So you're staring at Microsoft's certification page, seeing 15+ different Azure exams, and wondering: Where the hell do I even start?
I get it. After training hundreds of cloud engineers over the past few years, this is the #1 question I hear. Everyone wants a clear path—not marketing fluff about "limitless cloud opportunities," but a real roadmap that gets you hired.
Here's exactly what I recommend, based on what actually works in today's market.
Start Here: AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals (Yes, Really)
I know what you're thinking: "That's the beginner exam. I want to look serious."
Stop right there.
AZ-900 isn't just a beginner badge—it's your foundation. This exam teaches you the language of Azure: how pricing works, what services exist, basic cloud concepts that everyone assumes you know.
What you'll learn:
- Core Azure services and their use cases
- Cloud concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS—yes, people mix these up in interviews)
- Pricing models and cost management
- Basic security and compliance
Reality check: Most people can pass this in 2-4 weeks of focused study using Microsoft Learn (free) and practice exams.
Who skips it: People with AWS or GCP backgrounds. Even then, I'd recommend at least reviewing the material. Azure's terminology is different enough to trip you up.
The mistake I see? People rush past fundamentals to "look impressive" with associate-level certs, then struggle with basic concepts later. Don't be that person.
The Three Main Career Paths (Pick One)
After AZ-900, you need to choose your direction. Azure has three main tracks for cloud engineers, and your background determines which makes the most sense.
Path 1: Cloud Administration → AZ-104
Best for: IT professionals, sysadmins, infrastructure folks, anyone managing servers or networks
The role: Azure Administrator
What you'll actually do:
- Deploy and manage virtual machines
- Configure virtual networks and security groups
- Set up storage accounts and manage data
- Handle identity and access with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
- Monitor resources and implement backups
Key skills tested:
- Identity and governance (20-25%)
- Storage implementation (15-20%)
- Compute resources (20-25%)
- Virtual networking (15-20%)
- Monitoring and maintenance (10-15%)
Next step after AZ-104: AZ-305 (Solutions Architect Expert)—the high-demand, high-salary certification
Timeline: 3-6 months with hands-on practice
This is the most common path I see people take. If you're comfortable with infrastructure and managing systems, this is your entry point.
Path 2: Development → AZ-204
Best for: Developers, software engineers, anyone writing code professionally
The role: Azure Developer
What you'll actually do:
- Build cloud-native applications using App Service, Functions, and containers
- Implement APIs and integrate services
- Work with Azure storage (Cosmos DB, Blob Storage)
- Handle authentication and authorization
- Monitor and troubleshoot applications with Application Insights
Key skills tested:
- Azure compute solutions (25-30%)
- Azure storage development (15-20%)
- Security implementation (15-20%)
- Monitoring and optimization (5-10%)
- Connecting Azure services (20-25%)
Prerequisites: 1-2 years of development experience and proficiency in a language supported by Azure (C#, Python, JavaScript, Java)
Timeline: 2-4 months if you already have a coding background
Connects to: Containers, microservices, serverless—the modern development stack
If you're coming from a software background, this path lets you leverage what you already know while learning cloud-specific skills.
Path 3: DevOps/Automation → AZ-400
Best for: The hybrid role—developers who love infrastructure or admins who love automation
The role: DevOps Engineer
What you'll actually do:
- Build and manage CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions)
- Implement infrastructure as code with ARM templates or Bicep
- Automate deployments and testing
- Monitor applications and infrastructure
- Design release strategies and implement security in the pipeline
CRITICAL prerequisite: You MUST have either AZ-104 (Administrator) OR AZ-204 (Developer) before taking AZ-400. This is an expert-level certification.
Key skills tested:
- Processes and communications (10-15%)
- Source control strategy (10-15%)
- Build and release pipelines (50-55%)—this is the meat of the exam
- Security and compliance (10-15%)
- Instrumentation strategy (5-10%)
Market demand: This is where the money is. DevOps engineers with Azure experience command the highest salaries in cloud right now.
