Hiring managers today often prioritize deep domain expertise when looking for product managers. Whether it’s AI, fintech, cybersecurity, or e-commerce, the expectation is that the ideal PM should already know the ins and outs of the industry.
But is this really the best way to build a great product team?
From my experience, the best product managers are not defined by their domain knowledge, but by their ability to quickly learn, adapt, and focus on what truly matters: strategic thinking, product sense, execution, data-driven decision-making, and strong collaboration skills. These are the core skills that make a PM successful in any domain.
At the same time, having experience across different industries and different types of organizations—startups, scale-ups, enterprises—also brings a unique advantage. Exposure to various ways of working enables a PM to bring fresh thinking into every organization and avoid falling into the trap of "this is how we've always done it."
A good PM isn’t just someone who “knows the space.” It’s someone who knows how to dive into any space, quickly identify user pain points, map opportunities, and execute a winning strategy.
None of these skills are domain-specific—they apply to any industry.
Every product team is different, and rather than following a blanket rule of “hire PMs with domain expertise” or “hire generalists,” it’s more important to assess what your team is missing.
Especially in large product teams, balance matters. You don’t want everyone thinking the same way. A mix of domain experts, strategic thinkers, data-driven PMs, and creative problem-solvers creates a stronger product team overall.
While domain expertise is often considered a requirement, I’ve found that coming from a different industry can actually be an advantage in many cases. Bringing in product thinking from one domain into another often leads to creative solutions that insiders may not immediately consider.
One example I love is how gaming principles have influenced many other industries. Gamification techniques, like rewards, leveling up, and social leaderboards, have been successfully integrated into fintech, fitness apps, and even workplace productivity tools. These ideas didn’t come from within those industries - they were borrowed from gaming, an entirely different space.
While this isn’t the most important reason to hire a PM from outside the industry, it’s a valuable byproduct that can lead to breakthrough ideas.
Rather than looking for someone who already knows the industry, I believe it’s far more important to hire PMs who: ✔ Learn new markets quickly – understanding customer needs, business models, and competitive landscapes at a deep level. ✔ Know how to work with domain experts – leveraging the knowledge of subject matter experts and specialists rather than trying to be the expert themselves. ✔ Have diverse experience – working across different industries, company sizes, and organizational structures, which helps bring fresh ways of thinking into any team.
A great PM doesn’t walk in knowing everything—they walk in knowing how to figure it out.
The best product managers aren’t just the ones who’ve spent 10 years in one domain. They’re the ones who can jump into any domain, learn fast, and execute effectively.
I’ve worked on multiple products across different industries, and each transition reinforced my belief that being a great PM is about mindset, not just experience in a specific field. If anything, cross-domain experience has been an advantage, not a drawback.
So, next time you’re hiring a PM, ask yourself: Do I want more of the same? Or do I want someone who will challenge the status quo and drive real innovation?
About the Author – Irena Graiver
I’m a product leader with a passion for building and scaling products that drive real business impact. With experience working across various industries and different types of companies, I specialize in product vision, strategy, and lifecycle management, creating digital solutions that align technology, customer needs, and business success.
In my articles, I share insights on product leadership, innovation, and growth strategies, helping teams build smarter, scale faster, and create meaningful impact.
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