I expect that it makes networking and work experience a lot more important. A friend of mine who taught himself programming tells me that his interviews tend to start with either "A literature degree?" or "It looks like you're a self-taught programmer." So you at least get a predictable icebreaker out of it.

The part that it makes tough is getting that interview. If it's a company that bothers to click your resume's Github link and see some work samples, you're probably OK. If it's a big company with a crappy HR filter on incoming applicants, you might have to find another way to get a foot in the door.

I know Google has a pretty good chunk of people without CS degrees. I'm curious if any self-taught people manage to get in there as a first job in the industry, like grads hired fresh out of college.