How I Got My First Cloud Job With No Experience (Step-by-Step)

If you're scrolling through job boards and thinking, “Every role wants 2+ years of experience — how do I even get started?”, I’ve been there.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly how I landed my first cloud job, even though I had:

• No tech degree

• No certifications at the time

• Zero professional experience in IT

Sound familiar? Keep reading — because if I can do it, so can you.

Step 1: I Picked a Cloud Provider and Stuck With It

There are three giants in cloud: AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Early on, I wasted time hopping between them.

Eventually, I chose AWS, because:

• It has the largest market share

• Tons of beginner-friendly resources

• Most entry-level jobs ask for AWS basics

Step 2: I Learned the Fundamentals (Without Spending a Time)

Before spending on certs or bootcamps, I did this:

• Watched free YouTube courses (like AWS by FreeCodeCamp)

• Read the AWS docs (yes, they’re beginner-friendly!)

• Built a simple portfolio: a static website hosted on S3 + CloudFront

I focused on hands-on skills, not theory. I used the AWS free tier and experimented a lot.

Step 3: I Got Certified (But Not Right Away)

After 3 months of self-study and tinkering, I went for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Why this one?

• It’s designed for beginners

• Costs less than $100 (with vouchers)

• Looks good on resumes and LinkedIn

Pro tip: It’s not just about the cert — it’s about showing commitment and motivation to learn.

Step 4: I Built Projects That Proved My Skills

Recruiters don’t care about your potential. They care about your evidence.

Here’s what I built:

• A serverless web app using Lambda + API Gateway + DynamoDB

• A simple CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions and AWS Code Pipeline

• My portfolio website, explaining each project and linking to GitHub

I documented everything — blogs, LinkedIn posts, GitHub READMEs. Content builds credibility.

 Step 5: I Networked (Without Being Cringe)

I started engaging with:

• Cloud communities on Reddit, LinkedIn, and Twitter

• Free Slack groups like Tech Twitter, 100Devs, and Level Up in Tech

• Webinars and meetups (virtual and in-person)

I posted progress updates:

“Just deployed my first Lambda function today! On to DynamoDB next!”

This led to messages like:

“Hey, I saw your posts — we're hiring for a junior cloud role. Want to chat?”

That’s exactly how I got my interview.

Step 6: I Applied Like a Human, Not a Bot

Instead of spamming applications, I:

• Wrote personalized cover letters (short but specific)

• Reached out to real employees on LinkedIn

• Used my projects and posts as proof I was already doing the job

The result? I got 2 interviews — and one offer as a Cloud Support Associate.

 Step 7: I Kept Learning On the Job

Once I got in, the real learning began:

• Worked closely with DevOps and SRE teams

• Got exposure to real cloud infrastructure

• Started preparing for AWS Solutions Architect – Associate

What You Can Steal from My Journey

1. Pick one cloud and go deep

2. Learn by building, not just watching

3. Share your journey publicly

4. Certify when ready, but don’t lead with it

5. Make noise online — quietly at first, then louder

6. Get in the door — the first job is the hardest