7 AI tools built from a Maven Lightning Lesson
The PM job market is brutal. These tools help you stand out with proof of work and better outreach. Based on insights from Ben Erez, Nickey Skarstad, and Hilary Gridley.
Work through these three phases to stand out from the flood of AI-generated applications.
Before you apply anywhere, get clear on your narrative and where to focus your energy.
In 2026, everyone has a polished resume. Stand out by making something.
Get your pitch in front of the right person — cold, warm, or through a referral.
Each tool is a Custom GPT you can use for free. Click to open in ChatGPT.
Before you spend 5 hours on an application, make sure it's worth it. This tool gives you a quick gut-check on whether a role is a strong fit, a stretch, or a waste of time.
Use this when: You're deciding where to focus your energy.Hiring managers pattern-match fast. If your background doesn't obviously fit, they'll make assumptions — usually unflattering ones. This tool helps you identify those assumptions and craft a counter-narrative.
Use this when: You're switching domains, levels, or company types.Create a thinking artifact that shows how your mind works: a competitive analysis, product teardown, strategy memo, or user research synthesis. This tool helps you pick the right format and scope it to 3-5 hours.
Use this when: You want to demonstrate strategic thinking without building a full prototype.Build a functional prototype or clickable demo that uses the company's product, APIs, or problem space. This tool helps you plan something you can ship in about a day — for roles you really want.
Use this when: It's a dream role and you want to show you can actually build, not just analyze.Based on the spearfishing framework from Fractal Bootcamp.
Most cold outreach fails at the subject line. "Interest in [Company]" gets ignored. This tool helps you write subject lines that are offers of value, not asks for time.
Use this when: You're emailing someone cold and need to get opened.Warm intros are still the most effective way in. But asking wrong can be awkward — or damage relationships. This tool helps you make the ask the right way.
Use this when: You have a mutual connection and want to do it right.The final step: write an email your mutual connection can forward with one click. This tool walks you through strategy, specifics, and drafting — then helps you find an edge that makes your email impossible to ignore.
Use this when: You're ready to write the actual outreach email.
This toolkit is based on "How to Get Noticed by PM Hiring Managers in 2026" — a Maven Lightning Lesson recorded January 22, 2026.
Former Head of Core Product at WHOOP. Building tools that help people work better.
PM coach and creator of the top-rated PM interview course on Maven.