A question I have been receiving lately is, “Will an AWS certification alone land me a cloud job?” The short answer is no. AWS certifications alone won’t guarantee you a job in the cloud industry. This is something I’ve been explaining for years, and it’s even more true today. If you’re learning cloud, it’s crucial to understand that AWS certifications don’t provide a direct pathway into cloud roles, nor do they equip you with all the skills necessary to stand out in the job market.
In this post, I’m going to outline the five exact steps you need to follow after earning your AWS certification to dramatically increase your chances of landing a cloud job. By following the roadmap I’m about to share, you’ll learn how to turn your AWS certification into a successful cloud career.
The Value of AWS Certifications
Let me clarify by saying that AWS certifications do hold value. They can be very beneficial, especially early in your cloud journey. These certifications will help you build a foundational understanding of the cloud and provided a structured learning path for important concepts and services.
Each certification focuses on specific areas of cloud knowledge. For instance, if we look at the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate exam guide, we see that it’s organized into four domains: designing secure, resilient, scalable, and cost-optimized architectures. Within each domain, there are task statements like “design secure access to AWS S3 resources”. This structure gives you a clear learning path and helps you focus on the core skills required for the exam.
Certifications and Credibility
Getting AWS certified also adds credibility to your resume. While some certifications are more challenging than others, having any AWS certification shows recruiters and hiring managers that you’re serious about your cloud journey and willing to invest time in your skill development. For those just starting out, certifications demonstrate a specific interest in cloud computing. That said, I wouldn’t recommend relying solely on certifications to land a cloud job.
Why Projects Matter: Adwoa vs. Kwame
Let me use this example. Adwoa worked hard to pass the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification. She added it to her resume, applied to a few jobs, and waited for interviews. However, despite sending out dozens of applications, she didn’t receive any callbacks. Why? Because Adwoa didn’t build any real-world projects to showcase her skills. She had no proof that she could apply what she learned in practical scenarios.
Now, let’s talk about Kwame. Like Adwoa, Kwame passed the same certification. But instead of stopping there, he built a portfolio of projects, including a serverless web app using AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB. He posted his projects on GitHub and shared them on LinkedIn. As a result, he was invited to multiple interviews and ultimately landed a job as a Cloud Engineer.
The takeaway? AWS certifications alone are not enough to get you a job. Employers want to see how you can apply your knowledge in real-world situations.
Turning Your AWS Certification Into a Cloud Job: A 5-Step Roadmap
Now, let’s dive into the five-step roadmap I recommend to turn your AWS certification into a cloud job:
- Build Hands-On Experience
After getting certified, start by building hands-on projects. You could build a traditional three-tier web application with a front-end, back-end, and database layer, or experiment with serverless architectures. The key is to create projects that showcase your ability to design and implement solutions using AWS services. Share these projects on GitHub and LinkedIn, and document them with screenshots and explanations of the architecture. - Learn IT Fundamentals
AWS certifications assume a basic understanding of IT concepts, but many people struggle with networking, security, and other essential areas. Gaining knowledge in networking, compute, databases, storage, and security will be incredibly valuable in cloud interviews. You don’t need to be an expert, but a solid foundation will help you answer technical questions during the interview process. - Develop Soft Skills
Beyond technical knowledge, communication and collaboration skills are crucial for most cloud roles. Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical people, and participate in workshops and hackathons to build teamwork and presentation skills. - Network Actively
Networking can open doors that aren’t always available through job applications alone. When I applied for an AWS internship, I reached out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn, which helped me stand out. Get involved in tech communities, attend meetups, and engage in online forums to build your professional network. - Prepare for Interviews
Finally, the interview process itself is critical. Employers want to know how you think, troubleshoot, and solve real-world challenges. Prepare to answer cloud-related questions, walk through architectural scenarios, and solve problems on the spot. Mock interviews can help you get comfortable with this process.
Final thoughts
And there you have it – the five-step roadmap I recommend to turn your AWS certification into a cloud job. While certifications are useful, they’re just the starting point. Real-world experience, foundational IT knowledge, soft skills, networking and interview preparation are all crucial to landing your dream role.
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Stay Clouding!