[rel2thr]

My pro-tip if you want one of these jobs and are not great at leetcoding, try to get another role at the company and then transfer over.

Apply as a data analyst, theres no leetcoding, you just need to demonstrate sql knowledge and experience working with the business. And faang data analysts are paid as much as many non-faang engineers.

Once you are in, you will be working with engineers, just do a good job, and express interest in working on the software team. The bar will be much much lower than an external candidate.

I would say 20-25% of engineers at these companies come from a non-traditional route like this.

[iLoveOncall]

This is absolutely wrong, at least for the FAANG where I work (Amazon).

Not only are data analysis jobs given to business grads and are non-tech roles, they also do not work with software engineers at all and I guarantee you you will hate every second of your job in those positions because of how uninteresting it is.

After that, if you do want to switch roles, you will either have to go through a full interview loop and held to the same standard as an external candidate, or you will have to go through an even more grueling job title change process which will take months, with no guarantee of being approved (and to be fair, if you're a data analyst doing a data analyst's job, has no chance of being approved).

[a_and]

In my experience this is entirely incorrect. Being a strong outside candidate (assuming "strong"=="good at leetcode") is going to make you much more attractive then hoping you're noticed internally.

You're likely to get more bang for your buck by spending your time grinding Leetcode, than learning how to be a data analyst and networking your way into a SWE position.

Context: Was Sr+ at a FAANG, have had offers from 2 others.

[nfRfqX5n]

Not sure if this would work at a big tech company, but I’ve def seen it at mid sized companies