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The Program

The Associate Product Manager (APM) program at the Microsoft Israel R&D Center is a renowned, 2-year rotational program for recent university graduates interested in building careers in product management. 

APMs rotate through three different teams at the Microsoft R&D Center to work on a variety of products - leading and owning entire product features - in high-impact, meaningful projects.

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TWO YEARS, THREE TEAMS

Moving between teams allows APMs to grow networks quickly, while also learning different product methodologies and approaches.
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REAL PRODUCTS, REAL IMPACT

APMs work in multiple product groups at the Microsoft Israel R&D Center, helping to shape the future of technology.
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ACCELERATED GROWTH

Between our bootcamp, mentorship program and an international trip, the APM program is built to accelerate your growth as a PM.

Why APM

Bootcamp
– Meet with R&D Center leadership and learn about different product teams and methodologies during a week-long bootcamp.
Rotations
– Work on three different teams in two years and lead feature development in all - to gain a varied perspective on product development and a unique advantage in the product world.
Mentorship
– Meet experienced product leaders and have one assigned to you as your mentor for each team you work on.
Community
– Share your challenges and gain from others’ perspectives, while also growing a close network of PM peers.
Impact
– Work on products that reach billions around the world and make your day-to-day count.

Why APM @ Microsoft R&D Center

The Microsoft R&D Center in Israel develops and leads strategic products and services that tap into the country’s unique technological and entrepreneurial assets. The center is made up of 23 product development teams in numerous high impact domains, including Cyber Security, Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. This allows APMs to work on a variety of projects and make a real impact on Microsoft’s most strategic products.

FAQ

What kind of background do you need to be an APM?
APMs come from various backgrounds, but all need strong technical knowledge in computer science, development or an equivalent. APMs also tend to have a knack for leadership, design, business, marketing and innovative thinking. But no previous product management experience is necessary!
How many APMs are there?
Last year’s class had 5 APMs, and we will be aiming for a similar number this year.
Is this a full-time position?
Yes, APMs are full-time Microsoft PMs. They work from the Microsoft R&D Center in Herzliya.
How is the APM program structured?
Over the course of two years, each APM transitions between three different product teams. The first year is divided so you spend 6 months on each team, while the entirety of the second year is spent on one team.
When does registration open?
The APM class of 2021 is set to start their program in November, 2019. Applications are now open.
What happens after the program?
APMS use their experience to find a permanent home in a Microsoft product group - in either one of the teams they worked on, or another team of their interest.
How should you prepare for the APM interview?
The APM interview focuses on analytic and product design questions. If you have never interviewed for product positions before, we encourage you to review some of the following resources: Cracking the PM interview by Gayle McDowell, The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman. Read about ‘product management estimation questions’ and ‘product design questions.
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