How to kick-start your cloud career: Tips from an IT Recruiter

Hugh Morris-Dalton • October 5, 2021

There has never been a better time to start an I.T or cloud career in Australia! Whether you’ve just graduated from university, are looking to transition from another career, or want to get back into the workforce there are more opportunities than there have ever been. Unprecedented demand for I.T skills, skills shortages, and limited overseas immigration has meant that employers have never been more willing to offer entry-level I.T opportunities and provide the necessary support to help new employees develop their skills.


From technical coding opportunities to project services and consulting roles, some of the most in-demand skillsets in the I.T market are cloud skills. While there are a range of cloud offerings that organisations use, skills on public cloud platforms such as AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, and GCP (Google Cloud Platform) are the most commonly sought after by employers. 


Regardless of the direction you want to take in your new I.T career, skills on these cloud platforms are transferrable and will help you stand out to employers and IT Recruiters.


Where to start


Understanding cloud offerings are complementary to most I.T roles, but can also be the basis of particular roles like Site Reliability Engineers, DevOps Engineers, and Cloud Engineers.


Like many I.T areas, there are great, free resources online that you can use to start your learning journey. AWS (https://aws.amazon.com/training/digital/aws-cloud-practitioner-essentials/), Azure (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals/) and GCP (https://cloud.google.com/training) all offer online introduction courses free of charge which offer a good place to start. Platforms such as Udemy, Pluralsight, and Coursera provide some free cloud fundamental courses.


These courses are built for beginners and are a great way to start learning. Once you understand the basics there are a number of next steps you can take.


Show off your new skills!


If you are looking to apply for cloud or I.T related roles it is important that you demonstrate your knowledge and learning to potential employers and peers. Once you have put in the hard work to pick your new cloud skills it is important to list completed training and certifications in your resume and LinkedIn profile.


One option to demonstrate you really understand the platform/s of your choice is getting certified. AWS (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner), Azure (Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals) and GCP (Cloud Digital Leader) all provide recognized certifications in which you must successfully pass an exam. While taking these exams does cost money, they are well regarded by employers and are a good way to demonstrate you have put in the time to understand the platforms.


If you are pursuing programming roles, another option is incorporating cloud hosting and tools on AWS, Azure, or GCP into your code projects. Talk about how you have configured the cloud instance, or what other platform tools you have utilised to help in your project. If you are stuck for ideas, run a search like ‘cloud code project’ and pick an idea that works best for you.


Once you are happy with the code project you should share it publicly on a platform like GitHub. This will allow people to see your work and provide feedback on it. Linking to your GitHub (or similar) via your LinkedIn and resume is a great way to demonstrate your dedication and interest in these platforms to potential employers.


It is important to know that code projects do not need to be ‘finished’ to share them. Just make sure you are clear about what you set out to achieve, where you got to, and how you got to that point.


Get involved in the community


Like most things these days if you look online there are many great free events and meetups that you can get involved in. These offer great opportunities to learn in more depth, but also the chance to meet people working in these industries. AWS, Azure, and GCP usually run conferences annually (online currently, but in-person when restrictions allow) and sites like Meetup (www.meetup.com) are a great way to find groups based out of your city or country that meet regularly to discuss new features and give demonstrations on these platforms. Many people find the concept of networking intimidating and difficult. Attending these events/ sessions is a great way to getting to know professionals in the field in an organic way and help build deeper relationships with them than you would if you just reached out over LinkedIn.


Just like any profession, trying to find your first job in the cloud or I.T space can take a while. These first steps are a good place to start and will help open up more opportunities for you.


Written by Hugh Morris-Dalton

Why Hiring on Contract is a Smart Move

By Mimi Petrakis • May 1, 2025
Hiring IT Web Developers on Contract is a Smart Move for Your Transformation and Security Projects
A man is sitting at a desk in an office holding an ipad.

What is a Change Manager?

