Hey everyone! I just earned my Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification, and I'm eager to kickstart my career in the Azure domain. While I have a solid theoretical understanding from the course and labs, I'm struggling to acquire real-world hands-on experience that I can confidently discuss in interviews. In my recent interviews, I faced questions regarding deploying multiple VMs with varied configurations, handling RDP to VMs, and diagnosing issues without log analytics.
For those working in Azure roles, I'd love to know what your typical day looks like, especially in relation to daily tasks and project teams. What methodologies do you follow, like Agile or ITIL? Currently, I'm working as a Netapp L1 storage admin, handling support tickets. I'm also looking for suggestions on how to gain practical experience or showcase my skills before landing a full-time Azure role. Any tips, project ideas, or resources would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
I understand the struggle with gaining practical experience, especially with Azure's wide range of services. Focus on the core services you would use frequently, like VMs and App Services. Familiarizing yourself with Terraform, Azure CLI, and Policies will help you understand the connections between services better. You don't have to know every service out there; just aim for a strong foundational knowledge that you can build on as you advance your career.
If you’re looking for practical experience, consider exploring Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) workloads. They provide a chance to work with several Azure services and can be cost-effective if you manage scale plans wisely. Understanding how different Azure components interact with AVD can really benefit your skillset moving forward. Decide where you want to focus; that’ll guide your learning path significantly!
Consider utilizing Azure DevTest Labs for hands-on experience with VM deployment and management. You can set things up and tear them down to keep costs low. Microsoft Learn also offers sandboxes but might not cover large scale setups. Focus on containerization and infrastructure as code like ARM templates, Bicep, and Terraform for your future interviews. Many companies are looking for experience in these areas now, so try setting up scenarios and testing them out in Azure.
To build a strong foundation, I'd suggest learning PowerShell, Terraform, and Kubernetes. These tools are invaluable when working with Azure. For example, you can automate the deployment of 1000 VMs using Terraform. Additionally, for questions about RDP, you might also look into Azure Bastion for secure access. As for troubleshooting, since it can be specific to each company's setup, understanding how to check logs for certain services is crucial. I’m working on a YouTube course to help people like you expand on these skills - it covers automation in Azure! Check it out if you're interested!
If you're in a company where an Azure team exists, I'd recommend reaching out to them. Communicate your goals with your manager and ask about the possibility of getting involved with Azure projects during your free time. Sometimes demonstrating your interest and willingness to learn can lead to opportunities. Also, gaining knowledge in tools like Kubernetes and CI/CD can make you a valuable asset.
Just subscribed! Looking forward to those lessons!