Now that you’ve identified which project to pitch, let’s understand how to cultivate perceived value pre-, during and post-interview!

Perceived value is the subjective impression that someone has of you.

Communicate your value in a way that resonates with the interviewer and makes them want to work with you.

Let’s understand how we can do that in:

Before the interview, go through the product you are applying for and understand all possible user flows multiple times.

One of the first things the interviewer in the first round wants to know is your enthusiasm for the role. They test that by asking you what you know about the product

If you are meeting someone for an interview in person, remember every single thing matters including:

In case of remote interviews, basic logistics matter more than you think.

A lot of people write to the interviewer thanking them for taking out the time or asking for feedback. Unfortunately, it can lead to additional waste of time for the person reading the email.

Additionally, seeking feedback can make them feeling you are underconfident about your performance.

Do not follow up with the hiring manager unless there is no recruiter available.

Following up several times with hiring manager can give the impression that you are desperate as a result of which you lose all the negotiation power

All the actions you are carrying out as part of round 1, 2 and 3 are going to be pivotal in your negotiation round

See if they are writing content on LinkedIn or Twitter. here you can go ahead and share your POV or recommendation that adds value. This is a great way of building rapport.

Avoid pestering but rather focus on adding valuable comments or reflections on their posts.

Body language and tone that build trust

The Job To Be Done (JTBD) for a Growth team is typically to drive and manage the organisation’s growth by identifying, testing, and implementing strategies that attract and retain users, increase revenue, and enhance the overall business.

Simply put, a Growth team’s JTBD is to take a product from point A to point B.

Now, there are 3 core pillars to do this:

👉 Building the core product or the features of the core product relevant to the users

👉 Focusing on the positioning, segmentation, marketing, and the overall distribution of the product

👉 Developing theses, and helping the leadership make decisions or assist with OKR implement

Now that you have the context of the growth function, let’s begin by understanding 3 core steps to crack any growth role!

1. Build extremely relevant Proof of Work

2. Nailing how you present your Proof of Work

🎯 GrowthX members have cracked Director of Product level roles with their POWs, which is a testament to how powerful it is.

Growth role expectations vs reality

And how you can leverage them

First step will help you build raw materials

Second step will help you put all your raw materials to generate a 60-second introduction

Your job in the first few lines is to do the following

 ⏱️30 seconds (Use the intriguing facts here)

You have to achieve the following in this segment

Step 3 → Compile information in the template

In this step you will collate everything in the following template.

🛗 Your elevator pitch [Spend 15 minutes crafting this]

, I’m very excited to have this conversation. Thank you so much for taking the time.

2️⃣ Talk about your current role, company, and major strength.

3️⃣ Talk about what you’re looking for now and why you’re interested in this company.

4️⃣ Pause with a question: “Let me know if you have any questions before I proceed”.

5️⃣ Proceed with highlighting your major work achievements in brief.

In this step you can write and keep your final elevator pitch on whichever tool that you're comfortable with - Notion, Google Docs or even your diary. 

Read the script as is for the first time. Want to make changes? Do them.

Done? Watch the video, modify if required.

Now that you have finished this module, we hope you have designed your Elevator Pitch and are all set to ace that interview!

You can also check out video content on Elevator Pitch on ELEVATE 

Hook them in the first 60 seconds

How to position career gaps as strengths

How to present past work without boring them

If you're returning from a career break, you may have questions about how to re-enter the workforce with confidence, find the right opportunities, and ensure you’re not undervaluing your skills. 

This module will guide you through the essential steps of analyzing the job market, understanding compensation realities, and building your confidence and positioning.

By the end of this module, you'll have practical insights into where to focus your efforts, how to navigate the job market effectively, and the tools to position yourself as a strong candidate for your return. 

Before diving into job applications, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate where the opportunities are and how hiring trends have shifted. Understanding this will help you target the right industries and roles.

1. Understanding industry-specific trends

A marketing professional returning after a 5-year break may find 

 in content marketing, SEO, or paid media before transitioning into a full-time role.

When returning to work, it’s crucial to have realistic salary expectations. Pay parity can vary by industry, and some may offer wage gaps for returnees, but the right approach can lead to accelerated promotions and growth.

Roles where skills > continuous experience:

Don’t undersell yourself. Instead of focusing on the gap, 

Many women returning to the workforce receive lower salary offers than they deserve. Instead of accepting a pay cut, use these strategies to negotiate better compensation:

💡 If the company is hesitant to offer your target salary upfront, propose a 

💡 If a higher salary isn’t possible, negotiate for additional 

equity, joining bonuses, or performance incentives

💡 Compensation isn’t just about base salary, 

💰 Researching market salaries gives you 

2. Focus on building confidence & positioning

A major challenge for women returning to work is 

often feeling like they need to justify their career break. Instead of explaining why you left, 

shift the focus to the value you bring today.

💡 Mindset shift: Reframe the narrative

✔ Showcase relevant experience, even outside of traditional work.

