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What Should I Focus on Before Job Hunting as a Self-Taught Developer?

March 16, 2026 3 answers
Asked by GamerGirl99
Hey everyone! I'm Nick, also known as Azurexis. I've been self-employed as a game developer for about 4.5 years, primarily using Unity and C#. Recently, I've been thinking about transitioning into a more stable field, specifically focusing on Azure-related roles. My game had online features like a leaderboard, user-generated content uploads/downloads, and a Discord bot, all powered by a backend I built using Azure services like Functions, CosmosDB, and more. I recently completed the AZ-900 and just passed the AZ-204, which was a tough exam! As I'm planning to start job hunting in 2 to 4 months, I'm looking for advice on how to maximize my chances in the Azure job market. Should I focus on documenting my game's backend, pursue further certifications like AZ-104 or AZ-400, or perhaps dive into AI certifications like the AI-200? I would really appreciate any thoughts or ideas you might have! Thanks a lot!
Azure Certifications job hunting portfolio Programming programming self-taught developer

Answers

CodeWizard42
You're in a pretty good position already, honestly! With your real projects and the AZ-204 under your belt, I’d recommend prioritizing your portfolio over getting more certs right now. Make sure to document your backend thoroughly, explaining the architecture, service choices, and tradeoffs you made. That's what interviewers really care about! You might also want to add one or two smaller projects, like an API or a cloud app, to showcase your versatility. Just remember to practice explaining your work out loud; many self-taught developers find that challenging.
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DevNinja77
You’ve got a solid foundation with your C#, backend skills, and Azure certifications. Focus on displaying your real projects, especially the documentation of your game backend. Detail the architecture, the Azure services utilized, the reasons behind your choices, and how everything scales and maintains security. Also, AZ-104 could be beneficial since many Azure roles look for some infrastructure knowledge in addition to development skills.
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TechieTribe
Just start applying! I faced a tougher situation a year ago as a self-taught developer, and I still landed a job. You already have great selling points with your current skills. While you can keep enhancing your CV with technical depth or additional certs, I think you’ll benefit more from the actual experience of applying, going through interviews, and working on your soft skills.
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