FAANG Product manager in Operations , sharing profile and timelines here if it helps;
5 Years of Experience (Applied as Promise)
Little Coding experience but more business impact, helping expansion efforts in UK and Europe. Dashboard products for business intelligence e.t.c
Speaking engagements and Media Features
Top Graduate Schoool-Oxbridge
First Application: 05/02/2024
1st Edit: 09/02/2024
Outcome: Rejected - 26/02/2024
Appeal: Rejected - 11/03/2024
MC2 - Contributed to Business Expansion/Growth- Didn’t meet criteria//failed
OC2/OC3 - All failed
Lesson learned:
Read guidance thoroughly: Didn’t understand page limits and used less than I was allocated , thus squeezing so much on each page. Feedback was that it was almost illegible
Not enough external recognition
Almost all experience was from FAANG. Didnt’ cut it.
Second Application: 23/05/2024- Fast track Application this time through an accelerator
1st Edit: didn’t track
Outcome: Successful - 04/06/2024 (Less than 2 weeks)
MC3 - You must demonstrate you are a recognized leader or emerging talent in your field.
OC1//OC2
Applied as Exceptional Talent, got Promise - Towards the end of my application prep, I noticed application was closer to Talent, but it was too late to edit references. I still applied as talent but got promise instead. Lessons:
Decide if you really want to apply as talent or promise before getting references
If you are a product founder/owner consider path ways through fast track accelerators
This time I leveraged my experience in product building and community in accelerator
-Used 3 recommendation letters from leaders in field// 5 more reference letters throughout the application
Improved design of application - Can discuss more
-Used a third eye to vet the application
Thanks for sharing your lessons. I was wondering what you mean by ‘Improved design of application’. I am currently putting in my application and just wondering how to put together some evidences especially those that require screenshots/links along with the writeup so they don’t look choked up or too clustered. Could you shed more light on how to improve this please?
It’s always best to keep your evidence document clear, and easy to read. Focus on making your name, evidence titles, your pictures, and links stand out so the assessor can quickly understand what each item is. Don’t worry about trying to squeeze too much into a small space, clarity is more important than cramming information together.
You can also increase your Word document layout to the default maximum page width. This gives you more room so your screenshots and write ups don’t look clustered or overwhelming.
If you’d like a more structured breakdown of how to present your evidence, feel free to DM me. I have a Pro Guide & Tips for Tech Nation Application, based on my professional experience and the lessons I’ve learned from supporting countless successful applicants. It covers important things every prospective applicant should know, like how to clearly and strategically present your evidence, amongst other things.
Disclaimer:
This guide is based on my personal knowledge, professional experience, and insights gained from supporting countless successful applicants through the Tech Nation application process(Stage 1). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Tech Nation, the Home Office, or any government body.