✔ Own your decision and move forward with confidence.

💡 Communicating your impact effectively

1. Highlight past wins (Even if it’s been a while)

 Frame your experience in terms of measurable impact.

 (cost savings, revenue growth, process improvements).

2. Showcase skill-building during the break

Even if you weren’t in a traditional job, you likely 

Returning to the workforce after a career break is a big step, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to re-enter the professional world stronger than before. By analyzing the job market, understanding compensation realities, and positioning yourself confidently, you can ensure a successful and rewarding return.

Remember, the skills you’ve gained during your break, along with your past achievements, make you a valuable asset. With the right mindset and preparation, you’re more than ready for this next chapter. Keep pushing forward, and know that the confidence and clarity you need to succeed are within reach.

Once you've done your reseach, it’s time to connect with your network and ask for support. In the next module, we’ll discuss how to leverage your circle to uncover job opportunities.

How to share your career break honestly

Now that you have understood the Whats and the Whys, let's dive into How to Design Your Communicate Your Craft Pitch. 

Step 1 → Write down the list of projects

The first step will help you build raw materials.

Step 2 → Put the project into STAR approach

Chuck the vanity, write down how did the project change core business numbers? Talk about effect on the core business metrics like CAC, CLV, NPS, and CSAT. 

Your impact on these needles is going to be crucial when you will be presenting your project. 

And with this, we come to the end of the module. 

Now that you have finished this module, we hope you have designed your Communicate Your Craft Pitch and are all set to ace that interview!

You can also check out video content on Communicate Your Craft on ELEVATE 

How to structure project walkthroughs

Once you're out of a career break and working towards securing a new job, it's natural to feel a bit out of touch with the interview process. The uncertainty of returning to work after time off can often bring up feelings of lack of confidence or intimidation. However, this is a normal part of the transition, and with the right preparation, you can confidently tackle interviews and present yourself as a strong candidate.

By preparing thoroughly and framing your career break as an asset, you'll be in a strong position to face the interview process with confidence.

It's okay to feel nervous or unsure. Recognizing this will allow you to focus on strategies to regain your confidence.

Returning to work after a career break can sometimes bring questions and biases about why you took time off. Many women returning to the workforce worry about how hiring managers perceive career breaks. The key is 

1. Tackling career break questions in interviews

When asked about your career break, focus on:

 (upskilling, freelancing, personal growth).

 (gained clarity, developed new skills, built resilience).

 (renewed energy, fresh perspective, stronger skills).

"During my career break, I focused on enhancing my [specific skill] through [specific course/project] while also managing [personal responsibilities]. This experience strengthened my ability to [relevant skill], and I’m now eager to bring this perspective to [target role]."

If your break was due to caregiving, personal health, or other life events, you can keep it simple:

"I took time off to focus on [reason], and now I’m excited to re-enter the workforce with [new skills/perspectives]."

Here are some common questions that you can come up in interviews when you’re returning after a career break:

Practice your answer out loud to ensure it sounds natural and confident. 

Start by reviewing common interview questions, practicing answers aloud, and improving your communication.

with us and we’ll help you practice and frame better responses to these questions!

2. Emphasizing growth & transferable skills

Many women returning to the workforce underestimate the value of the skills they gained during their time away from paid employment. Whether you’ve been freelancing, caregiving, managing personal projects, or upskilling, you've developed transferable skills that are highly valuable in the workplace. The trick is to connect these experiences with what employers are looking for.

Reflect on the skills you've developed during your career break, as well as your pre-break experiences, and see how they align with the role you're targeting.

 between what you did and what employers need.

Example 1: Upskilling during a career break

"During my break, I managed household schedules, planned logistics, and handled budgeting—these strengthened my ability to prioritize, multitask, and make data-driven decisions, which are critical for [target role]."

 Shows initiative, continuous learning, and readiness to contribute.

If you've done a Proof of Work (PoW) project or certification, mention it to showcase hands-on experience.

Example 2: Problem-solving from freelancing

"I worked on freelance projects that required me to adapt quickly, manage client expectations, and deliver results independently. This helped me refine my problem-solving and stakeholder management skills."

 Continuity of work, adaptability, and execution skills, these are key assets in any role.

You can even reframe caregiving and managing your personal life as your core learning and strength rather than a career break!

The STAR framework is a powerful tool for structuring your interview responses clearly, ensuring that you highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a way that resonates with hiring managers.

You’ll use this framework when asked to describe your experiences or explain how you handled specific challenges, especially during a career break. Hiring managers often ask questions like:

These questions are opportunities to demonstrate your skills and resilience during your career break.

Question: "How familiar are you with product designing? I notice you haven't worked on this before your career break."

Situation: During my career break, I noticed that my product design skills were outdated, particularly in the areas of user research and prototyping.

Task: I set a goal to improve these skills to make myself more competitive in the job market.

