If you’re aiming to break into the DevOps world but finding it tough to get hired, you might be focusing on the wrong strategies. The DevOps job market is competitive, but with the right approach, you can stand out and land that first role. This guide breaks down a tiered list of activities—ranked from low-impact to game-changing—that will maximize your chances of becoming a DevOps engineer. We’ll dive into what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a career that sets you up for long-term success. Let’s get started.
F-Tier: Low Leverage, Minimal Impact
These activities aren’t useless, but they won’t significantly boost your chances of landing a DevOps job. Think of them as the bare minimum—necessary but not enough to make you stand out.
High School Diploma
A high school diploma is a basic requirement for most jobs, but it’s not a differentiator in the DevOps field. Employers expect more advanced qualifications or skills to even consider you for a technical role. While it’s a starting point, it’s not going to open doors on its own.
Free YouTube Videos
YouTube is a treasure trove of free tutorials on DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines. However, free content often lacks structure and depth. It’s great for picking up basics or exploring new topics, but it’s not a substitute for hands-on experience or structured learning. Plus, employers don’t see “watched YouTube tutorials” as a credential.
Udemy Courses
Udemy offers affordable courses with certificates, and many people list them on LinkedIn. However, these certificates carry little weight. Many Udemy courses allow you to skip through content and still earn a certificate without proving mastery. While they can help you learn, they don’t signal to employers that you’re job-ready.
D-Tier: Slightly Better, But Still Limited
D-tier activities have some value, particularly for building foundational skills, but they’re not enough to propel you into a DevOps role.
IT Support Experience
Working in IT support can teach you valuable skills like troubleshooting, communication, and system administration. It’s also a relatively easy way to enter the tech industry. However, transitioning from support to DevOps can be challenging. Support roles are often seen as less technical, and you’ll need to actively demonstrate DevOps-specific skills to move up. Still, it’s a foot in the door.
C-Tier: Moderate Impact, But Not a Game-Changer
These activities are useful for building a foundation but fall short of what employers prioritize in DevOps candidates.
Associate-Level Degree
An associate degree in IT or a related field shows some commitment to learning, but it’s not as impactful as a bachelor’s degree or hands-on experience. It can help you get noticed for entry-level roles, but you’ll still need to pair it with technical skills and projects.
Bootcamps
DevOps bootcamps promise to teach you job-ready skills in a short time, but their reputation is mixed. While some bootcamps are effective, many cram too much into a few weeks, leaving graduates with shallow knowledge. Employers often view bootcamp certificates skeptically, especially compared to practical experience or high-end certifications. If you choose a bootcamp, focus on one with hands-on projects and a strong track record.
Entry-Level Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA A+, Azure Fundamentals, or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner are great for beginners. They show you understand basic IT or cloud concepts. However, they’re too foundational to impress DevOps hiring managers, who look for more advanced skills. These are stepping stones, not deal-clinchers.
B-Tier: Solid Steps Toward Employability
B-tier activities are more impactful and start to align with what employers value in DevOps candidates.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree—whether in computer science or an unrelated field—signals intelligence, discipline, and the ability to complete long-term projects. While a computer science degree gives you a slight edge, it’s not mandatory. Many successful DevOps engineers come from non-technical backgrounds but leverage their degrees to show they can learn and adapt. Pair this with technical skills, and you’re on the right track.
Programming Knowledge
As a DevOps engineer, you don’t need to be a software engineer, but you should know how to code. Languages like Python or Go are particularly useful for scripting, automating tasks, or stitching APIs together. Understanding fundamentals like functions, loops, and object-oriented programming is essential. While AI tools like GitHub Copilot can help, relying on them entirely will leave gaps in your skills. Coding is becoming a non-negotiable requirement, so invest time in mastering the basics.
A-Tier: High Leverage, Strong Impact
These activities significantly boost your profile and make you a more attractive candidate.
Technical Blog Posts
Writing deep, technical blog posts about DevOps topics—like setting up a CI/CD pipeline or debugging Kubernetes clusters—establishes you as an authority. These posts should be original, detailed, and free of AI-generated fluff. Share them on platforms like Medium, Dev.to, or your own website. Well-crafted posts can attract attention from recruiters and peers, especially if they gain traction online.
High-End Certifications
Certifications like Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), or Red Hat Certified System Administrator are gold standards in DevOps. Unlike entry-level certs, these require practical, hands-on exams where you solve real-world problems in a timed environment. They prove you can handle complex systems, making them a powerful addition to your resume.
