No the OP, but:

They're likely viewing them as similar to certifications. Different industries treat certifications differently.

Enterprise technologies like Java and .NET and IBM products are helpful if you are aiming for that sort of job.

But, if you are looking at more open-source oriented shop, they give the impression that you are focusing on trying to look accomplished. It can look like you are trying to appeal to the wrong crowd, which means your priorities don't align with what they are looking for.

So what would be a better alternative to make your resume stand out to get a job that doesn't include doing a full degree?

Honestly?

Make stuff. Get patches submitted to relevant open source projects. Make a small project that's actually finished (bonus if it's demo-able).

Wait, are people applying for jobs after only doing an online nanodegree? I wouldn't employ those people either.

This is bad advice. No one has time to look at your open source patches and evaluate them.

Several hiring managers have told me this.

> This is bad advice. No one has time to look at your open source patches and evaluate them.

The last time I was asked to screen and interview candidates I took the time to check out all portfolios, including github/gitlab/sourceforge profiles and projects.

In a few cases the candidate's portfolio work was decisive to greenlight and reject job apllicants.

It's better than "be good".

Getting interviews isn't the hard part. Getting through them is.

Take graduate CS classes online. Or get a masters online like https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/graduate-degrees... or the many others available.