“When recruiters assumed I was still employed, I seemed to be a much more attractive candidate than when I explained that I had left.”

I’ve been fortunate to have a second opportunity after leaving my job in tech. At the time, I joined my family’s company knowing that, ultimately, there was an opportunity for me to take over and run the business. Even so, I always left the door open to returning to product management. Being a Product Manager is something I’ve always loved, and it’s a career I saw myself doing for a long time.

One thing I always hoped to achieve was having the freedom to choose between staying with my family business or returning to tech. I wanted that decision to be based on what I truly wanted to do, not because one option was no longer available. Unfortunately, the current job market has proven to be much more difficult than I expected.

One thing I appreciate about this platform is that I can say things I wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable saying elsewhere. For example, I noticed that when recruiters assumed I was still employed at my previous company, I seemed to be a much more attractive candidate than when I explained that I had left to work in my family business. Having the opportunity to continue earning an income has been a privilege, and I’m grateful for that. At the same time, I have to admit it’s not the same as working as a Product Manager. There have been moments where I’ve questioned whether leaving was the right decision.

Throughout this process, I’ve continued interviewing, and I’ve noticed a pattern. Whenever I explain that I’m no longer at my previous company and have instead been working in a family business, freelancing, or doing work outside of a well-known tech company, I seem to receive more pushback. Instead of progressing to second or third-round interviews, the conversations often lose momentum.

My biggest takeaway from this experience is that candidates simply seem more attractive when they’re already employed, especially at recognized companies. Whether intentional or not, it feels like many recruiters place a premium on someone who is currently working in a comparable role.

I remember one interview in particular where the interviewer asked whether I was still at my previous company. I told them that I had left, and almost immediately the tone of the conversation changed. The interview effectively ended right there. This happened because I hadn’t yet updated my LinkedIn profile, so they had assumed I was still employed there. It was a striking reminder of how much perception can influence the hiring process.

All of this has made me realize how unfortunate it is that someone’s experience can be overlooked simply because they’re no longer working for a recognizable company. Your skills, accomplishments, and ability don’t suddenly disappear because you took a different career path.

I’ve also noticed, through conversations with my partner, who works in AI and is still in the corporate world, just how much the Product Management landscape has evolved since I left. The role, expectations, and tools have changed significantly. One lesson I’ve taken from this is that if you think you may want to return to the market one day, it’s incredibly important to stay engaged. Continue learning, keep up with industry trends, understand how the role is evolving, and make an effort to remain connected to the ecosystem, even if you’re working elsewhere.

Finally, one question I’ve found myself thinking about is how honest candidates really are during the interview process. Given how competitive the market has become, I sometimes wonder how many people present their employment history exactly as it happened versus shaping it to fit what recruiters want to see. I also wonder how much companies actually verify through background checks. It’s hard to believe that every candidate is being completely transparent when so many talented people are struggling to find opportunities. That experience has made me appreciate just how much hiring can be influenced not only by your qualifications, but also by how your story is perceived.