Kubernetes Experience
Kubernetes is a cornerstone of modern DevOps, and practical experience with it is a major asset. You don’t need a formal job to gain this—set up a home lab to experiment with clusters, deployments, and GitOps workflows. Document your projects on GitHub to showcase your skills. A home lab gives you the freedom to break things, learn from mistakes, and build expertise without the pressure of a production environment.
Online Presence
A strong online presence on platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, and personal blogs signals that you’re active in the DevOps community. Share your projects, comment on industry trends, and engage with other professionals. A well-maintained GitHub repo with clean code and detailed READMEs can be as valuable as a resume. Similarly, a polished LinkedIn profile with technical posts and endorsements makes you more discoverable to recruiters.
S-Tier: The Ultimate Game-Changers
These are the activities that will give you the highest chance of landing a DevOps job. Focus on these to fast-track your career.
Actual Job Experience
Nothing beats real-world experience as a junior DevOps engineer. Even one year of working with tools like Terraform, Jenkins, or Kubernetes in a professional setting makes your resume stand out. If you’re just starting, consider taking a lower-paying role to gain this experience. The skills you build in your first year will pay off tenfold over your career, potentially leading to six-figure salaries within a few years.
Professional Network
A strong network of industry professionals—especially senior DevOps engineers or hiring managers—can open doors to unadvertised jobs. Many roles are filled through referrals rather than job boards. Attend meetups, join online communities, or connect with peers on LinkedIn. Some companies even offer referral bonuses (e.g., $3,000 per hired candidate), incentivizing employees to recommend strong candidates. Building genuine relationships is key.
Verified Internship Experience
Internships are a proven way to gain experience and credibility, especially if you’re caught in the “need experience to get a job, need a job to get experience” loop. A structured internship that includes real projects, mentorship, and verifiable outcomes can bridge this gap. For example, programs like the CubeCraft internship (a fictional example for this guide) offer courses, hands-on projects, and a community of professionals. Completing such a program allows you to list “Junior DevOps Engineer” on your resume, backed by verified skills and references.
How to Build a Winning Strategy
To land your first DevOps job, prioritize S-tier and A-tier activities while supplementing with B-tier skills. Here’s a step-by-step plan:
- Start with a Home Lab: Set up a Kubernetes cluster or CI/CD pipeline in a home lab. Document your work on GitHub. This builds practical skills and a portfolio.
- Earn High-End Certifications: Aim for certifications like CKA or AWS Solutions Architect Associate. These validate your technical expertise and make your resume stand out.
- Join a Community: Engage with DevOps communities on Discord, Reddit, or platforms like CubeCraft. Network with professionals, ask questions, and seek mentorship.
- Pursue an Internship: Look for structured internships that offer real-world projects and verifiable experience. These can be remote or local, depending on your location.
- Create Content: Write technical blog posts or record YouTube tutorials about your projects. Share them on LinkedIn and Dev.to to build your online presence.
- Network Strategically: Connect with senior engineers and hiring managers. Attend virtual or in-person meetups and follow up with personalized messages.
- Apply Aggressively: Tailor your resume for each job, highlighting your projects, certifications, and internship experience. Use your network to get referrals.
Why DevOps is Worth It
DevOps is a high-demand field with excellent earning potential. According to industry data, junior DevOps engineers can earn $60,000–$80,000 annually, while senior engineers often exceed $120,000. The role combines technical challenges, collaboration, and constant learning, making it rewarding for those who enjoy problem-solving. By focusing on high-leverage activities, you can break into this field and build a career that’s both fulfilling and lucrative.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on Free Content Alone: Free tutorials are great for learning but won’t make you job-ready. Combine them with hands-on projects.
- Skipping Networking: Jobs often come through referrals, so don’t underestimate the power of relationships.
- Overvaluing Low-Tier Certs: Entry-level certifications are a start, but they’re not enough to compete in DevOps.
- Ignoring GitHub: A strong GitHub profile with documented projects is a must for showcasing your skills.
- Being Picky Early On: Don’t hold out for a high salary in your first role. Focus on gaining experience, even if it means starting small.
Conclusion
Landing your first DevOps job requires a mix of technical skills, practical experience, and strategic networking. By focusing on S-tier activities like job experience, internships, and professional networks, and supplementing with A-tier efforts like certifications and blog posts, you can position yourself as a top candidate. Start small, build your skills, and stay persistent. The DevOps field is wide open for those willing to put in the work.
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