How to break into non-tech FAANG roles?

Studio71
wYlu08

Studio71

wYlu08
Mar 26 15 Comments

Currently a project manager looking to get into non-tech FAANG (or comparable) roles, mostly HR/Operations/non-tech PjM. I’ve gone through a handful of interviews with TikTok, Meta, Twitch, LinkedIn, etc varying from getting to hiring managers or team matching to just only getting screened by recruiters. Many apps just get passed over before even speaking with recruiters. I’ve applied directly through career sites, from random referrals and even old colleague referrals as well.

Haven’t been able to get any offers from anywhere though. Getting a little demoralized with the consistent negative results, interviewing is already tough as is.

Been job hunting for 11 months now. Are there ever any early career roles at these companies that are true entry-level? The ones I’m able to find are only open to new grads which I’m not. But I feel like that may be my best bet at being competitive enough, not sure if that’s been the problem.

YOE: 6
TC: 50k

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TOP 15 Comments
  • But why? What is it about these non-tech roles at FAANG that are attractive over a non-tech role elsewhere? Do you even like tech or are you chasing money?

    FAANG doesn’t hire project managers because there’s no space for this as a singular role.

    This early in your career you should be prioritizing learning, development, and exploration, not beelining for FAANG simply because. Engineers do it because these companies are solving hard problems that aren’t being solved elsewhere (or so they believe). For your role it doesn’t make sense and you need to shift priorities before the industry leaves you behind.
    Mar 26 2
    • Meta
      Base?

      Go to company page Meta

      Base?
      Engineers don't chase money? TC is literally the only thing we talk about on this site and I don't blame them one bit.

      Want to feel rewarded? Go volunteer at an animal shelter. I'm here to get paid.

      So let's not shame people for seeking out class leading pay and benefits.
      Mar 26
    • Studio71
      wYlu08

      Studio71

      wYlu08
      OP
      Thank you both for your responses.

      I’ll admit that I am looking at FAANG TC, who doesn’t? Nowhere else really competes.

      But additionally, I am genuinely interested with the intersections of tech/social product and people/consumers. Leading me to FAANG as opposed to fintech, biotech, finance, entertainment/media, sales, etc.

      I’ve seen PgM/Operations roles that I’d love to do with these companies as I want to be part of their mission but I’m not looking to be a SWE or PM. I’m wondering how to break into those types of roles, HR, People Ops (but not recruiting). The roles I tend to find are all more senior and I never see any true entry level/junior roles.
      Mar 26
  • Google
    cjNf16

    Go to company page Google

    cjNf16
    This one hits close to home. I’m a PGM in fang and representative on the phrase “or equivalent experience”. I actually think there is a large recruiting opportunity for companies to hire a non tech programme/project experienced people.

    “FAANG doesn’t hire project managers because there’s no space for this as a singular role.” I have no idea what this person is on about, In my company it’s one of the biggest jobs by volume under SWE/Hardware. They are called “programme managers”

    there are loads of “how to get a PGM job” videos on YouTube and prep questions. Ideally they are looking for someone that can run a program/project, keep it on track, progress through blockers, influence, work in ambiguity and get the job done. Your comms have to be top notch.
    Mar 26 3
    • Google
      cjNf16

      Go to company page Google

      cjNf16
      Project and programme are specific but also used interchangeably.

      Projects can make up a programme and smaller programmes can make up larger programmes.

      Product managers (who I would say is the CEO of a area) will then engage a PGM to get the programme working. A programme can be seen as the critical pieces of several projects needed for MVP. After MVP there may still be project completions required (documentation, testing, reporting needed) but the main thing is done.

      Typically the parts of a programme (the projects)are executed by direct reports or ICs. But they are still PGMs

      The programmes I work on have SWE involved but are not the bulk of the work. An example would be bringing on a vendor, lot of legal and contracts. Walking the vendor through onboarding process, engineers working on APIs etc and then vendor managers working on payments etc.
      Mar 26
    • Meta
      Base?

      Go to company page Meta

      Base?
      Are project management and program management different? Yes. Do I see them constantly interchanged all the time because so few know the difference? Also yes.
      Mar 27
  • Meta
    slowpokeco

    Go to company page Meta

    slowpokeco
    I recently hired for a more entry level project manager role for my team (targeting IC3/IC4). The recruiter only passed on the ones that made it through the initial resume review + screen, but I still looked over 20-30 highly qualified resumes that we received in a manner of days.

    Competition for non-tech roles is very high, mostly because of the two things you mentioned (Competitive pay and annual performance reviews leading to a good career trajectory for high performers, opportunities to work on high complexity projects).

    It sounds like you’re doing all that you can. Tailoring your resume to the specific role you’re applying for, asking for referrals from people at the company. Keep grinding and best of luck!
    Mar 26 5
    • Studio71
      wYlu08

      Studio71

      wYlu08
      OP
      I see. Really appreciate the context and insight! Yeah, definitely a super competitive path getting a foot into the door without past company prestige on the resume or a specifically directly involved team referral for the non-tech roles. Just landing an interview alone is already extremely tough.

      Hopefully one of these days it pans out :)
      Mar 26
    • New
      thetwo127

      New

      thetwo127
      Meta - if a role is no longer accepting applications and taken down from website, is it still possible to get referred?
      Mar 27
  • Meta
    Metaversey

    Go to company page Meta

    Metaversey
    Usually program manager roles are ic4+ at least per my understanding for Meta. 6 YOE can make the cut for IC4 but you need to have relevant experience of complex project management or stakeholder negotiation/influencing.

    You might want to look for IC2/3 roles. Meta has a lot of those in Global Operations org.

    HR and recruiting is entirely different. If you mix those in then i think the hiring team wont be thrilled to hear that you are also considering those. Non tech is very broad. You still need to narrow down whats your interest and strength, eg is it vendor management? Ops excellence? Policy? Business development? Partnerships? Communications? Etc
    Mar 26 1
    • Studio71
      wYlu08

      Studio71

      wYlu08
      OP
      That’s what I’ve been trying to look out for, but it’s sometimes tough to tell from the external job descriptions what bands they’re looking for.

      I’ve seen some where the tasks sound aligned with what I’m currently doing but the leveling is much higher than what is actually posted (after reaching out to people internally).

      Vendor management, ops excellence or comms would be my ideal trajectory
      Mar 26