How to Get Interview Calls from Product Companies and Startups?

In a market-conquering competitive world, getting interview calls can feel like facing a daunting Goliath. 

We all know that the tech industry is evolving at lightning speed. 

For students, this new era presents exciting prospects alongside a tinge of uncertainty.

Universities are now pushing students to meet the market's demand in order to get jobs. 

As for working professionals, staying relevant in an environment of shifting paradigms is a challenge and a necessity. 

Seasoned professionals must constantly update their skill sets. And, at times, also consider bold career moves to stay up in the world of tech.

The traditional approach of seeking job security is now competing with the allure of startups and PBCs. 

💡 Thus, the lines between traditional industries and tech-driven innovation are blurring. 

There is now a demand for hybrid professionals! 

Employers are seeking candidates who can bridge the gap between different domains. 

Candidates, who possess a diverse skill set that blends the best of both worlds.

And here's the twist—the days of a plain ol' resume and a standard cover letter are long gone. 

Now, employers want to see more from you. But, what are they looking for? 🤔

Gear up, cos I have listed out the 5 steps approach on how to get interview calls and get placed in product-based companies!

Together, let's navigate this Goliath-like tech landscape.

The journey to securing those interview calls may be challenging, but the rewards are boundless!

3 Ultimate areas to focus on to get interview calls from Product-based companies

⚡Work 1:1 with an experienced professional from your dream product company.

Boost your interview preparation.

1. Build a Killer Portfolio:

Portfolios have now become today's resumes! 

While a resume can only “say”, your portfolio “shows” the recruiters what you can do. 

That is why building a stellar portfolio can make or break your chances. 

When you are building a portfolio, keep these in mind:

💠Showcase Your Abilities: 

Your portfolio should be a reflection of your abilities and expertise. 

Thus, highlight your strengths and showcase your problem-solving abilities. 

Call attention to your creativity, and technical proficiency.

💠Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: 

Instead of including a large number of projects, focus on showcasing a few high-quality projects that you are proud of. 

💠Customise for the Job: 

ALWAYS! 

Yes, I mean always customise your portfolio to match the requirements of the job you are applying for. 

💠Demonstrate Versatility: 

Include a variety of projects. 

This showcases your adaptability to different challenges and technologies. 

For instance, if you're a software developer, feature projects involving diverse programming languages, frameworks, and applications.

💠Provide Detailed Documentation: 

Offer comprehensive documentation for each project. 

Explain the problem you aimed to solve, the technologies you used, your role in the project, and the outcomes or impact of your work. Use visuals to enhance understanding.

💠Include Open-Source Contributions: 

Whenever possible, highlight your contributions to open-source projects. Such contributions demonstrate your coding abilities and engagement with the developer community.

💠Regularly Update Your Portfolio:  

As you grow in your career, your portfolio should reflect your progress and the latest skills you have acquired.

💠Visual Appeal: 

Ensure that your portfolio has a clean and organised layout.

This will make it easier for potential employers to navigate and find relevant information.

💠Incorporate Testimonials: 

Boost your portfolio's credibility by including testimonials or recommendations from colleagues, clients, or supervisors who can vouch for the quality of your work.

2. A Tech Profile Magnet:

A strong tech profile is your virtual calling card. 

They speak louder than words on a traditional resume.

Curating a magnetic profile that establishes yourself as a standout candidate. 

This not only validates your claims but also establishes credibility.

Increase your visibility in your desired field to learn how to get interview calls.

The best ways to market yourself are:

💠Leetcode Profile:

Leetcode is definitely a popular platform used to assess candidates' coding skills.

Solve a wide range of coding problems, covering different data structures and algorithms.

Aim for both easy and challenging problems to demonstrate versatility.

Practice interview-specific topics and keep track of your solved problems.

💠Codechef/Codeforces Profile:

Create a profile and participate in contests here, both rated and unrated.

Aim for consistent participation to improve your coding skills and problem-solving speed.

Pay attention to your ratings on these platforms, and strive to improve them over time.

💠Blog Links:

Start a technical blog that you can share with the broader tech community.

Write blog posts on topics that interest you and are relevant to the roles you're applying for.

Share your blog posts on social media and tech-related platforms. It increases visibility and engagement.

💠Newsletters:

If you regularly write technical newsletters or tech updates, provide links to your newsletter archives or subscription forms.

Include links to your best or most popular newsletters. This showcases your writing and communication skills.

Engage with your subscribers and encourage feedback. This demonstrates your ability to build a community around your content.

3. Build a Winning Resume:

While job hunting, a winning resume can be your golden ticket (Yup, Willy Wonka just flashed through my mind as well) to unlocking exciting career opportunities. 

That's why crafting a resume that stands out is absolutely crucial! 

Enhance your job search by understanding how to get interview calls through tailored resumes.

Here's a guide to building a resume that gets you noticed:

🌟 Clearly outline your work experience. Including job titles, company names, and dates of employment.

🌟 Highlight your key responsibilities, accomplishments, and contributions in each role.

🌟 Use action verbs to describe your achievements and quantify results wherever possible.

🌟 Showcase relevant and impactful projects you've worked on, both personal and professional.

