Evidence Review Help - Product Manager (Exceptional Promise)

Stage 1
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Please I need all the feedbacks I can get. Thanks as you help.

Summary of Evidences

LoR
All recommenders have known me and my work for more than a year although I didn’t work with them for a complete year

  1. CEO and Founder of Company A that I worked with on a part time
  2. Mentor and Head of Learning of Non-Profit B, where I taught and contributed to the growth of the non-profit org
  3. CEO and Co-founder of Company C (Based in UK) that I worked with on a Part time

MC

  1. Evidence showing the product optimization process that I did for a product led financing company D (Dashboard showing sign ups, and revenue before and after optimization, table showing the comparison and percentage increase in revenue, signups and financed amount and Link to Miro design that guided the design and development)
  2. Reference letter from the CEO of company D
  3. Evidence of leading the growth of a of a non-profit organisation (Taught at Org B mentioned above, evidence of developing curriculum, link to session videos, feedback data, Link to impact post by attendees and appreciation flyer by the org
  4. High salary (Last 3 months Payslips, Contract and screenshots of comparison using platforms)

OC2

1.Evidence of mentorship at non-profit org E consistently for a year, cohort 2-4 (Invitation email for cohort 2, link to mentee impact post, Invite for cohort 3, session screenshot of cohort 3, link to Cohort 4 mentees impact posts and screenshots, Flyer for a workshop with mentees

2.Reference letter from the founder of the non-profit org E

3.Evidence of Advisory ( Invitation email and slide deck link for and flyer for talk AT non-profit org 1, Link to Appreciation post , Appreciation email, banner and deck used at non-profit org 2, Invitation and appreciation email, flyer, deck used at non-profit org 3)

4.I also have evidence to show for participating in a large industry event, managed the content management system and trained front desk registration guys (Not sure if I can use it to replace any of the other evidences or I should just remove it)

OC3

  1. Evidence of leading a high-impact digital product X (Screenshot of folder showing my name against docs I prepared, screenshot of wireframe and link to wireframe that guided design and development, screenshot of providing clarity to designer and developer, Screenshot of the CEO asking me for progress update, Impact on revenue, adoption by a big client)

  2. Evidence of leading a high-impact digital product Y (Screenshot of folder showing my name and containing docs I prepared, screenshot of wireframe and link to wireframe that guided design and development, screenshot of my chat providing clarity to the designer and developer, Screenshot of the CEO asking me for progress update, impact on revenue, adoption by a big client)

  3. Reference letter from the former CEO backing up my evidence

@pahuja @Akash_Joshi @May @Raphael @Francisca_Chiedu

Thanks.

2

@Francisca_Chiedu @Raphael @Akash_Joshi @May @pahuja. For your attention please. Thanks.

3

I’ve reviewed similar product manager applications, and the main challenge is demonstrating individual impact with third-party validation rather than just internal company evidence.

For your Mandatory Criteria, the product optimization work at Company D is promising, but you’ll need stronger external recognition beyond the CEO letter. Consider getting coverage in industry publications about your impact, or speaking at recognized product management conferences about your optimization results. I’ve seen successful applications where candidates published case studies on platforms like Product Hunt or got featured in fintech newsletters - this type of third-party recognition carries more weight than internal letters alone.

Your OC2 mentorship evidence is solid, especially the consistent year-long engagement across multiple cohorts. However, make sure your non-profit organizations have clear selection criteria and are recognized in the tech community - I’ve seen rejections where mentorship programs weren’t considered structured enough. For OC3, focus on one really strong piece of evidence rather than multiple weaker ones. Your product leadership work needs to show clear individual contribution separate from team efforts, with measurable impact documented through screenshots, dashboards, and ideally external press coverage.

The key is combining your self-documentation with strong third-party evidence and reference letters from people outside your direct employment chain. I’ve worked with product managers who strengthened their applications by getting advisory board positions or speaking at industry events before reapplying. Your foundation is strong - with some strategic additions for external validation, you’ll have a much stronger case for approval.

2 Likes
4

Thank you so much @Akash_Joshi. I have noted these feedbacks.

@pahuja @Raphael @Francisca_Chiedu @May Is there anything you may want to add please?

5

Hi @Oduola_Afees

You have some promising piece, however here is my sincere feedback to help you better your best.

Mentors are not suitable for recommendation when it comes to TN application. It should be someone you worked with or for on a professional ground, so you may stick with “Head of Learning of Non-Profit B”. Also make sure, that he/she is reputable either in the business or technical side of the tech sector.

