# The Title Trap in Transitioning into Product Roles #Product *Last updated: March, 2021* I was recently asked this question: _"I have 5 years of experience; however, transitioning to product implies taking up a job as an associate product manager. Should I pursue this?". _ My 2 cents - if the role is right for you, ignore the title, at least for the first couple of gigs as part of the transition. **What's the difference between the role and title?** The utility of a title begins with the offer letter and ceases to mean much beyond the amount on the monthly pay check. If transitioning into a product role is important for you, I suggest overriding the title with the opportunity to make an impact with the role. **So what should you look for in the role?** The span of control, autonomy, and mentorship to scale your mental muscles to meet the "MVP" of a product manager. [[Do You Need to be a Product Manager to Apply Product Thinking]] Lastly, all titles are made up, and especially in the product roles, there is a tremendous amount of title inflation. In this post, [[Title Inflation in Product Management]], I share one approach I use to ratify the title against the role on the ground.