The Identification and Comparison of the Requirements Placed on Product Managers during the Recruitment Process

Abstract

The submitted paper focuses on personality traits and behavioural competencies of a key role bearer in product oriented marketing management, generally referred to as product management. An interdisciplinary approach was applied while looking into this subject, since both research into theoretical bases and analysis of the current state of the topic and the tendencies of its development required work in several fields of study. Based on research in the field of secondary data, the assumption was set that a product manager is an example of a knowledge worker of the 21st century and that the business practice sees him/her as such, which has an effect on the requirements a candidate for this position is confronted with in the recruitment process. An independent research project was carried out and it confirmed that product managers are considered to be knowledge workers and that independence and analytical thinking skills were among the most common requirements for product managers both in 2007 and 2014. A comparison of results from 2007 and 2014 also showed some differences. The statistical verification confirmed a shift in requirements within the interpersonal competency group. The findings were used to formulate recommendations for the recruitment strategy and realization of selection for positions in product management.

Keywords

• knowledge worker
• personality traits
• product management
• product manager
• requirements
• recruitment strateg y
• skills