Steps to get a job in a product-based company

Working for a product-based firm may be one of the most satisfying career options because it  offers time and location freedom, personal appreciation, and an excellent chance to enhance your talents. Firms like Google, Adobe, and Cisco enable consumers to form strong relationships via their network of hardware, software, and service offerings. In order to get a job in a product based company, it is important to gain certain skills, ready an effective resume and prepare for the interview. 

What are product-based companies?

A product-based firm develops and manufactures its products. Product-based businesses often have significant sales and profits but need large initial expenditures. Furthermore, these organizations are more customer-centric, which means that workers often work with a single job and do not shift their attention from one product to the next.

How do product-based companies work?

Product-based companies create and sell items that people want. Companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Adobe, and McAfee continually upgrade and enhance their products. As a consequence, they have more pleased consumers. Here’s how product-based businesses work: 

Recruit through DSA interviews 

Most product-based businesses recruit employees via data-structure and algorithm (DSA) interviews. This exam assesses your problem-solving abilities. As a result, you’ll need to be proficient in DSA. Furthermore, you might consider studying basic coding fundamentals to prepare for this interview. Java or C are recommended languages.

Customer-friendly company culture

Companies focused on offering the most excellent customer experience fall into the trap of developing a corporate culture that prioritizes customers above workers. This customer-focused culture helps employees to understand the end-user behavior and fine-tune their products for the masses.

Product-centric marketing strategies

A marketing approach that focuses on a product or service is an effective way to target customers who are already interested in a product or service. Companies that use this method include Sears and Staples, which expect buyers to seek a particular product and make it simple to discover.

Product-based firms’ scalability

Technology is a vital part of scalability for product-based businesses. Companies may boost their capacity with superior technology without recruiting more workers or establishing new plants. However, to develop effectively, organizations must guarantee that they are scalable.

Cost of working in product-based companies

Product-based businesses create their items before contacting a customer. They also concentrate on the most recent innovations in their sector. As a result, they are often more costly than typical firms.

How to get into a product-based company?

Here are a few steps you can follow to get into a product based company.

Create an effective resume

Resumes are the first documents that recruiters see of a candidate. When you are applying for a product-based company, it is best to create a one-page resume that summarizes your background and experience in a short and crisp manner. Recruiters and HR managers come across multiple resumes in a day and it is important for your resume to stand out.

Use professional networks

Networking with others in the industry will help you find out more about job openings, as sometimes job postings may not be listed online. Connecting with people will allow you to build your professional network and boost your profile.

Learn data structures and algorithms

If you want to work for a product-based organization, you need to be familiar with algorithms and data structures. You can create and construct scalable goods if you understand algorithms. Solving an issue for many people is a terrific way to earn a lot of money. Successful product-based businesses employ engineers who understand data structures and algorithms. 

Get ready for technical interviews 

A data-structure and algorithm (DSA) interview is used by the majority of product-based organizations. This interview is highly technical, putting your problem-solving skills and logical thinking to the test. If you don’t have a great understanding of DSA, it’s doubtful that a product-based organization would consider employing you. You’ll also be asked about essential technical topics and related experiences. The interviewers may also ask a few technical questions about your previous projects.

Upskill with online courses 

You will produce new items, enhance old ones, or update them in a product-based firm. Typically, applicants for these professions are picked after completing aptitude and essential coding examinations. They may also need you to attend an interview to see if you are a good fit for the organization. You’ll be on your way to joining the firm after you’ve satisfied these conditions.

Consider an internship

Along with upskilling with online courses, you can consider taking up an internship. Internships with a product-based company can help you land a job if you perform well. Recruiters prefer hiring interns who already have worked there, instead of hiring outsiders.

Skills required to get into product based companies

A product-based firm needs a solid foundation and a problem-solving attitude. These firms often recruit candidates with good interpersonal and communication abilities and coding and programming expertise.

Here are the skills required for product-based companies job roles

Programming Languages

Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript is often essential. The specific language depends on the company and the role you are applying for.

Read more: How to become a product manager from a data science background

Data Structures and Algorithms

A strong understanding of fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs) and algorithms is crucial. Many product-based companies assess candidates on their problem-solving abilities.

Interpersonal skills are required in product management

Listening and empathizing with others are vital skills. Empathy facilitates teamwork and boosts partnership productivity. Interpersonal skills will equip you for the demands of product management.

Coding knowledge is helpful

Coding abilities are helpful for many reasons. They may open doors to various careers, both within and outside of organizations. Having coding skills allows you to grasp how these tools function and how to use them to solve issues. Here are some of the main reasons why product-based organizations need coding abilities.

Problem-solving

The ability to approach complex problems analytically and solve them systematically is highly valued. Problem solving abilities help you analyze problems and bring out quick solutions, which greatly contributes to the overall productivity of the company. 

Self-motivated attitude

Product-based businesses want people with subject competence and autonomy. If you lack these talents, it is tough to be recruited by product-based firms. These businesses require staff who can work on a product and interact with customers. They typically value specific talents above others. Good communication abilities are necessary, but not the only one.

Read more: Skills required for a career in product management

Top product based companies in the world

You can consider working for a top 10 product-based company in India if you want a wide employment scope. Check out these ten top product-based companies.

Adobe

If you’re into software, you should look at Adobe, its most popular Acrobat Reader is the king in accessing PDF documents and Photoshop is the unchallenged product in graphic design. In your life, you would come across many applications from Adobe from time to time. Adobe looks at the client’s needs to organize a project’s activities.

