Do people get a FAANG interview with no recognizable credentials? Surely they have to sift the CVs somehow?

For the F in that list, at least, definitely. Though that was because they used a different metric to sift/choose me for an interview (and a decade of experience) despite my lack of tertiary education.

How did you get the interview? They must get a lot of junk applications, what did you write to make them actually look at you instead of direct to trash, and then decide to interview?

They contacted me directly, likely because of my (admittedly small) feedback on their beta github.

easiest way to shortcircuit the process is to reach out to someone through linked in and ask for a referral. if you're really who you claim to be in your profile here then you shouldn't have any trouble getting an interview.

Well I'm not looking for myself. Was wondering if it's the case that they'll interview any CS grad?

I mean, recruiters get paid sizable commissions for each hire they make, and they really dont care where you went to school as long as they can sell you to the company. If you can sell yourself to a recruiter (low bar) then you can get an interview.

of course they need credentials but undergrad at decent state school is much more widely available credential than ivy+. hell FB hires high school grads into their FBU program (for the gap summer between high school and uni).

like you don't get it: go here https://www.hudsonrivertrading.com/careers/job/?gh_jid=35621... and find the dropdown for school ("what university are you currently attending").