MC
Screenshoot of dashboards, interfaces are usually termed as self authored, if there is no enough external evidence to validate the claim, revenue before and after optimization is a good one, but is it from an audited statement of account? Then the reference letter can support this, the person writing it should mention exceptional things you did not just the things that are within the job description of a product manager. The result, and should recognize and mention the quantifiable value it brought to the business.

For evidence of leading the growth of a of a non-profit organisation, those things you listed are okay, but the won’t clearly show how you lead the growth, a reference letter can be used to support this, however using to many reference letters weaken your overall application narrative

High salary is okay, but you need to show and relate it to the national scale of your discipline in your country and then convert the amount to $ or £

Going by recent feedback, your MC is not too strong and I will suggest you work on it.

OCs

Evidence of mentorship at non-profit org E consistently for a year is okay, but you need to show that it is structured and beyond the letters, show the criteria for selection.

Evidence of advisory, what did you advise them on? Is it Tech related

“I also have evidence to show for participating in a large industry event” This could show what you did to contribute to the sector outside your day to day work, but your activities there are either not related to product management nor have little or nothing to do with your discipline, this will weaken your narrative.

Screenshot of folder showing my name against docs I prepared

  • For two evidence set in a criterion, this will just suggest these are self authored, as you have rightly said “I prepared” - So, you want to get external evidence to show how you did all of these, reference letter can be added to this, but remember you have 2+ reference letters already, this will weaken your application narrative.

You are on the right path but you still have some work to do.

All the best.

2 Likes
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Thanks for your feedback.

7

Hi @Oduola_Afees

To strengthen your MC evidence, a letter from the CEO (or an equivalent senior executive) is essential. It should:

  • Validate your specific contributions and measurable impact on the organization.
  • Explain how those contributions were recognized within the digital‑tech industry.

Purely internal documentation is insufficient. Please clarify:

  • How the NGO’s growth relates to the digital‑technology sector.
  • Any industry‑level recognition received.

At a minimum, obtain a letter from the program director confirming industry recognition of your digital‑tech contribution.

OC2:
Ensure the letter and supporting documents include:

  • Program structure and details of mentee selection.
  • Quantified impact of your mentorship.

An invitation to speak at the NGO is not considered strong evidence. Instead, highlight participation in a major industry event and secure a validation letter, supplemented by additional third‑party proofs.

OC3:
Screenshots of folders or update emails are weak. Prefer wireframes, architecture diagrams, or similar artifacts. Demonstrate quantified impact on core company metrics and include a reference letter confirming your significant, not merely routine, contributions.

Overall, your outline contains many self‑claims. Strengthening it with robust third‑party validation is crucial.

1 Like
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Thank you @pahuja. I will definitely work more on getting external validations.

I appreciate all the feedbacks.

1 Like
9

The letter from the nonprofit, is this a digital technology organisation? I think your mandatory criteria need evidence to demonstrate your recognition in the sector that are outside your immediate work. Do you have evidence of speaking at tech events? Media recognition? Reference letters and work related contributions are not sufficient.

Also you need to be careful regarding mentioning your worked part-time in a company as an assessor may assume it was a contract role. Did you work there for more than 12 months ?

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You need to be mindful admitting on a public forum that your evidence or letter do not meet the guide. No need for TMI.

1 Like
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Hi @Raphael @Francisca_Chiedu @pahuja @pahuja, I am struggling to understand how I can better show my 3 months’ payslips without necessarily using any link. My 3-page salary document will only allow for a single page (a month) of my payslip. Would that suffice?

Thanks.

13

@Oduola_Afees The first thing you need to understand is that salary evidence on its own is not sufficient. Your overall narrative must clearly demonstrate how you have significantly advanced the sector outside your paid job. You don’t need to upload a 3 page salary document, the first image can simply show the key details such as your name, company, and relevant information and the salary info, while the other two months can be screenshots of the base salaries.

But then again, showing the same salary amount, in the same company is not strategic, you can show for 3 different jobs instead. Like company A, B and C you earned and still earning high is more strategic than company A - £50K, March April and May.

All the best.

1 Like
14

Thanks for your response; this is duly appreciated. While I understand the above, “the other two months” are where my concern is. I wouldn’t be able to show that in my evidence set, considering that I am also showing my contracts for other companies I have worked with.