Action: I enrolled in a product design course that focused on user-centered design principles. I also worked on a personal project where I designed an app, conducted user research, and created wireframes and prototypes using Figma.

Result: As a result, I was able to refine my design skills and am now confident in using modern design tools and methodologies, which will help me contribute to product teams from day one.

The STAR framework helps you present your career break as a period of growth and proactive learning, and by practicing your answers, you’ll boost your confidence in interviews.

With your interview prep in place, you're now ready to step confidently into the job market and land that next role! Don't hesitate to apply for jobs, but also selectively apply to those role that you're passionate about! 

Most importantly, be patient and believe in yourself. You’ve got this! 

How to talk about career breaks in your resume

How to talk about changing jobs without looking unreliable

Interview red flags that eliminate candidates

Make the first copy of your elevator pitch

Mock interview series: Atomberg GTM rounds

Mock interview series: Introduce yourself

Mock interview series: Practice Round 1

Mock interview series: Share your career story

Mock interview series: Walk through your resume

Are you an aspiring Product Manager or Product Marketer? Does the thought of building, deploying, and iterating excite you?

If yes, then you might be a great fit for a Growth team!

But having an intent isn’t enough. It is important to effectively communicate it in a way that people know what you are capable of just by the first few seconds of talking to you!

Being extremely good at what you do is a big differentiator from the crowd but how you introduce yourself matters more than you think.

This is where the Elevator Pitch comes in!

📝 Here are the Outcomes of this module for you:

Opening lines that set the right tone

And how to design your own!

PM skills that matter in first round conversations

Practice round 1 questions that mirror real interviews

Understanding the hiring manager’s JTBD is super crucial.

👉 They help evaluate your fitment for the role. Using the right keywords that are relevant to the role you have applied for is extremely important to establish relevancy.

👉 This means what you submit on paper should be the same when you appear for the interview. There shouldn’t be any inconsistencies in terms of information or personality.

👉 It may sound ambiguous but vibe check is an important criterion before hiring. The recruiter or hiring manager needs to feel positive about you as a person so they can trust you.

👉 Showing how eager and curious you are for the role shows effort and good intent. The interviewer wants to know how far have you gone to understand the product, and intent solves that.

 to understand how you can make a lasting impression with your Elevator Pitch

Questions interviewers ask themselves about you

Round 1 mock with Apoorva Uniyal [Brand Marketing]

Signals that convince interviewers you're genuinely interested

Understanding the Hiring Manager’s hiring checklist

What Talabat looks for in PMM candidates

What happens behind the scenes in hiring

What interviewers want to hear in your intro

What to say to prove you actually want this job

Before learning how to communicating your craft, it is crucial to identify which project you should pick to best explain your skillset and impact.

The project you choose to pick should pass a litmus test by checking the following conditions:

Let’s understand each condition one by one.

The project has to be absolutely relevant to the target role, which means you should be able to communicate your craft based on the nature of the role and what is expected of you.

You should have made significant contribution to the project. Ensure you are able to quantify your contribution and how it affected the overall numbers of the organization.

Avoid picking projects where you have either shadowed someone or assisted someone because it will not reflect your ownership. Pick a project whose success can be attributed directly to you or your team’s efforts.

You should have owned the process of thesis building to conception to impact which is end-to-end to show high accountability and delivery. Additionally, you should be able to answer at least 3 levels of WHYs to establish trust.

Note: Don’t pick a shiny project just because it sounds good. The project should be able to present YOUR skills and impact. The project itself should not have to be big but it should successfully communicate what you are capable of.

If the project you are pitching has all of the above 4 points then great! ✅

If you have 3 then it’s good. But if you only have 2 or less then that’s a red flag. ❌

Avoid picking up such projects because they won’t help you get through round 2.

The JTBDs of your pitch change basis the career stage you are in (early, mid and leadership).

If you are in the early stage of your career, you need to present that one skill or craft that has shined through in your project

If you are mid-career, you should be able to show your ONE major skill and also people management skills. Here, it is best to pick a project where you have handled a team, even if a small one for that matter.

If you want to crack an interview for a leadership role then you need to present projects that reflect your ability to take bets that changed or did not change the orbits for your last org. You should be able to answer at least 3 levels of WHYs behind them.

Your craft pitch = Questions for the interviewer

Here’s a structure that will help you efficiently frame your craft

— What was the situation you were in during that project Task 

— What were the tasks required to do or assigned to you Action 

— What action did you do and why Result 

— What result were you able to achieve through it

The project you are pitching should present your core strengths. You must be able to articulate your competencies and expertise in an easy sentence that you believe and can actually deliver. Focus on tangibility, quality, and consistency.

If you struggle with identifying what your strengths are, ask your friends and family to share what they think you are really good at.

Talk about numbers because that’s the best way to show impact on the project and the way it affected the north star metric of the business

It should be a number that matters to the business as a whole — you should be able to translate the impact of your ownership.

If you are transitioning, focus on presenting proof of work and the validation you might have received for the POW you built.