Amazon

Amazon is a product-based firm, not just a service-based one. It develops its software and goods. Initially, it started as an e-commerce firm but developed into a tech company that has branched out into various other sectors, including but not limited to streaming (Amazon Prime), cloud computing (AWS), etc.

CISCO

In addition to IoT devices, CISCO specializes in energy management and domain security. It has workers throughout the world.

Amdocs

Amdocs is a software firm that specializes in CRM solutions. Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe, Morris Kahn, and SBC Communications are among the investors in this Guernsey-based product business. With over 250,000 employees worldwide, with a cash-to-debt ratio of 1.48, this is a high number for the IT sector.

Meta (Facebook)

Minimum viable products (MVPs) are critical in software development. Meta started with Facebook for social media networking and now has Instagram and Whatsapp. They acquired Oculus for the development of Virtual Reality based content. 

Google

Search engine giant Google dominates in various areas of technologies with several innovative products. Their flagship Google Suite is bundled with many Google products for office, communications, and digital marketing, such as Gmail, Google Meet, Drive, Google Tag Manager and more. With proper preparations, any professional can enter Google.

Microsoft

Microsoft is one of the world’s biggest software corporations, best known for its Windows operating systems, Office suite, and Internet Explorer (now Edge) web browser. It owns social networking sites like LinkedIn, which millions of professionals use to network, and its Xbox game consoles continue to sell in record numbers. Customers include individuals, small enterprises, and some of the world’s biggest corporations.

Hewlett-Packard (HP)

Bill Hewlett and David Packard launched HP in 1947. They began in a Palo Alto garage and quickly bought other enterprises. On November 6, 1957, HP went public with an IPO price of $16 per share. The firm acquired facilities and extended its product range to consumer markets around the globe. It bought a graphic recorder company, F.L. Moseley, and set up a marketing office in Switzerland.

Informatica

If you’re searching for a data integration business, you’ve probably come across Informatica. Founded in 1993, the firm has become an industry leader in data integration. This programme can integrate data from many systems, maintain master data, and schedule data activities. In addition, its back-end allows for custom data processing.

Intel

Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce, creators of the integrated circuit and Moore’s law, formed the firm in 1968. Arthur Rock, who aided with fundraising, chaired the board. The arrival of the IBM personal computer revolutionized Intel’s business strategy. As per the company website, Intel’s innovation in cloud computing, data center, the Internet of Things, and PC solutions is powering the smart and connected digital world we live in.

McAfee

John McAfee created the firm in 1987 to provide digital security products. And he was up against Intel, the world’s top PC processor manufacturer. Based in Santa Clara, California, the firm creates digital security products for desktops, servers, and mobile devices.

Product-based vs Service-based companies: Key differences 

The critical difference between product and service business is the nature of the labor. A product-based firm sells a tangible product, while a service-based company does not sell anything but instead works on behalf of another organization or customer. 

Let’s examine the difference between product and service based company depending on a variety of parameters:

Product-based companies	Service-based companies
Product-based organizations often recruit people with significant topic or domain knowledge and familiarity with cutting-edge tools and technology.	Communication skills are equally as necessary as technical competence if you want to work in a service-based organization.
Product-based businesses frequently have more job stability than service-based businesses.	An employee in a service-based organization feels increased strain because of the tight deadlines and expectations.
Product-based companies are all the businesses that have their items to offer. Google, Alphabet, Facebook, Adobe, and others are instances.	The service-based firms may well not offer items, but their core competency is service. They work for different organizations or customers. Infosys, Wipro, TCS, and Cognizant are a few examples.
Since consumers often make spontaneous and rapid purchases, product-based firms have short turnaround times.	According to service-based firms, many iterations and discussions are necessary before a contract or transaction is signed.
A product-based company will frequently invest a large amount of money and time in branding to increase customer awareness of their products. Product firms will advertise their products globally.	Service-based firms will aim to directly target a specific set of people or a local audience. They will typically use customised marketing language and put a more significant focus on customer experience and pleasure.
Product-based companies may market and sell their products all over the globe.	On the other hand, service-based enterprises often cater to the local market.
Product-based firms create or develop their items or apps even before contacting clients.	The business can only function when a consumer approaches a service-based firm with specific needs or expectations.

Do I need a master’s degree to get into a product-based job? 

To gain a competitive advantage, it is advised to earn an online MBA from a prestigious business school, such as Manipal University Jaipur. While a master’s degree in business administration has numerous benefits, few individuals are aware of how it can benefit their careers. MBA programmes enable you to enhance your essential skills in management and business administrations.

Read more: How MBA fits into your product management career

MBA students acquire the necessary critical thinking skills, including extensive big-picture reasoning, to address client demands and expand the business. MBA programmes also emphasize teamwork and problem-solving skills.

In addition, an online MCA degree can give you an advantage over other graduates competing for the same position. Your skills and training as a software engineer will benefit you in a variety of product-based positions. A systems developer writes code and creates operating system programmes. A web designer will create portals and websites using software. Both of these online degrees – MBA and MCA – demand a creative mind and substantial practical experience.

Master your skills through Online Manipal

With Online Manipal, you will get access to UGC-entitled online degrees from top universities like Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), and Sikkim Manipal University (SMU). The online degrees available on Online Manipal are flexible, accessible and affordable. You can tailor your learning experience as per your commitments, access e-learning material anytime, become a part of a global classroom, learn from expert faculty, and get the prestigious Manipal alumni status. Explore our programs here!