Timeline: Requires your foundation cert first, then 3-6 months of focused study and hands-on pipeline work
Beyond Certifications: What Actually Gets You Hired
Here's the uncomfortable truth: certifications open doors, but they don't get you the job.
I've seen people with three Azure certs fail interviews because they couldn't deploy a simple web app. Don't let that be you.
✅ Build Real Projects
Stop watching tutorials and build something. Anything.
Ideas that work:
- Deploy a personal website or portfolio using Azure Static Web Apps
- Create an automated backup solution using Azure Functions
- Build a simple REST API with App Service and Cosmos DB
- Set up a monitoring dashboard with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
- Migrate a local application to Azure (document the process)
Critical step: Put it on GitHub with a detailed README. Explain what you built, why you made specific choices, and what you learned.
✅ Get Hands-On with CloudLearn
Yes, this is my platform, but it exists for a reason: Azure's free tier isn't enough for real practice.
CloudLearn gives you pre-configured lab environments where you can:
- Practice deploying infrastructure without worrying about costs
- Break things and learn from mistakes
- Follow guided scenarios that mirror real-world tasks
- Build portfolio projects in actual cloud environments
The difference between someone who passed an exam and someone who can actually do the job? Hands-on hours. CloudLearn speeds up that timeline.
✅ Document Your Learning
Start a blog. Post on LinkedIn. Share what you're learning.
I can't stress this enough: hiring managers notice consistency. Write about:
- Problems you solved while studying
- Mistakes you made and how you fixed them
- Comparisons between Azure services
- Your certification journey
You don't need to be an expert to write. You just need to document your process. This does two things:
- Solidifies your learning
- Shows potential employers you can communicate technical concepts
✅ Network Strategically
Join Azure community calls. Attend meetups (virtual or in-person). Engage with cloud professionals on LinkedIn.
Your first cloud job probably won't come from a cold application—it'll come from someone who saw your work, engaged with your content, or met you at an event.
I've placed people in jobs because they showed up consistently in the community, asked good questions, and demonstrated they were serious about learning.
The Timeline Reality Check
Let me be brutally honest about timelines:
Fundamentals to first cloud job: 6-12 months of consistent effort Entry-level to mid-level role: 1-2 years of hands-on experience Expert-level (Solutions Architect, Senior DevOps): 3-5 years in the field
Here's what people get wrong: They think getting AZ-104 means they're immediately qualified for "Azure Engineer" roles requiring 3-5 years of experience.
Your first cloud job might not have "Cloud Engineer" in the title. It might be:
- Junior Systems Administrator (with Azure skills)
- Infrastructure Support Engineer
- Associate Cloud Operations
- Developer with cloud responsibilities
That's your entry point. Take it. Learn from it. Build from there.
Other Paths (Briefly)
The three paths above cover 80% of cloud engineers, but Azure has specialized tracks too:
Security: AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer)
Data Engineering: DP-203 (Azure Data Engineer)
AI/ML: AI-102 (Azure AI Engineer)
Solutions Architect: AZ-305 (Expert level, requires AZ-104 first)
These are powerful certifications, but they're not where most people start. Get your foundation first, understand what you enjoy, then specialize.
My Recommendation: Start This Month
Here's your action plan for the next 30 days:
Week 1-2: Register for AZ-900. Start Microsoft Learn's free learning path. Study 1-2 hours daily.
Week 3: Take practice exams. Identify weak areas. Review those topics.
Week 4: Schedule your AZ-900 exam. Pass it. Celebrate that win.
Immediately after: Choose your path (Admin, Developer, or DevOps). Register for that exam 60-90 days out. Start building your first project.
Don't overthink this. Pick one certification. Book the exam. Build one project. That's how you start.
Your cloud career doesn't begin when you feel "ready"—it begins when you take the first step.
- Parveen Singh
Microsoft Certified Trainer | Cloud Solutions Consultant
