Leadership Coach, we discussed the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager in the US, including the skills required for this transition. We emphasized the importance of leadership qualities, such as inspiring and motivating others, and essential skills like problem-solving, decision-making, and communication. We also discussed various strategies for career advancement, including pursuing leadership roles, networking, and personalizing job applications. Tatyana Sanikovich, an HR Advisor & Leadership Coach with over 15 years of HR and Leadership experience in the US market. She is a creator of the group coaching course: Confidence Catalyst for Leaders. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/BfjDt8jyJYA LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatyana-sanikovich-b282b11b/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/sanikovichtatyana Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/igNk5n Confidence Catalyst for Leaders - https://mailchi.mp/c3916a2e4e0d/confidence-catalyst-for-leaders How to be a good Leader in the US. TOP mistakes immigrants do. Essential skills. Tatyana Sanikovich - https://youtu.be/Uv0B6Ah66Bc Podcasts, mentioned in the video: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-from-the-top-with-guy-raz/id1460154838 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorked-the-podcast/id1332517935 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-bit-of-optimism/id1515385282 *** ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (English language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ZzcWPWEdxjGRzFdyUY29 ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (Russian language) https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresume ➡️ Guide "How to Design a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Can't Ignore" (Russian language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ObfVCQ2clIWTdNcQBAkf

April 25, 20241 hr 26 min

Shocking reasons why recruiters are ignoring your applications in 2024. Interview with Senior Talent Director David Kimball.

In this insightful video, David Kimball, a Senior Talent Director at Candidate Labs (hires for such well know companies like Notion), shares his experience and valuable advice for job seekers in the tech industry. He discusses the current job market situation, the importance of networking, and how to stand out as a candidate. David emphasizes the significance of having a clear and compelling story on your LinkedIn profile and resume, applying strategically to a select number of companies, and being honest about your experiences during interviews. He also touches upon the challenges faced by candidates without work authorization and visas, and offers tips on how to effectively communicate with recruiters. This video is a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their job search strategy and increase their chances of landing their desired role in the tech industry. David Kimball, Senior Talent Director at Candidate Labs, recruiting firm that matches technical talents with Top-tier startups. Watch video https://youtu.be/mhc0BmGCIAQ ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com

March 21, 202436 min

How to launch a podcast and find your audience: My tips and strategies for Arjun Sundararajan

In this interview, I share my journey of starting and growing a podcast. I discuss how I organically transitioned from writing an article about job searching in the US to launching a podcast, experimenting with topics, formats, and platforms to find my niche. I emphasize the importance of consistency, patience, and passion when creating a show, as well as the value of networking and audience feedback. I also offer some practical tips for aspiring creators, such as researching competitors, identifying a unique value proposition, and leveraging cross-promotion across various media channels. Watch the video https://youtu.be/Rg4b9qUeaUo Behind the mic show https://behind-the-mic.zync.ai/3af5TBtm/episode

March 18, 202443 min

Transition into Product Management with NO experience: My interview by Rufeda Ali

In this interview by Rufeda Ali, I shared my journey transitioning from marketing to product management and provides valuable advice for aspiring PMs. We've discussed the importance of developing a product mindset, building skills through side projects, and showcasing achievements in resumes and LinkedIn profiles. We've also emphasized the significance of networking, persistence, and inner motivation in the face of a challenging job market. Throughout the conversation, I offered practical tips and strategies for breaking into product management and succeeding in this rewarding but demanding field. Watch the video https://youtu.be/4tifbsLrMKk Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com

January 25, 202458 min

How to become a Business Analyst with a 6-figure salary? Interview with Eno Eka

📊 How to Become a Business Analyst with a Six-Figure Salary? 💵 I had a great conversation with Eno Eka, a business analysis expert and the founder of the Business Analysis School in Canada, discussing how to build a successful career in this field. Here are the key insights from our discussion: ▫️ A business analyst identifies the company's needs and potential solutions, recommends the optimal option, and oversees its implementation. ▫️ The key difference from a project manager is that a business analyst starts working even before the project launches and continues to assess the results after its completion. ▫️ Business analysts are in demand in areas such as finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry. Today, there are over 800 varieties of business analyst roles, depending on the industry and technologies. ▫️ The demand for business analysts is projected to grow by 25% by 2030, and in the field of AI and data analysis, it's expected to increase by 41%. ▫️ This profession is ideal for those who enjoy communication, can persuade people, and find unconventional solutions to problems. Business acumen and knowledge of tools like Excel, SQL, and Jira are essential for success. ▫️ Even without experience, you can land entry-level business analyst roles, but for a salary exceeding $100K, a minimum of 5 years of experience is typically required. ▫️ Additional training and IIBA certifications enhance employment prospects and salary negotiation. In your resume, it's crucial to focus on achievements in projects and provide specific figures related to efficiency improvement, revenue increase, etc. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3GQivwUdPM

December 8, 20231 hr 29 min

Why did you fail PM interviews? Former Atlassian Product Manager about PM interviews in 2024. Bosky Mukherjee.

In this interview, I speak with Bosky Mukherjee about the common reasons candidates fail product management interviews and strategies we can use to increase our chances of getting hired. We discuss the important PM skills like full-stack thinking, storytelling, data analysis, and influencing stakeholders that hiring managers look for. Bosky provides specific advice to help PM job seekers avoid mistakes like applying to too many roles, relying too heavily on PM frameworks in interviews, and using generic resumes. She stresses the value of developing relationships with your interviewers, deeply researching company needs like a detective, and strategically planning both your transition into and eventually out of product management. The video concludes with our predictions that AI will augment PM strategic capabilities while interpersonal skills become even more vital for success. ◽️ Bosky Mukherjee, Founder of PMDojo where she leads the Product Accelerator and coaching programs, ex-PM at Atlassian, Product Leader, Startup Advisor and Speaker. Watch video https://youtu.be/tlLqlUwAs6c ➡️ Schedule a career session (create a perfect ATS friendly resume or advanced LinkedIn profile) https://annanaumova.com ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (English language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ZzcWPWEdxjGRzFdyUY29 ➡️ Guide "Your perfect resume" (Russian language) https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresume ➡️ Guide "How to Design a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Can't Ignore" (Russian language) (Pre-order) https://link.coursecreator360.com/widget/form/ObfVCQ2clIWTdNcQBAkf