Do Tech Certifications Actually Matter for Job Applications?

Honestly, most employers are more interested in your portfolio and the work you've actually done rather than certifications. Building real projects, contributing to open-source initiatives, and documenting your learning progress can be far more impactful. You don't necessarily need a degree or any specific certifications; focus on gaining hands-on experience and writing about what you've done.

Certifications alone won't get you a job, but they can help as add-ons to your skills. They’re more supplementary than essential.

I’m new to the tech scene, so I'm still figuring out which certifications matter. I’ve found that Coursera has solid courses offered by reputable institutions, which include great learning resources, assignments, and quizzes. That said, I've heard a lot that having an active GitHub profile speaks much louder than any certificate.

AWS and Red Hat target different job markets, but I see certifications as more of a supplement rather than the main factor in landing a job. They're useful, but not the be-all-end-all.

Yes, certifications from major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and GCP can have some value, but they're mainly advantageous for professionals who already have work experience, especially in consulting roles. For development jobs, certifications aren’t typically required; those are more relevant for roles in cloud, data, and security.