Completing the cloud certification training with a reputable trade school or computer technician programs is the first step towards your dream IT career. However, your journey is not finished yet.
The next step is to actually get the cloud certification by sitting for the exam, either by aiming at vendor-neutral certs like CompTIA Cloud Essential+ or vendor-specific credentials like AZ-900 by Microsoft.
However, it should be noted that getting a certification doesn’t automatically translate to you getting a job. Not to mention the job market demands more than just certs.
With that said, here’s how you can land a job after your IT training.
Step 1: Earn a Cloud Certification
The first priority after completing your training should be getting certified. You have 4 options:
CompTIA Cloud Essential+: This is offered by CompTIA, and is the go-to choice for beginners who want to learn about cloud computing but don’t want to commit to any specific vendor.
Amazon AWS: This is the largest cloud platform in the world, and it also offers a free version for practice (AWS Free Tier). However, it should be noted that due to the demand, it is highly competitive.
Microsoft Azure (AZ-900): This is the second-largest cloud platform, and the go-to choice for large enterprises. If you are familiar with Microsoft and Windows/Linux environments, you should consider this certification.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Although not as big as the other two platforms, it is the fastest-growing one. Therefore, if you want to be part of a growing cloud platform, this is the credential to aim for.
Step 2: Build Your Digital Portfolio with Hands-On Projects
Now, if you’ve completed your cloud certification training from a reputable school, chances are you already have some hands-on experience, thanks to simulation labs.
The reason why it’s important to build a portfolio is that recruiters and employers want to test your skills without having to prolong the interview sessions.
If your IT, cloud, or computer technician program didn’t provide you with hands-on training, here’s how you can build a digital portfolio:
Create Real-World Projects: Design and deploy your own solutions, instead of just following tutorials from YouTube. For instance, use Azure (Microsoft’s cloud platform) to create a virtual network.
Document Your Work: No matter what cloud computing you’re doing for your portfolio, it is essential that you document everything. Pro tip: Write detailed README files explaining the problem, what specific service you used, and, naturally, the steps you used to overcome an issue or create a network.
Step 3: Tailor Your Resume and Online Brand
This goes without saying, but you also need to optimize your resume to stand out in the competitive cloud computing market. Your resume (along with your portfolio) should clearly highlight your skills and how you use them to solve problems.
However, it is easier said than done. Therefore, here are two key points to help you optimize your resume:
- Instead of saying “worked with this platform for storage”, mention “designed and implemented a storage solution using this specific platform”.
- If you have any prior experience in IT, mention how that translates to cloud computing and how it can benefit the company.
Step 4: Practice For the Interview
Interviews can be tricky, depending on your potential employers; however, with proper practice (mock interviews), you can ace them. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Always answer with a scenario-based aspect. This shows the employers that you actually understand the issue or know how to diagnose the problem.
Prior to the interview, practice explaining your projects and also try to counter your explanation with another question. You can always ask a friend to help you with this. Pro Tip: Explore online forums and platforms like on Reddit to connect with industry experts.