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Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

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Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#12
I actually got a free exam attempt once (I've forgotten which cert it was now), but because their proctoring software didn't work, I eventually just couldn't be bothered to take it lol. As for this, it really depends on your clients. These certificates are for laypeople to look at—kind of like how only non-native English speakers need to take the TOEFL.

Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#15
I believe at your stage, your experience has more leverage than any other certificate. Hiring managers don't see the certificates. They just skimmed it. They see what kind of work you have done.

I can say that because I had been a hiring manager in tech for seven plus years. What I am looking for is this person who can do the work that we want, and the proof that you have of working with startups is bigger than any other certificate.

Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#16
Have more leverage with your work that you have done in the startups.

Hiring managers are more looking at what kind of impact you can provide and what kind of work you can get done. A certificate is useful when you don't have experience.

I would say that go and apply. You will learn while applying.

Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#17
post #13

> i think you need to catch up Likely futile though. The way to get jobs now is through network and connections. If OP doesn’t have those already, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to “catch up” in a reasonable amount of time.

I do get lot of job request inbound through email and linkedin telling we are hiring and do you want to join.

Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#19
post #18

I would recommend certificates, they make you cover the whole subject in the round rather than just what you use in your job. I have a friend who is an It architect and he also did one called TOGAF and said it was worth doing https://www.opengroup.org/togaf

Yeah one thing I noticed while going through some of the material is how often I learned details about certain tech that I would have never had reason to come across working for big tech or startups. s3 duplication and different storage classes across multiple regions for example. I've obviously heard about and know the general concept of these things during scalability discussions and meetings and what not but there was never a technical or business reason for me to get familiar with it myself. It was always an abstract concept that was either handled in a proprietary way by another team in another building somewhere or something we only had to worry about if we 100x our user base and need to start expanding internationally after funding round xyz.

Re: Ask HN: Are AWS Certs worth getting for experienced Devs?

#20

I believe at your stage, your experience has more leverage than any other certificate. Hiring managers don't see the certificates. They just skimmed it. They see what kind of work you have done. I can say that because I had been a hiring manager in tech for seven plus years. What I am looking for is this person who can do the work that we want, and the proof that you have of working with startups is bigger than any o…

I know for big tech and startups no one cares about certificates and if I wanted to continue that path I wouldn't have made this post. but would you say having an additional small personal project on github would make the resume stand out more for agencies/consultancies? obviously having yet another multi-year significant role at Google/Amazon would be by far the best addition to the resume but clearly that's not an addition i can easily add
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