How Many Cloud Certifications Do I Need to Get a Cloud Job?

How Many Cloud Certifications Do I Need to Get a Cloud Job?

If you are thinking about how many cloud certifications I need to get a job then think again! The question isn’t “how many” but “which ones do you need?”

Cloud Computing has changed the way we live and work. Gone are the times, when organizations or companies would need to build robust data centers to store and manage files.

With Cloud computing, your entire business is available in the palm of your hand at any given time. In 2021, cloud services increased by 23.1% to a total of $332.3B from $270B in 2020. This increase only comes to prove that cloudification still has plenty of space for certified professionals.

Whether you are an experienced professional or a fresher who wishes to start a career as a cloud professional, there is always a certification that you need.

Therefore, in this article, we will cover all the essential aspects such as:

1. Should You Get a Professional Cloud Certification?
2. Do Cloud Certifications Help You Get a Cloud Job?
3. Top 5 Cloud Certifications That Can Get You a High-Paying Cloud Job.

What’s more important than how many certifications you need to get a cloud job is, getting the proper certification to quickly land a cloud job. Before you continue, ask yourself, should you get a professional cloud certification? If yes, then which is the right cloud certification for you?

Should You Get a Professional Cloud Certification?

It is a fair argument that hands-on experience speaks louder than any certification. That being said, a certificate still makes your resume appear more radiant than all the others in that large pile of cloud professionals.

For instance, you could have vast experience in developing, deploying, and maintaining cloud software. But how will you ever put it concisely on your resume? The person reading your resume will only be looking for keywords or maybe just put it through an ATS scan.

The software will completely overlook your experience. This is exactly where a certificate shines out and gets you the job.

Cloud professionals get paid up to $200,000 annually (based on a report in 2020). Getting a certification is extremely beneficial and the perfect investment in starting your career as a cloud professional.

To sum up, it is highly recommended that you get a professional cloud certification.

Do Cloud Certifications Help You Get a Cloud Job?

Think of cloud certifications as a reason to ring someone’s doorbell. If you ring at someone’s door and have nothing to pique their interest, they are bound to slam the door in your face.

Cloud certifications indeed help you get a cloud job. Even if you are just starting, getting a cloud certification will get you a 100% response rate on your resume.

On the other hand, if you are already an experienced professional, then cloud certifications will help you in identifying and building on your strengths. In addition, if you are already employed, you will increase the odds of getting a promotion or an increment.

Now that you know how beneficial a cloud certification can be and you certainly need one, let’s have a look at the top 5 cloud certifications in 2022 that can get you a high-paying cloud job.

Top 5 Cloud Certifications to Get a High-Paying Cloud Job

Cloud computing is a vast field. To clarify, there are dozens of roles you can choose from. However, this list of the top 5 cloud certifications is based on two key points: Demand and High Salary.

1. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Google Certified Professional Cloud Architects earn the highest among cloud professionals. It’s safe to say that the Cloud Architect certification is the best professional certification you can get.

Cloud Architects are required to work with numerous technologies and develop diverse skill sets. In addition, they have a vast knowledge of Google Cloud Platform technologies.

This exam will test you based on your skills in:

• Design
• Creating
• Planning
• Management of highly secure, dynamic, and scalable cloud solutions for an organization or company.

Moreover, you should also expect this certification to test your skill level in designing services and applications on the cloud. It extends further to the optimization and analysis of business processes and methods of software development.

So what’s the good bit? GCP Cloud Architect certification is considered to be the most valuable certification and it is among the easiest to acquire.

Cost: 200 USD

Length: 2 Hours

2. Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

Microsoft Azure has the second-largest market share in the cloud space. If you are starting, this is the most affordable and easiest certification to acquire. The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is most suitable for you if you want to test your knowledge in cloud computing:

• Concepts,
• Models,
• Services (Public & Private),
• Hybrid Cloud,
• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service),
• PaaS (Platform as a Service),
• SaaS (Software as a Service).

Moreover, the certification will also be proof of your expertise in how Microsoft Azure supports trust, privacy, security, and compliance.

However, it is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with core concepts of storage, computing, application support, networking, and app development.

Cost: 99 USD

Length: 45 Minutes

3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solutions Architect Certification – Associate

AWS Solutions Architect certification is the showcase of your knowledge and skills in AWS technology. This certification covers a vast range of all the services offered by this cloud vendor. The AWS Solutions Architect certification focuses on the design of:

• Cost,
• Performance,
• Optimized Solutions,
• Demonstration of a Strong Understanding of AWS Framework.

If you are looking for a certification to make your resume shine, then this will not only boost your confidence but as well as your credibility.

Most importantly, this certification is aimed at candidates who only have a few months’ worth of experience. That is to say, it is easy to acquire and a guaranteed way to secure a job.

Cost: 150 USD

Length: 2 Hours 10 Minutes

4. Google Associate Cloud Engineer

As a Certified Google Associate Cloud Engineer, you are considered to be highly competent in all the fundamental aspects of working with the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Google Associate Cloud Engineers work alongside cloud architects. Their role is to:

• Deploy Applications,
• Monitor Operations,
• Manage Enterprise Solutions,
• Plan and Configure a Cloud Solution,
• Configure Access and Security,
• Ensure the Successful Operation of the Solution.

This certification is comparatively difficult to acquire. You will be tested in each of the above-mentioned aspects as well as management of users in the Cloud Identity, management of billing configuration, and so on. 

(If you want to ace this exam on your first try, have a look at Google Associate Cloud Engineer Course from Skillcurb.)

Cost: 125 USD

Length: 2 Hours

5. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Finally, Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is a well-paying skill set to acquire. You can expect an average salary of 152,000 USD per year by just getting employed with this certification. As an Azure Solutions Architect Expert, you will be tested in terms of the following relating to Azure Cloud Solutions:

• Designing,
• Developing,
• Deploying.

Moreover, holding this certification means you have advanced level experience and knowledge of IT Operations including:

• Virtualization,
• Networking,
• Security,
• Business Continuity,
• Identity,
• Disaster Recovery,
• Data Platforms,
• Governance.

You will be tested thoroughly in each of the skills mentioned above during this exam.

Cost: 165 USD

Length: 2 Hours

Final Thoughts – Cloud Certifications Required to Get a Cloud Job

It’s more about what certification you have rather than how many certifications you have. The whole point of mentioning solution architect certifications was to clarify that different businesses work with different vendors.

Therefore, you can hold a single professional certification from GCP, AWS, or Azure, and still land a job.

The most important bit of getting a cloud job is preparing for the certification exam. There is no other route around it, even if you have prior experience.

The best course of action is to take quizzes and check where you currently stand. In addition, if you want to ensure that you get the certification on your very first try, you must opt for the right courses. Here’s a list of courses at Skillcurb that are updated with the latest exam questions to guarantee your success.

Frequently Asked Questions