I'm so confused. I was applying for ML Scientist position at a FAANG company earlier this week, then the recruiter for the req called me. First, he seemed to made a big issue that I don't have a CS background even though it's an ML scientist position and not pure SWE. I guess having top tier papers at ML conferences don't count and he kept asking me how much I code for my work.. like all the time? After saying I'm not a good fit, then he says my profile is strong and would like to get me into the loop. So I guess my ML papers mean something now? At this point I'm thinking, clearly you think I'm worth something if not you won't be calling me. But at the same time making a fuss that I made a bad choice in what degree I did for my bachelor's degree? Also keep dissuading me by saying the coding bar is very high... and he couldn't clarify that. Unless it's FB leetcode hard in 20min or Airbnb/Pinterest SWE, I can handle it. Then when I let slip that I have other FANG interviews (and I do), he was so surprised. Also I checked the req during this conversation, and I got rejected flat out. So I am rejected or not? Can you guys figure out what this recruiter wants?
Yes, most tech companies make a big deal about not having a CS degree. They don't understand with the pool of knowledge around, one can actually learn all that shit by themselves if one wants to. They are stupid, just move on.
Not true. I recently had SWE onsite interviews at Google, Airbnb, Square and Uber with a shitty liberal arts college degree and 1.5 YOE. FB recruited me without applying, and I failed the phone screen
How did you manage to get all those calls with no CS degree?
Didn't Google just say that they removed the degree requirements?
Not sure about Google but Microsoft didn't call me inspite of referrals. And then later the recruiter was trying to tell me that I am not good enough for the position because they are technical positions, are coding heavy, and being a non-CS degree holder he wasn't sure if I understood the level required for them.
They will eventually learn
Your papers mean shit. You are rejected!
You are rejected. Keeping you in the loop means if a match comes up in the future, he would consider you again. Pretty much a nice way to say goodbye.