By Mimi Petrakis • March 31, 2025
In the fast-evolving IT and digital industry, organisations must constantly adapt to new technologies, processes, and strategies to remain competitive. A Change Manager plays a critical role in ensuring these transitions are smooth, effective, and embraced by all stakeholders.

Insights from our 2025 Salary Guide

By Mimi Petrakis • February 28, 2025
As the IT & digital industry continues to evolve, staying informed on salary trends and employment dynamics is crucial for both professionals and businesses. Last month, Peoplebank’s highly anticipated February 2025 Salary Guide was released, offering comprehensive salary insights, job market analysis , and hiring trends to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of IT & digital employment in Australia. Key Insights from the Peoplebank Salary Guide 2025 Our latest salary guide delivered state-by-state salary benchmarks for various IT & digital roles, providing clarity for job seekers, hiring managers, and industry leaders. It also includes expert insights from Peoplebank specialists, highlighting the latest employment trends shaping the industry. “Our Salary Guide reflects the major challenges and opportunities within the dynamic IT & digital industry. The guide serves as a critical resource for stakeholders, providing insights into commercial realities as the year begins and empowering both talent managers and IT & digital professionals to make informed strategic decisions aligned with the current market.” Tim Moran, Executive General Manager, Peoplebank and Leaders IT What’s Trending in the IT & Digital Job Market? Job Market Stability : The number of professionals changing jobs has continued to decline since 2024, with a rise in job tenure. This suggests a growing emphasis on job security and long-term career planning in the IT sector. Contractor Rates & Permanent Roles : A softening of contractor rates indicates a shift in preference towards permanent employment, reflecting a changing job market dynamic. Talent Development Focus : Companies are prioritising in-house talent development , tailoring skills to meet their specific organisational needs rather than solely relying on external hires. Most In-Demand Roles : Software Engineers are in high demand as businesses invest in AI, automation, and cloud-based solutions to accelerate digital transformation. Solutions Architects are increasingly sought after to design scalable, efficient, and secure IT infrastructures that support evolving business needs. Download the Full Salary Guide Understanding salary trends, hiring patterns, and emerging job market shifts can give you a competitive edge—whether you’re an IT professional planning your next career move or a business seeking top digital talent. Download the full Peoplebank Salary Guide now to access the latest insights and ensure you're staying ahead in the IT & digital industry.
An older woman working in tech faces the camera in the boardroom men are working on tablets in the background

How is the 2025 IT & digital job market looking so far?

February 2, 2025
As we wrap up the first month of 2025 what have our experts learned? Peoplebank Account Manager Elizabeth Fairweather shares her thoughts and predicts the trends to come

Top 3 IT and Digital Employment Predictions for 2025

By Mimi Petrakis • December 31, 2024
What's ahead for 2025?

Top Resume and Interview Tips

By Mimi Petrakis • November 7, 2024
Your resume is the first thing a potential employer will see from you. Make sure you take time planning and thinking about your resume.
Blue tile with white text that shows the new Leaders IT and Peoplebank logos and title 'a new look'

Peoplebank and Leaders IT: A Fresh Look for a New Era in Recruitment

By Mimi Petrakis • November 1, 2024
Peoplebank and Leaders IT: A fresh look for a new era in recruitment
A poster for navigating the current it job market

Navigating the Current IT Job Market: Strategies for Success Amidst Uncertainty

September 4, 2024
Read about Navigating the Current IT Job Market: Strategies for Success Amidst Uncertainty from Peoplebank
A group of people are working on a project together.

“How do I Ask for a Reference?” Your Key to Landing the Perfect Role

By Mimi Petrakis • July 13, 2024
Read about “How do I Ask for a Reference?” Your Key to Landing the Perfect Role from Peoplebank
A group of people are sitting at a table with laptops.

Career CUSP: Empowering Talent & Employers

By Mimi Petrakis • June 5, 2024
Read about Career CUSP: Empowering Talent & Employers from Peoplebank
More Posts