Hey everyone! I'm starting my IT journey from scratch and have my sights set on becoming an Azure Engineer. My immediate goal is to secure a 1st Line Service Desk Analyst position. However, I've noticed that a lot of these entry-level jobs in London require 1–2 years of experience. To boost my chances, I'm working on the AZ-900 certification and creating home labs to get some hands-on experience, like setting up Active Directory in Azure and simulating ticketing systems. I'm curious: is getting the AZ-900 along with these labs enough to land a Service Desk role in London right now, given that I don't have any prior IT experience? Also, should I consider starting with the CompTIA A+ certification, or should I stick with focusing on Microsoft technologies like Azure and Microsoft 365 as my hook for recruiters? Lastly, are there any known Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or recruitment agencies in London that hire eager juniors, even if they have zero experience but solid lab work? I'd love any advice from those who've recently tackled this path!
6 Answers
The AZ-900 and labs are a good beginning, but complement it with introductory experience in Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory, and basic networking concepts. It's a tough market right now, but apply to as many positions as you can and be prepared to accept lower pay to get your foot in the door.
Make sure you gain some helpdesk experience before pursuing Azure roles. Without a strong understanding of user interactions and IT support, it’ll be hard for you to plan and implement infrastructure that meets their daily needs.
I'd suggest focusing more on Microsoft 365 for a first line role. The AZ-900 is a nice entry point for Azure, but honestly, most first-line jobs won't deal with a lot of what the AZ-900 covers. Getting familiar with Administration for Azure AD, Entra, and Microsoft 365 will definitely be more relevant to your daily tasks as a Service Desk Analyst.
For Microsoft 365, I can start with the MS-900 certification, but what about AD and Entra? Will companies look for certificates in those areas too?
Honestly, I doubt any company will be willing to bring someone on board without previous experience in IT. Cloud roles aren't typically entry-level positions. Most individuals in cloud have progressed from service desk roles, gaining a foundational understanding of IT support and how everything fits together before moving into cloud. I've been working as a sysadmin for a decade, and it's tough to get into cloud roles without direct experience.
I think you’re being a bit too negative. If you’ve been in IT for ten years without touching the cloud, you might be limiting yourself. Getting exposure to Azure or Entra at any Managed Service Provider (MSP) is more straightforward than it seems.
Definitely heed this advice. Focus on landing a helpdesk position or another IT job to accumulate experience. It’s hard to find cloud roles without prior work experience.
The tech industry has been tough for a while now, with outsourcing and the rise of AI. Honestly, you might want to consider other career paths. I've got 23 years in infrastructure roles, including cloud-related positions, and even I struggled to find new work after a layoff—despite having plenty of certifications and strong references. The AZ-900 may not lead to many opportunities either; it’s often seen as a basic course not taken by serious tech individuals.
I can't really speak for London, but I know some MSPs will hire just about anyone for entry-level roles, even without experience. Be prepared for tough hours and not-so-great pay, but it’s a good way to build your resume. The AZ-900 certification is a decent starting point, although it’s similar to an introductory course. I’d recommend looking into the AZ-104 as well, since it's more recognized in the industry. Reach out to local MSPs in your area with a tailored resume and cover letter; you might catch them off-guard and snag an interview!
I'm okay with starting wages; my priority right now is breaking into the market. For skills like Active Directory and networking, are there specific certifications I should pursue, or can I just take courses and include those on my resume?