If your friends are judging each other's 'status' by their employer (or any other metric really) then IMHO they aren't worth keeping as 'friends'.
Lots of cultures heavily lean on status for peer groups, dating, marriage.
Some cultures eat their fellow humans. Just because something is part of culture doesn't imply it is a good thing. But of course it is not easy to escape the system one is born into, let alone change it.
How about doing it for the pay?
> modicum of status
It helps meaningfully with getting interviews at places for those of us who didn't go to top tier schools
Is it unwise to pursue a FAANG job for status? I’m currently looking to do this to rehabilitate my CV for downstream opportunity.
I don't necessarily think it's unwise as such but I think it's good to clear and honest with your intentions. If you're doing it for status then be honest with yourself about it.
The main reason is relocation to US to be completely honest.
However, I am truly inspired by some of them. It would definitely be cool to work at Netflix, cause I genuinely love what they do