How to Get a Cloud Engineering Job with No Experience

October 7, 2025

Step-by-step strategies, actionable projects, and certification paths to land your first cloud engineering role without prior experience.

Last Updated: October 2025

Breaking into cloud engineering without prior experience is challenging but absolutely achievable. The key is proving you can do the work before anyone pays you to do it. This means building real projects, earning credible certifications, and demonstrating problem-solving skills that hiring managers value. Unlike traditional career paths that require years of credentials, cloud engineering rewards demonstrable skills—code you've shipped, infrastructure you've deployed, and problems you've solved. This guide walks through actionable strategies to position yourself for your first cloud role, even if you're starting from scratch.

Start with Foundations: What You Need to Learn First

Before diving into cloud platforms, you need a solid technical foundation. Cloud engineering builds on core IT and development skills, and skipping these fundamentals will leave gaps that surface during interviews or on the job.

Core Technical Skills to Master

Linux fundamentals. Most cloud workloads run on Linux. Get comfortable with the command line: navigating directories (cd, ls, pwd), managing files (cp, mv, rm), viewing logs (cat, tail, grep), and understanding permissions (chmod, chown). Install a Linux distribution locally or spin up a free-tier EC2 instance to practice.
Networking basics. Understand how data flows across the internet. Learn about IP addressing, DNS, subnets, routing tables, firewalls, and load balancers. You don't need a CCNA, but you should be able to explain what a VPC is and how subnets isolate traffic.
Scripting and automation. Cloud engineers automate repetitive tasks. Pick a language—Python is the most versatile, Bash works for quick scripts, and PowerShell is essential in Windows-heavy shops. Start small: write a script to back up files, parse log files, or automate a deployment.
Version control with Git. Every cloud engineering team uses Git. Learn the basics: cloning repos, creating branches, committing changes, merging code, and resolving conflicts. Host your projects on GitHub so hiring managers can see your work.

Build Portfolio Projects: Show Don't Tell

Hiring managers want proof you can deliver. Portfolio projects are your evidence. They demonstrate technical skills, problem-solving ability, and initiative—qualities that matter more than years of experience.

Project Ideas That Signal Job-Readiness

Deploy a web application with CI/CD. Build a simple web app (a to-do list, blog, or API), containerize it with Docker, and deploy it to AWS, Azure, or GCP using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps. Add automated tests and a deployment pipeline. Document the architecture and deployment process in a README.
Infrastructure-as-code project. Use Terraform or CloudFormation to provision a complete environment: VPC, subnets, security groups, compute instances, and a database. Store the code in Git and include instructions for others to deploy it. This shows you understand reproducible infrastructure.
Monitoring and alerting setup. Deploy a service, instrument it with CloudWatch, Prometheus, or Azure Monitor, and create dashboards and alerts. Write a postmortem for a simulated incident. This demonstrates operational maturity.
Cost optimization analysis. Spin up resources in a free-tier account, analyze spending with cost explorer tools, and document how you'd reduce waste. This shows business awareness—a trait many junior engineers lack.

Best Practices for Portfolio Projects

Document everything. Write clear READMEs explaining what you built, why you made specific design choices, and how to reproduce your work. Treat your GitHub as a portfolio site.
Make it public. Hiring managers want to see your code. Public repos signal confidence and transparency. If you're worried about quality, remember that showing iterative improvement is better than showing nothing.
Focus on real-world problems. Avoid tutorials that everyone follows. Solve a problem you care about or mimic something you've seen in job descriptions. Unique projects stand out.
Write blog posts about your projects. Describe what you built, challenges you faced, and lessons learned. This demonstrates communication skills and helps with SEO if you're building a personal brand.

Earn Certifications: Validate Your Knowledge

Certifications won't get you a job by themselves, but they signal credibility and commitment. For candidates without work experience, they're especially valuable because they provide third-party validation of your skills.

Which Certifications to Pursue First

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03). The most recognized entry-level cloud certification. Covers core AWS services, architecture best practices, and cost optimization. Ideal if you're targeting AWS jobs.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104). Focuses on managing Azure resources, virtual networks, identity, and governance. Best for Azure jobs or enterprise environments.
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE). Covers GCP infrastructure, networking, and deployment. Less common than AWS or Azure, but valuable if targeting GCP jobs.

Certification Strategy

Start with one cloud platform. Don't spread yourself thin. Master AWS, Azure, or GCP deeply before adding others. Most companies use one primary platform.
Combine study with hands-on practice. Don't just memorize answers. Build projects that use the services covered in the exam. This solidifies concepts and gives you talking points for interviews.
Use free-tier accounts aggressively. AWS, Azure, and GCP all offer free tiers. Use them to practice deploying services, troubleshooting issues, and experimenting without cost.

Network Strategically: Build Relationships That Open Doors

Many cloud engineering jobs are never publicly posted. Networking helps you access the hidden job market and get referrals that skip you past resume filters.

Actionable Networking Tactics

Join cloud communities. Participate in forums like Reddit's r/devops, r/aws, or r/azure. Join Slack communities, Discord servers, or local meetups focused on cloud engineering. Answer questions, share your projects, and build visibility.
Connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Follow cloud engineers, recruiters, and hiring managers. Comment on their posts, share your projects, and send personalized connection requests. Don't just ask for jobs—build genuine relationships.
Attend virtual and in-person events. AWS, Azure, and GCP host user groups and conferences (AWS re:Invent, Microsoft Ignite, Google Cloud Next). Attend talks, ask questions, and network with attendees. Many companies recruit at these events.
Contribute to open-source projects. Find cloud-related open-source projects on GitHub and contribute. This builds credibility, expands your network, and gives you real-world collaboration experience.