And please, I have seen rejections based on the fact that a recommender hasn’t worked directly with the applicant even though they know about the applicant’s work. Is it safe to say that I must have worked with my recommenders for over 12 months?

Thanks.

15

Showing a contract is strategic, however most of the details in contracts, such as employment conditions, duties and responsibilities, and contract terms are not necessary for the evidence context. You may simply want to show only the pay details, because of space, but remember that history of earnings is also important.

Yes, it is advisable that the authors of the letters should know the applicant through a direct work relationship. This could be at the workplace, on a project, or through some work you did for or with them. Just an Implied knowledge of you may be dismissed.

All the best.

16

Thank you for the clarifications and for your time, as always.

17

You are welcome.

All the best with your application.

1 Like
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@Raphael @Akash_Joshi @Francisca_Chiedu @pahuja

Help once again please, this is what I have come up with. Based on all I have read, my OC3 appears more self authored, kindly advise on how I can make things better

Recommendation Letters

  1. CEO, Non-profit Digital Technology Training Organisation (20+ years’ experience, 2× Digital Technology Excellence Award winner)
  2. CEO, Company A (10+ years building digital products for global clients)
  3. CTO, Company C (Senior Software Engineer at GitHub, 7+ years’ experience)

Mandatory Criteria

MC1 – National Recognition (Award Finalist)

Narrative
Explains the credibility of the award through its sponsors, judging process, selection criteria, industry recognition, and why I was shortlisted as a finalist.

Evidence

  • Award selection criteria (with website link)
  • Emails confirming assessment and finalist selection
  • Email showing nomination basis
  • Public finalist announcement flyer (with source link)

MC2 – High Salary

Narrative
Shows salary progression across two product-led companies and demonstrates market recognition. Also explains contributions beyond employment through mentorship, teaching, and judging.

Evidence

  • Employment contracts showing salary progression
  • Current payslip (+ link to additional payslips)
  • Glassdoor and Payscale salary benchmarks showing my remuneration is ~60% above peers in Nigeria

MC3 – Judging the Work of Others

Narrative
Explains my role as a capstone judge for an international Product Management fellowship spanning over 70 African countries, including why I was selected and my assessment responsibilities.

Evidence

  • Judge invitation email
  • Judge handbook and assessment framework
  • Evaluation form
  • Screenshot of judging session
  • Appreciation letter

Optional Criteria 2 – Recognition Beyond Occupation

OC2.1 – Teaching

Narrative
Volunteer Product Management facilitator at a non-profit digital technology organisation across two cohorts, demonstrating continued recognition through re-invitation based on participant feedback.

Evidence

  • Invitation emails
  • Session recordings and presentation slides
  • Learner feedback and impact data
  • Public recognition flyers

OC2.2 – Mentorship

Narrative
Demonstrates structured mentorship across two recognised programmes since 2024, including mentor selection process, multiple cohorts, re-invitations, and impact on mentees.

Evidence

  • Mentorship recognition flyer
  • Recognition emails
  • Mentor selection and mentee assignment emails
  • Re-invitation for subsequent cohort

OC2.3 – Supporting Reference

Reference letter from the CEO of Mentorship Programme A validating my long-term mentorship contributions and impact.

Optional Criteria 3 – Commercial Contribution

OC3.1 – Company C (B2C Product-led Company)

Narrative
Explains my personal contribution to product optimisation using the SMART framework, resulting in measurable commercial growth.

Evidence

  • KPI comparison (sign-ups, financed amount, operations income, marginal income)
  • Before-and-after product screenshots
  • Miro user flow I designed
  • Analytics dashboard showing business impact

OC3.2 – Supporting Reference

Reference letter from the CEO of Company C confirming my commercial contribution and impact.

OC3.3 – Company B (B2B Product-led Company)

Narrative
Explains my role in designing and delivering digital products that generated commercial revenue for the company.

Evidence

  • Product wireframes
  • User manual
  • Client implementation/customisation screenshots
  • Revenue breakdown for products delivered

OC3.4 – Supporting Reference

Reference letter from the CEO of Company B confirming my commercial contribution and business impact.

19

@Raphael @Akash_Joshi @Francisca_Chiedu @pahuja, kindly help review my evidence set.

20

Salary evidence carry little or weight. If you insist on using them. You can use landscape layout and put two payslips in each page for each company. In any case, it is a weak evidence.

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Thank you @Francisca_Chiedu, I will consider your feedback.

Do you have any comments regarding the other evidences please?