How to Become a DevOps Professional

What is DevOps?

DevOps is a relatively new field that has emerged in response to the increasing complexity of software development. DevOps is essentially an area of the IT industry that combines software development (Dev) and information-technology operations (Ops).

The main aim of DevOps is to bring developers and operations staff together to complete technology projects faster and more effectively. DevOps teams use automation and monitoring tools to improve collaboration throughout the software development process, from building and testing code to deploying applications.

There are many advantages of DevOps for businesses, including increased efficiency, faster time to market, improved product quality, and better customer experiences.

DevOps Professionals Carry Out Some of the Following Tasks as Part of Their Job:

• Developing and maintaining automated build, test and deployment pipelines.
• Creating and managing cloud-based infrastructure.
• Monitoring system performance and reacting to incidents.
• Working with developers to ensure code quality and application performance.
• Helping developers align their projects with broader business operation goals. 

How the DevOps Sector is Changing

The pandemic has had a profound impact on the technology sector, and DevOps roles are no exception. One of the most noticeable changes has been an overwhelming move towards remote work in the DevOps space.

74% of developers say their organization will keep a remote workforce after the pandemic, compared to just 2% before COVID-19 hit. This appears to have led to skyrocketing levels of satisfaction, with 94% of developers saying they’re overwhelmingly satisfied with how their employer is helping them develop their careers. A further 66% of survey respondents say they value their organization more than before the pandemic.

There’s also been a spike in demand for DevOps professionals as the sector grows and organizations focus on optimizing their digital operations. From 2020 to 2027, the global DevOps market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.9%. This will create fierce competition for talent between employers and may lead to an increase in salary for skilled DevOps candidates.

Building Your Career in DevOps

Now that you have some background information on this expanding sector, you’re probably curious about building your career in DevOps. Here are our top 5 steps to start developing skills and gaining experience that will set you up for success in DevOps.

1. Develop Technical Skills

DevOps professionals are typically from an IT background and should have a solid grasp of Linux, and web development. You should also aim to learn the main programming languages that are needed on a daily basis in DevOps roles. These include Python, Java, JavaScript, Golang, PHP, Perl, and Ruby.

Experience using DevOps automation tools is also a must. Tools that you are likely to use are Docker for software testing, Nagios for monitoring, Puppet for management and deployment, and Bamboo for integration. Automation is becoming increasingly important in all aspects of DevOps, so if you can learn to use automation tools resourcefully, you’ll become a very attractive candidate for employers who are keen to streamline and speed up their digital transformation. While organizations use different tools, once you get used to one, you’ll be able to transfer your skills to an alternative tool on the job.

2. Develop Soft Skills

Hard technical skills are important in DevOps, but soft skills are an often-overlooked necessity that can make you stand out from the crowd.

As DevOps positions are mostly managerial, strong leadership skills are a must. However, leadership isn’t a standalone skill. It requires excellent communication, collaboration, time management, adaptability, problem-solving, stress management, and emotional intelligence.

One way to develop soft skills is to take on new challenges at your current job. This will help you to build your confidence and learn how to handle difficult situations. Another way is to seek out opportunities to collaborate with others. This will give you a chance to practice your communication and teamwork skills. Finally, get feedback from your colleagues. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve and will make you more self-aware, a crucial part of improving emotional intelligence.

3. Get Certified

Getting certified in certain skills is important if you want to reassure a potential employer that you’re the right person for the job. Credentials in programming languages will look great on your resume, but you can go the extra mile by getting certified in DevOps-specific skills that show employers that you’re ready to hit the ground running. These can include official AWS certifications, Puppet, Docker, or DevOps tool certifications, and broader DevOps skill certifications like Microsoft Certified.

4. Research What Employers Are Looking For

One of the best ways to make yourself more attractive as a DevOps candidate is to do some good old-fashioned research. Browse through job boards, LinkedIn, and big tech firm websites to learn about what requirements employers look for in an ideal DevOps candidate.

Job postings list essential skills and experience as well as extra characteristics that their perfect candidate would have. Compare these job vacancies to your existing skills and identify areas of opportunity where you can improve, get certified, and gain knowledge that will place you in the top tier of applicants.

5. Get Involved with DevOps Communities

DevOps is a constantly evolving sector that can sometimes be hard to wrap your head around. Keeping your ear to the ground and joining an online DevOps community is an effective way to develop skills, expand your professional network, and get some informal mentoring from seasoned veterans. Find DevOps communities on LinkedIn or public Slack channels. Who knows, you might even get hired as a result!

How to Find a DevOps Job

DevOps professionals are in high demand, so there’s an abundance of new vacancies on LinkedIn every day for qualified candidates. If you’re just starting out in this sector, it might be a good idea to get some help in building your DevOps career.

At Akkodis, we believe in your potential to achieve great things. We help you find a job that fits your professional objectives and we even help you future-proof your skillset so that you can reach new heights in your career. To learn more about how Akkodis can make your career goals a reality, Contact us today.