Tailor Your Resume and Application: Stand Out in a Crowded Field

Without experience, your resume needs to highlight projects, certifications, and skills in a way that proves you can do the job.

Resume Best Practices for Entry-Level Cloud Engineers

Lead with a strong summary. Write 2-3 sentences explaining your background, skills, and what you're looking for. Example: "Self-taught cloud engineer with AWS SAA certification. Built and deployed CI/CD pipelines using Terraform and GitHub Actions. Seeking junior cloud engineer role to support infrastructure automation."
Create a projects section. List your portfolio projects with bullet points describing technologies used, problems solved, and outcomes. Link to GitHub repos and live demos.
List certifications prominently. Put certifications near the top, especially if they're relevant to the role. Include the certification name, issuing organization, and date.
Quantify impact where possible. Even in personal projects, use numbers: "Reduced deployment time by 50% with automated CI/CD pipeline" or "Built monitoring dashboard tracking 10+ key metrics."
Customize for each job. Read the job description carefully and mirror the language. If they mention Kubernetes, highlight your Kubernetes projects. If they emphasize security, mention how you implemented secrets management.

Application Strategy

Apply strategically. Don't spam applications. Target companies and roles where your skills align. Research the company's tech stack and tailor your application accordingly.
Write a compelling cover letter. Explain why you're passionate about cloud engineering, what you've built, and why you're a good fit for the role. Reference specific projects or skills from the job description.
Follow up. If you don't hear back after a week, send a polite follow-up email. Many applications get lost in the shuffle, and a follow-up shows persistence.

Prepare for Interviews: Demonstrate Problem-Solving and Communication

Cloud engineering interviews test technical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and communication skills. Preparation is critical.

What to Expect in Cloud Engineering Interviews

Technical questions. Expect questions about cloud services, networking, security, and automation. Be ready to explain AWS services like EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, and Lambda—or their Azure/GCP equivalents.
Scenario-based questions. Interviewers will present problems: "A deployment failed in production. How would you troubleshoot?" or "Design a scalable web architecture for 10,000 users." Walk through your thought process step-by-step.
Behavioral questions. Questions like "Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem" or "How do you handle failure?" assess soft skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure answers.
Hands-on labs or coding challenges. Some companies give take-home projects or live coding exercises. You might need to write a Terraform script, troubleshoot a broken pipeline, or deploy a service.

Interview Preparation Tips

Practice common questions. Use resources like Glassdoor, LeetCode, or cloud-specific interview guides to practice. Rehearse answers out loud.
Study your projects deeply. Be ready to explain every decision you made in your portfolio projects. Why did you choose Terraform over CloudFormation? How did you secure secrets? What would you do differently?
Mock interviews. Practice with friends, mentors, or platforms like Pramp or Interviewing.io. Feedback helps you improve.
Ask thoughtful questions. At the end of interviews, ask about the team's tech stack, deployment frequency, on-call expectations, or how they handle incidents. This shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate fit.

Alternative Paths: Internships, Bootcamps, and Adjacent Roles

If the direct path isn't working, consider alternative routes into cloud engineering.

Entry Points to Cloud Engineering

Internships and apprenticeships. Some companies offer internships or apprenticeship programs for career changers. These provide hands-on experience and often lead to full-time roles.
Cloud bootcamps. Programs like Cloud Resume Challenge or paid bootcamps (e.g., A Cloud Guru, Linux Academy, or university-affiliated programs) offer structured learning and job placement support.
Adjacent roles. Start in a related role—help desk, systems administrator, or junior developer—and transition into cloud engineering. Many cloud engineers started in IT support or sysadmin roles. For more on how cloud engineers differ from sysadmins, see what does a cloud engineer do.
Freelance or contract work. Platforms like Upwork or Toptal sometimes have cloud-related gigs. Even small projects build experience and references.

Set Realistic Expectations: Timelines and Challenges

Getting your first cloud engineering job without experience takes time. Most candidates need 6–12 months of focused effort to become job-ready. For more details on timelines, check out how long does it take to become a cloud engineer.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Rejection fatigue. You'll get rejected—a lot. Don't take it personally. Each rejection is data: refine your resume, improve your projects, and keep applying.
Imposter syndrome. Everyone feels underqualified at first. Focus on what you know, not what you don't. Confidence comes with practice.
Skill gaps. You won't know everything, and that's fine. Be honest about gaps, but emphasize your ability to learn quickly. Hiring managers value curiosity and adaptability.
Competitive market. Cloud engineering is popular, and competition is fierce. Differentiate yourself with unique projects, strong communication, and persistence.

The Bottom Line: Proof Beats Pedigree

You don't need a CS degree or years of experience to become a cloud engineer. You need proof you can do the work. Build projects that showcase your skills, earn certifications that validate your knowledge, and network strategically to access opportunities. Apply relentlessly, refine your approach based on feedback, and never stop learning. The path is challenging, but every cloud engineer started somewhere—and with the right strategy, that somewhere can be today.