How To Switch From Service-based to Product Based Company

Introduction

If getting into a product-based company is your dream and you are still stuck in your monotonous service-based job with no thrill left, you just have to follow the right approach, and switching to one of the product-based companies will feel like a walk in the park.

There are plenty of ways to seek the attention of product-based companies, but before we move ahead, let’s start with a proper definition. You might be curious to know more about service-based companies and product-based companies, right?

What is Service-Based Company?

Service-based companies mainly provide services to existing applications. Their clients are usually some other organizations. They offer services like –

• Software Development
• Maintenance
• Consulting Services
• Business Performance Management

What is Product-Based Company?

Product Based Companies create new products related to their specific domains. Like Apple Inc, which manufactures products such as iPod, Macbook, and iPhone. And then, they increase the performance of their products by upgrading them from time to time. Their clients are usually another team in the same company.

Switching To Product Based

Almost all the service-based company employees who want to make the switch to product-based companies come across the question, how hard is it to make the switch from service-based companies to product-based companies?

Getting into product-based companies could be comparatively more difficult than getting into service-based companies. While hiring candidates, service-based companies generally take rounds which include aptitude, basic coding, and interview.

Whereas product-based companies generally take rounds which include online coding assessment, behavioral and technical interviews, clearing these rounds is not as easy as competing for coding and interview rounds of service-based companies. They are more focused on problem-solving skills. But, as long as you remain consistent with your efforts, it’s not that tough to make a shift. Many employees had made a switch to product-based companies in less than one or two years.

Although, being a worker of a service-based company, you might be at a bit of a disadvantage as most recruiters from product-based companies search for candidates who are already working in some product-based company. But if you know the right way to grab the eyes of recruiters, then it will be only a matter of execution. If you have friends in product-based companies who can refer you or have a stunning LinkedIn profile that can influence seniors, it will make the process a lot easier.

If you’re working on technologies like machine learning, big data, or doing some development in your current organization, then it’s easier for you to make a switch. But most of the people work on support projects in service-based companies, which reduces their chances of making a switch as there is not much scope of learning in these projects, and it does not look good on a CV. The time you have spent working on these projects might not be considered in years of experience when applying for a software development engineer role in product-based companies.

Interview Process

The interview process for Software Development Engineers at product-based companies( Depending on the company and experience you’re applying, the interview procedure could be a little different ):

• Resume Shortlisting – A resume plays a crucial role in getting the interview call. As many candidates apply for the same job, you must have something in your resume which helps you stand out. It could be your projects, previous experience, or high rating on coding platforms.
• Online Coding Round – Questions related to basic aptitude, technical subjects, and coding questions. This round might not be included in the interview process of experienced professionals.
• Technical Interviews – Be prepared to the questions related to data structures and algorithms, core technical subjects, previous experience, and side projects.
• Design Round – Questions related to OOPs concept and system design. This round might not be included in the interview process of freshers.
• Behavioral Round – In-depth discussion of projects, theoretical technical concepts, your strength, and weakness.

Resume Preparation

Let’s see what should be there in your resume to increase your chances of getting shortlisted –

• Industrial Experience – Include relevant roles and responsibilities. Try to show what you did, how you did and what the outcome was. Example –
  • Developed a product-based application where users can get information and place an order about various astronomical products.
  • Connected multiple forms to the backend server using the Retrofit library. Also, Firebase Cloud Messaging to send pop-up notifications to users.
  • Applied Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics to implement 100+ events to deduce analysis of the application feature performance.
• Education – Mention your college name and the year in which you graduated. Don’t include the school name or low CGPA.
• Personal Projects – Include 2-3 most significant projects which are unique, and you know everything about them. Prepare for questions like why you chose this tech stack to build the project.
• Programming Languages – Include languages you’ve used and add experience level. You can use words like proficient, prior, intermediate, or expert to describe experience level.
• Achievements – Include achievements relevant to skills required at a job. Don’t cut technical lines to put non-technical accomplishments or interests. If you’re writing that you got 1st rank in competition, also include the number of participants.
• Profiles – Include GitHub profile, Linkedin profile, and Coding profiles(Including the highest rating you have on these sites). You can also include your blog sites or youtube channel if you put some technical stuff there.
• Coursework – Include subjects like operating systems, database management systems, and computer networks in this section.

