What is the difference between working in an Internet company and a software company?

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My daily job is to help programmers change jobs. I often meet people who want to change from software companies to Internet companies, and some who want to change from Internet companies to software companies (because they think the work intensity is lower). One question they are very concerned about is: which is better, software companies or Internet companies?

In fact, there is no difference between the two, but there is one that is more suitable for you, and the scenery on the other side is not necessarily more beautiful. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle. I will explain the differences between working in these two companies, and programmer friends who are interested in this will understand after reading it.

1. In which companies do software company programmers work?

When many people talk about software companies, they think of IBM, Cisco and the like. In fact, just like VCs are not limited to Sequoia and IDG, software companies are also diverse and can be roughly divided into the following four categories:

a. Foreign companies

Mostly American-funded, with good office environment and benefits

· There are requirements for employees’ English proficiency when recruiting

· The system is strict, and there is no possibility of deducting wages or cheating employees

Some companies have a fixed product line and lack innovation. Employees are just a screw in the company and cannot grow.

Typical companies: IBM, Cisco, Adobe

b. Small private companies

Small scale, the typical situation is that the boss has connections and industry resources, and recruits a group of programmers to work for him

· Employee salaries vary, some bosses are generous while others are stingy

· Small companies have risks. Whether a software company sells software, solutions or services, it is customer-centric. Therefore, if a small company cannot receive projects for a long time or is owed money by customers, the boss may delay wages or directly fire employees.

· Summary in one sentence: When working in this kind of company, the boss’s character is very important

c. Large private enterprises: Typical companies include Kingdee and UFIDA

d. Enterprises with state-owned capital background: A typical example is "Zhongke XX Software Company", which has a similar atmosphere to state-owned enterprises

2. How much can a programmer working in a software company earn?

For fresh graduates or programmers with one or two years of work experience, the average salary is: foreign companies > large domestic companies > small private companies

Salary level of fresh graduates

Foreign companies: 130,000~200,000 yuan/year

Large private enterprises: 4~10k/month

Small private companies: There is a big difference. I have seen fresh graduates making 3K/month and 8K/month.

3. Career development of programmers in software companies

One path is to take the technical route and become the technical leader

Another way is to work for a while and then switch from technology to technology management

4. Job-hopping destinations of programmers in software companies

· As the Internet became popular, I switched to an Internet company

Other software companies, such as switching from a small company to a large foreign company

· IT departments of banks and financial enterprises, with more money and less work

· Job-hopping to the client, Party B to Party A

5. Where do programmers from Internet companies work?

Foreign companies (in China): listed companies such as Google, as well as star startups such as Airbnb and Uber

BAT, JD.com, Tuniu and other listed companies

Startups in Series B and above

Unfunded, angel, and Series A startups

6. How much do programmers in Internet companies earn?

· Foreign companies, listed companies, and some startups in round B and before round B all have relatively high salaries. For example, Alibaba's wholesale price for fresh graduates is 13K*15 months. For more details, I recommend reading Data Speaks: Data Speaks: What kind of programmers are the most sought-after? - Programmer's Self-cultivation - Zhihu Column

· As Internet companies have been paying higher and higher salaries to fresh graduates in the past two years, many Internet companies have experienced salary inversion: in the same company, a programmer who has worked for two years may not earn as much as a fresh graduate who has just joined the company.

· The salaries offered by foreign companies and listed companies are not necessarily higher than those offered by startups. At a time when TMT investment is hot, many startups that have raised funds and are not short of money will offer salaries 20-50% higher than those offered by BAT in order to attract talent.

· Some startups will use options as an excuse to lower wages. For this situation, I recommend that programmers read: Is it worth it for programmers to join startups for options?

7. What are the differences between working in software companies and Internet companies?

Programmers in software companies typically work 965, that is, starting work at 9 am and leaving get off work at 6 pm, working 5 days a week. Compared with the typical 996 of Internet companies, the work intensity is much lighter.

Some software companies have human resources outsourcing, requiring employees to travel to clients for several months. Programmers who apply for jobs in software companies can ask clearly during the interview whether they need to travel frequently.

8. What are the differences in working environment and atmosphere between software companies and Internet companies?

As for the office environment, I prefer Internet companies, especially Internet startups.

Typical software company office environment:

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Internet startups:

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More importantly, the management of Internet startups is flatter, and colleagues are more "trendy" - more open, adapting to trends, and bringing new ideas.

For example, in Internet startups, people will discuss the experience of using GoPro cameras, and the boss drives a Tesla instead of a Mercedes-Benz or BMW, which is unlikely to happen in software companies. In such companies, their technology development and market operations are often very up-to-date.