Hey folks! I recently earned my Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification, and I'm eager to dive into the Azure job market. While I feel confident about the theoretical knowledge from my coursework, I'm struggling to get real-world hands-on experience that I can discuss in interviews. In my last interviews, I faced some tricky questions like deploying thousands of VMs with different configurations and troubleshooting without log analytics. To those currently working in Azure roles, could you share what kind of daily tasks you typically handle, especially in ongoing operation versus project-based settings? Also, what methodologies do you commonly use, like Agile or ITIL? I currently work as a NetApp L1 storage admin in a service desk role and am on the lookout for ways to build practical Azure skills without a full-time job in that field. Any advice, project suggestions, or helpful resources? I'm all ears! Thanks!
5 Answers
Your future trajectory really depends on what area you want to pursue. Technologies like Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) can offer extensive practical experience across multiple services like networking and VMs. If you manage scale plans effectively, the costs can be pretty minimal. Diving into those routes could be a great way to build confidence and experience quickly!
If you're currently employed, a great way to transition into Azure is to connect with your company's Azure management team. Have an open conversation with your manager about your career goals, and ask if you can assist with Azure tasks during your free time to build your experience without any billing.
Also, awareness of Kubernetes and CI/CD frameworks will make any Azure position much easier,”
Try using Azure DevTest Labs to get some practice with VM deployments. You can create and tear down resources at minimal cost, which is perfect for testing. Also, check out Microsoft Learn's sandbox environments. They may not give you full-scale experience with thousands of VMs but can still help you get your hands dirty with Azure projects.
For those interview questions, think about using containers, creating base images, and managing environment settings. That should snag some attention!
Breaking into Azure can be tough, especially with the vast number of services. Don’t stress about knowing everything—focus on key services that are commonly used, like VMs, App Services, and Azure SQL. Understanding Terraform and KQL can really give you an edge. Try to grasp how these various services interconnect, as it can alleviate a lot of confusion later on.
As a prospective Azure Administrator, don't waste time on advanced features like DataBricks yet. Just master the basics for now, and you'll find it easier to learn new services when you encounter them on the job.
To kickstart your hands-on experience, focus on learning PowerShell for Azure automation, Terraform or Bicep for infrastructure as code, and get familiar with containers and Kubernetes. These skills are super valuable.
For deploying 1000 VMs, Terraform is your best bet! As for RDP issues, many teams use Bastion to avoid that clutter. For troubleshooting, check service-specific logs or app insights depending on the problem. Remember, troubleshooting often needs to be tailored to your company's specific Azure setup, so it's good to learn how your employer has configured things.
Just subscribed to your YouTube! Looking forward to those automation tips!