How To Prepare For Product-based Companies?

1. Learn Data Structures and Algorithms

• For Mid-sized Companies – Learn basic data structures and algorithm concepts like an array, linked list, stack, queue, binary tree, hash maps, searching, sorting, two pointers. You can apply for mid-sized companies like Manhattan Associates, HashedIn, etc., after learning these topics.
• For Top-tech Companies – If you’re targeting top tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Preparing only basic DSA will not work. You will have to prepare DSA up to intermediate level (concepts like greedy approach, backtracking, tries, bit manipulation, dynamic programming, etc.)

2. Get a grasp on theoretical concepts

Learn core computer science subjects like Operating systems, Database management systems, computer networks and prepare SQL, OOPs concept, and low-level system design questions.

3. Prepare for technical interviews

Use InterviewBit and give mock interviews with friends or professionals. Practice writing code on a whiteboard or a paper, and take timed tests.

4. Work on Projects

Build some unique projects on your own or contribute to open source. Better to prepare full-stack projects rather than just focusing on the frontend or backend part. It will increase your chances of getting selected as many companies nowadays want full-stack developers.

Things to be considered

If you’ve solved the same question before, admit it. An interviewer is trying to see how good your problem-solving skills are? You’re not giving him a chance to evaluate you if you’ve solved the same question before.

Listen to the problem carefully –
Most of the time, you can find a hint in question to get an optimized solution.

Think loudly during the interview –
It could help an interviewer understand if you’re going in the right direction, and they can provide some hints too.

Write simple, correct, efficient, readable, and maintainable code

• Your code should work correctly on all possible test cases.
• It should be simple. You should not write extra lines if you can do the same work in a few.
• It should work efficiently in terms of time and space.
• It should be easy to read and understand.
• It should be adaptable to changes.

Additional Tips

It is extremely tough to get interview calls from product-based companies, and when you apply through the job portals, it might feel like jumping into a black hole. So, better start networking with people, dig up your long-lost friends, and ask them for referrals. Start stalking people, not on Facebook, on Linkedin. Search for recruiters’ profiles.

If you’re currently working on a support project within your organization, you should keep on trying to shift into a development project. And start working on some amazing side projects which could help you land in your dream project-based company.

Generally, there is a fixed-time schedule in service-based companies, so time management while working for these companies is not easy. But if you want to get into product-based companies, you will have to save the proper amount of time for preparation. Try to stay closer to your company and properly use weekends. If there is no work, do watch videos or read technical blogs in that time frame which will save a lot of your time.

Surround yourself with people having the same goal. It could help you remain consistent and help in your interview preparation.

Why Join a Product-based IT Company?

If you are a passionate programmer, you might want to work in a company where the learning curve is exponential. As you might know, Top tech product-based companies provide an environment to enhance skills. Whereas, In service-based companies, the scope of development is less, employees do not need to stretch their brains. And that is a good reason why you should join a product-based company.

Some of the top product-based companies are:

• Amazon
• Google
• Microsoft
• Facebook
• Netflix
• Apple
• Adobe

Summary

• Be consistent in your efforts then moving to a product company will be a piece of cake.
• The hiring challenge of product-based companies generally comprises five rounds:
  • Coding assessment
  • Three technical interviews
  • Behavioral/ HR round
• Want to get an interview call? Start thinking out of the box, make your resume perfect and your LinkedIn profile stunning.
• Get a good grasp of core technical subjects, data structures, and algorithms.
• Make some amazing side projects if you’re working in the support team.

Additional Resources

• Highest Paid Jobs In India
• Difference Between Product and Service Based Company
• IT Companies in Bangalore

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1: Which is a better service-based or product-based company?

Ans: It could depend on person to person, though product-based companies provide a good learning curve. They provide a platform for enhancing your skills.

Q.2: Can I get into a product-based company being a fresher?

Ans: Yes, you can by remaining consistent with your efforts. Follow the right approach, and you will be there in no time.

Q.3: Is Amazon a product-based company?

Ans: Yes, Amazon is one of the top product-based companies.

Q.4: What are the few good product-based companies?

Ans: Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Netflix are considered the best product-based companies.

Q.5: How do product-based companies work?

Ans: They create new applications and improve or upgrade their product/applications.