🌟 Briefly describe each project's objective, technologies used and your specific contributions.

🌟 Include any notable outcomes or recognition the projects received.

🌟 List your technical skills, programming languages, tools, and technologies you're proficient in.

🌟 Add both hard skills (e.g., programming languages) and soft skills (e.g., teamwork, communication) relevant to the role.

🌟 Include links to your professional online profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, GitHub) to demonstrate your digital presence and contributions.

🌟 Ensure that your profiles are up-to-date. Check whether they are aligned with the information in your resume.

🌟 Highlight any awards, certifications, or recognition you've received during your career.

🌟 Mention any relevant milestones or achievements that set you apart from other candidates.

🌟 Use a clean and professional resume format that is easy to read and properly structured.

🌟 Avoid using complex graphics, tables, or fancy fonts that may not be ATS-friendly.

🌟 Keep the resume length concise. Typically one or two pages, to maintain recruiters' attention.

Get to know about the dos and don’ts of resume building in detail here.

Learn the art of crafting a compelling resume to learn how to get interview calls.

4. Best Ways to Find Job Openings:

The key to unlocking career opportunities lies in knowing where to look. 

The best places to begin are:

📌 Start by exploring the official careers page of companies you're interested in.

Many organisations regularly update their websites with job listings and opportunities.

📌 Use LinkedIn for job search, companies often post job openings on this platform. 

📌 Customise your job application materials and tap into the hidden job market to learn how to get interview calls from companies not actively advertising positions.

📌 Participate in job hackathons organised by companies or tech communities.

These events offer direct job opportunities and a chance to showcase your skills to potential employers.

📌 Use specialised job platforms such as Instahyre, AngelList (Wellfound), and Naukri. 

These platforms focus on tech and startup jobs, making them a great resource for finding relevant opportunities.

📌 Leverage your professional network and seek referrals from friends, colleagues, and alumni.

Referrals can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

📌 Attend industry-related events, tech conferences, and meetups. NETWORK!

It plays a crucial role in how to get interview calls. Many job opportunities are informally shared at such gatherings.

📌 Explore general job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster.

They often feature a wide range of job listings from different locations.

📌 Subscribe to company newsletters and mailing lists. As they sometimes announce job openings exclusively to their subscribers.

5. Best Ways to Apply to Product Based Companies:

A multi-faceted approach to job searching increases your chances of finding the right fit.

When it comes to applying for that dream job, the top three methods to consider are:

💠Directly via Company Page: 

Visit the company's official careers page and apply through their designated channels.

Show them you mean business by following their application process meticulously.

💠Referrals: 

Reach out to your network and seek referrals. But remember, a mere "hi" won't suffice.

Be genuine, express your interest, and showcase your qualifications to stand out.

💠Cold Mailing: 

Craft personalised emails to companies you admire (even if they haven't advertised job openings).

Demonstrate your passion and explain how you can contribute to their success. Your initiative might just lead to unexpected opportunities!

How to Contact:

• Find the appropriate contact person

• Use a

• Craft a

What to Write:

• Start with a

• Share your

• Emphasise how your skills and experience

About the Role and the Company:

• Showcase your

• Tailor your message

Proof of Work:

• Share examples of your past

• Provide

Resume:

• Include your

Follow Up:

• Give the company some time to respond before following up.

• After the initial email or application, send a

Remember, cold mailing requires a delicate balance of professionalism and personalisation. 

Showcase your enthusiasm, skills, and value proposition, and who knows? 

Your proactive approach might just open doors to unexpected and exciting opportunities!

3 Solid Interview Hack

Let me begin by saying the magic words: PREP! 

The ultimate interview hack is to invest time in thorough preparation. 

The more confident and knowledgeable you are, the better you'll perform. 

💠When to Schedule:

Try to schedule your interview during your peak performance hours. 

If you're a morning person, opt for morning interviews. 

Choose a time when you feel energised and focused, so you can present yourself at your best.

💠Interview Questions:

Be ready to face a variety of questions. 

Ranging from behavioural and situational to technical and problem-solving. 

Practice answering both common and role-specific questions. 

This will showcase your skills and suitability for the job.

💠Learning from Past Experiences:

Reflect on past interviews. 

Note areas where you felt confident and areas where you could improve. 

Analyse the feedback you received and identify patterns in the questions asked. Use these insights to enhance your preparation for future interviews.

Interviews are opportunities to shine and demonstrate your capabilities. Make use of all that you have in your arsenal to ace it!

Wrapping it Up

I've carefully outlined the effective strategies here on how to get interview calls. 

These tips helped me receive interview calls from top PBCs and exciting startups.

I genuinely believe these tips can make a significant difference for you too. 

If you ever feel stuck or need personalised guidance, don't hesitate to schedule a 1:1 session with me. Together, we can move forward with a goal-oriented approach. 

You can even kickstart your prep by booking a trial session at Preplaced, another way to connect with me.

Remember, two essential principles to keep close are: focus on self-development and never lose hope. 💫

Got any doubts or questions? Feel free to reach out to me – I'm here to support you on your path to success!

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Also read: 

Here are 14 Reasons why you are not getting interview calls

How to Switch From Service-based to Product-based Companies