Self-assessment · 3 minutes

Am I job-ready as an Azure cloud engineer?

A certificate says you can describe Azure. A job needs proof you can build it, talk about it, and get hired for it. Tick what is honestly true today, and see exactly where your gap is. If you are changing careers, the discipline and accountability you already carry count for more here than most people admit.

Eighteen checks across four things employers actually screen for — the day-one block pulled from what real Azure job postings ask for by name. Nothing is stored until you choose to save your result at the end.

Certs & fundamentals

I've passed the AZ-900 (or an equivalent cloud fundamentals cert) — or I understand its requirements.

I've passed, or I'm nearly ready for, a role-based cert (AZ-104, AZ-204, or AZ-305) — or I understand its requirements.

Hands-on & portfolio

I've deployed two or more real projects in a live Azure account.

I've scripted infrastructure with Bicep or Terraform (not just clicked the portal).

My projects are on public GitHub with READMEs a stranger could follow.

I've broken something in Azure and fixed it myself, without a walkthrough.

Can I do the job on day one? — pulled from real Azure job postings

I've deployed and managed VMs, App Services, and storage — and can explain when each is the right choice.

I've built a virtual network with subnets, NSGs, and peering or hybrid connectivity — not just used defaults.

I've set up monitoring and alerting (Log Analytics, App Insights, or alerts on metrics) and actually responded to one firing.

I've written PowerShell, CLI, or Python to automate something in Azure — a script I'd show in an interview.

I've built or maintained a CI/CD pipeline (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions) that deploys real infrastructure or code.

I've configured backup, restore, or failover for at least one workload — and tested that it actually recovers.

I've reduced someone's Azure bill, or can walk through exactly how I'd find and cut waste in a subscription.

I've applied security or governance controls — RBAC, Policy, Key Vault, private endpoints — because something required it.

Job search

My resume leads with outcomes I produced, not a list of certs and tech.

My LinkedIn matches my resume and links to my projects.

I'm applying to roles I match about 60–70% of, not three levels up.

I've applied to 10+ relevant roles in the last month, with follow-up.

Your result

Am I job-ready as an Azure cloud engineer?

Where the gap is