Vishakha Sadhwani

If you want to get a job as a Cloud DevOps engineer, don't start with the most in-demand tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, or Prometheus

Sure, you've probably heard everyone talking about the latest DevOps tools like they're the key ingredient for success…
truth is – they're not.

Tools will come and go. But knowing why they exist and fundamentals? They are crucial.

Focus on knowing these basics first!

The key topics:

🔑 DevOps Lifecycle & Methodologies
→ Master the complete DevOps lifecycle (Plan, Code, Build, Test, Deploy, Operate, Monitor). Understand SDLC and Agile principles - they're the backbone of DevOps culture.
Start here: https://lnkd.in/dK392At2

🔑 Linux & Shell Scripting
→ Every automation starts here. Mastering Linux, bash, and shell scripting is foundational for any DevOps role.
Start here: Linux Journey - https://linuxjourney.com/

🔑 Networking Fundamentals
→ Cloud or on-premise, it's all about connecting systems. Understanding TCP/IP, DNS, load balancing, and routing helps troubleshoot infrastructure.
Start here: https://lnkd.in/dD7gCCZ6
Also this: Practical Networking - https://lnkd.in/dQqKV8SQ

🔑 Version Control & Git
→ Beyond just push and pull. Understanding branching strategies, merge conflicts, and Git workflows will save you countless hours of headache.
Start here: Git Branching - https://lnkd.in/d9knsWzc

🔑 CI/CD Principles
→ Before Jenkins or GitHub Actions, understand what makes a good pipeline, testing strategies, and deployment patterns.
Start here: Continuous Delivery - https://lnkd.in/d86yakEG

🔑 Infrastructure as Code Concepts
→ Don't start with Terraform. Understand idempotency, state management, and infrastructure lifecycle first.
Start here: https://lnkd.in/dFyG5uXD
Also this: https://lnkd.in/dSzzgWei

There are other key areas – like understanding deployment strategies, logging, monitoring, alerting and more – which can further solidify your basics and help you learn any tool.

Just a reminder: tools will keep evolving, but these foundational skills will help you adapt to any new DevOps platform or cloud service for that matter.

Learn the concepts, and the tools become just an implementation detail!

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Check out this cheatsheet for your Cloud Interview Prep
(use cases included!)

Look for scenarios while prepping - examples below:

1. Core Cloud Concepts
↳ Example: Legacy-to-Microservices Migration
↳ Key Achievement: Designed containerization strategy that reduced deployment time by 60%

2. Cloud Providers
↳ Example: Enterprise Data Lake Implementation
↳ Key Achievement: Optimized storage tiers saving $XXK/month while maintaining performance

3. Networking
↳ Example: Multi-tier Application Security
↳ Key Achievement: Implemented network segmentation reducing attack surface by X%

4. Storage Solutions
↳ Example: High-Availability Media Platform
↳ Key Achievement: Automated lifecycle policies cutting storage costs by X%

5. Databases
↳ Example: Monolithic-to-Cloud Database Migration
↳ Key Achievement: Zero-downtime migration of 5TB database

6. Security
↳ Example: Enterprise IAM Implementation
↳ Key Achievement: Reduced security incidents by 80% through least-privilege access

7. Infrastructure as Code
↳ Example: Environment Automation with Terraform
↳ Key Achievement: Cut provisioning time from days to hours

8. Monitoring & Observability
↳ Example: Critical App Monitoring Setup
↳ Key Achievement: Reduced MTTR by XX% through proactive alerting

9. Serverless
↳ Example: Event-Driven Processing Pipeline
↳ Key Achievement: Scaled to handle 1M+ daily events automatically

10. Containers
↳ Example: Microservices on Kubernetes
↳ Key Achievement: XX% availability across 20+ services

11. DevOps
↳ Example: CI/CD Pipeline Implementation
↳ Key Achievement: Reduced release cycles from weeks to days

12. Cost Management
↳ Example: Resource Optimization
↳ Key Achievement: XX% cost reduction through right-sizing

This is a high-level map of core components of cloud, focused on DevOps - if you're focusing on other specializations - there'll be additional services/topics that you need to review as well.

For each example, prepare:
- The technical challenge
- Your specific contribution
- Measurable business impact
- Lessons learned

Also if you're digging for more info on roadmaps and getting ready for cloud interviews, I'm putting together a newsletter here - https://lnkd.in/grsdxmfF (WIP)

Feel free to hop on board early and snag a spot!!

• • •

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If you want to break into Cloud in 2025 - start by building these 3 real-world, cloud-native projects from the ground up.
(also one GitHub repo you should definitely bookmark )

Most people sign up for free credits from cloud providers…
but it's crucial to put them to meaningful use.

Here’s your chance to stand out.

1. Full-Stack AWS CI/CD Pipeline
Key components:
→ Infrastructure with Terraform (EC2, VPC, ECR)
→ Containerized applications with Docker
→ Automated deployments via GitHub Actions
→ EC2/Elastic Beanstalk deployment patterns
→ ECR integration + CloudWatch monitoring
Tutorial Link: https://lnkd.in/d_5iFvqi

Why this works:
It shows the complete DevOps lifecycle - from infrastructure to monitoring. That's exactly what hiring managers look for.
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2. Kubernetes Delivery Pipeline on GCP
Core elements:
→ Node.js/React application architecture
→ Container registry management (GCR)
→ GCP infrastructure with Terraform
→ GKE deployment patterns
→ GitHub Actions automation
→ Helm/kubectl orchestration
Tutorial Link: https://lnkd.in/d3DN_dXS

Why this works:
You're showcasing containerized app deployment on managed Kubernetes - using enterprise-grade tools and patterns.
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3. Modern IaC with Pulumi (Azure/GCP)
Project highlights:
→ Infrastructure as Code using Pulumi + JavaScript
→ CI/CD automation with GitHub Actions
→ Modern app deployment (React.js/Node.js)
→ Container orchestration with Kubernetes
→ Cloud-native service integration

Tutorial Link: https://lnkd.in/dpFVjgSS

Why this works:
Pulumi demonstrates advanced IaC with actual programming logic - not just static YAML. That's what separates senior engineers from beginners.
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Github Link with more such projects: https://lnkd.in/dh7WhvGU

The Bottom Line, focus on:
→ Cloud-native architectural thinking
→ End-to-end deployment automation
→ Real-world GitOps & containerization
→ Production-ready operational skills

Build projects that prove you understand how to deliver, deploy, and operate in cloud environments.
• • •

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