I am a Software Engineer contractor at Meta. In my career (4.5 YOE), I mostly worked in average startups and was just lucky enough to find this opportunity (my first big company), and go through a pretty easy interview process as they were looking for someone who had experience in working on a specific project (won't disclose which one). The contract is initially for 8 months, with scope for extension to 12-18 based on budget/deadlines. My manager told me that if I wish to apply for a permanent position, I'd have to go through the standard permanent process (haven't asked yet whether I might be able to skip some stage or not). However, now with the hiring freeze, I feel my chances of being hired as an FTE are much lower (imposter syndrome is kicking in hard), and I do wonder how will this experience be considered if I won't be receiving an extension and I have to re-enter the job market? Will, it really boost my appeal at least at resume screening (and therefore gain me more interviews?) or are FAANG contractors considered second-class citizens in terms of their ability? I know it might also depend on what do I do at Meta, but let's say might be internal/not exciting and so it won't generate any "wow" factor. Also curious if any of you have first-hand experience with contractors' colleagues who made the switch from contractors to FTE. YOE:4.5 TC: ~150k #meta #facebook #engineering #career
Usually contractors are used to complete the BS that a team needs done but doesn’t want to use a real engineer’s time for. So contracting at FAANG or anywhere doesn’t really signal much about your ability outside being willing to do grunt work
well, I had to do BS work as permanent too in previous places, so if I have to get crap in my face, Meta's crap would certainly smell better.
I got two former contractor colleagues. Both were at Microsoft then joined Amazon full time. It might be a good way into faang, just fyi.
nice to know! thank you!
OP FYI what you are doing is confirmation bias, if you haven't realised it already.
IMO, having big name on ur CV is always a plus. Also, I'm curious that can't you just write it as Meta - Software Engineer on your CV? After getting the interview opportunity, the only thing that matters is ur LeetCode skill. In my country, some big N hires a lot of intern as contractors through third-party agency, just because they don't want to pay the 🥜 that they deserve. However, these interns still wrote FAANG - SWE intern on their CV and didn't seem like having trouble on getting big N FTE job.
yes that would be the plan, however at interview stage they'd ask why I left so early, so I still need to tell them I was a contractor. But I guess once I have half foot through the door...
Hi OP, I have some questions about Meta CW. Can I dm you?
You want to avoid being a contractor at all costs. It doesn't matter how prestigious the company is, what people will see in your resume is that you were offered a second class job and you took it, and that will signal to the world that you agree that you're not good enough for a FT position. Not sure if Meta is different, but converting chances are usually fairy tales to get folks to accept the deal. It won't boost you resume, it'll stain it. Don't take it, go do LC and apply for FT positions until you get in.
100%
appreciate your point of view, but I am not in a privileged position as many others here coming from prestigious universities or having experience in top companies already. I am a self-taught web dev and never got a really great company on my CV. It might not open all the doors, but saying that i's going to "stain" my CV is incorrect in my circumstances