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Career Tips
There’s no shortage of content online. You’ve got courses, certifications, YouTube videos, Reddit threads—all telling you slightly different things. The problem isn’t access to information anymore. The problem is knowing what actually matters, what order to do things in, and how to avoid wasting time.
That’s exactly what we set out to solve when we visited Northcoders in London on 11 June 2026. We spent the day with their software engineering cohort, talking through how to get started with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.
We also recorded a walkthrough session, which is linked to below on our You Tube channel, where we:
- Walk through Microsoft Learn
- Explain Training Paths and certifications
- Share real-world advice based on what we see in the industry
If you prefer watching a video where we explain everything, the video on your channel gives a full walkthrough. If you want a structured written version, this guide will take you through it step by step.
Start Simple: Don’t Overcomplicate Azure Learning
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to do too much, too early.
They jump between:
- YouTube tutorials
- Blog posts
- Certification courses
- Random labs
…and end up with a bit of knowledge everywhere, but no real depth.
The advice we gave at Northcoders was simple:
Start with one structured learning path and follow it properly.
The easiest place to do that is Microsoft Learn.
It’s free, curated, and—most importantly—it’s aligned to how Microsoft expects you to learn Azure. That means the concepts you pick up there translate directly into certifications and, more importantly, real-world roles.
In the video we walk through this in detail—showing how the learning paths are structured and how you can track progress over time. It might not feel exciting at first, but it gives you something most people don’t have: a clear foundation.
Certifications: Useful, But Only If You Use Them Properly
This is where things often get misunderstood. Certifications are useful—but only if you understand what they’re for. If you’re trying to understand how to get started with Azure certifications, the key is to begin with a strong foundation rather than jumping straight into advanced exams.
They’re not:
- A guarantee of a job
- A replacement for experience
- A checklist you need to complete
They are, however:
- A way to structure your learning
- A signal to employers
- A way to prove baseline knowledge
The advice we generally give is to build it, break it, fix it and teach it. That way you will actually learn the subject and remember it. We see too many people who sit the exams but really do not know the subject, at all. This becomes very apparent at interview time so don’t fall into that camp. Take to the time to learn the subject and your craft. There are no shortcuts if you want to do it properly !
How to Get Started with Azure Certifications (Without Overcomplicating It)
If you’re completely new, start with: AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals). This gives you:
An understanding of cloud concepts and a good general awareness of Azure services and the language you need to talk about the platform.
In the session (and in the video), we emphasised that this isn’t about “passing an exam”—it’s about understanding how the platform works at a high level. Once you have completed the MS Learn course look to Azure Virtual Training Days for free online training sessions and earn discounted or free exam certification vouchers.
What Comes After Az-900 ?
After AZ-900, things branch out. This is where many people get stuck, because suddenly there are multiple paths:
- Administration
- Development
- Security
- Data
The key is not to try and do all of them. Instead, pick one direction based on:
What Employers Actually Care About
One of the most valuable parts of the Northcoders session wasn’t technical content—it was context. Because there’s a gap between what learners think matters and what employers actually look for.
Most candidates focus on what courses they have done and which exams they have passed.
Meanwhile employers are thinking:
- Can this person operate in a role?
- Do they understand how things fit together?
- Are they progressing in a clear direction?
We talked about Microsoft Partner organisations how they are required to have employees with certifications to obtain a Solutions Designation badge. Employers really need certified people in their field to keep hold of these badges which are difficult to attain and maintain. Knowledge of these programs and requirements will go a long way to your success of securing a role with a Microsoft partner. Also note that AWS and Google will have similar partner programs. To learn more about the Microsoft Partner Solution Designations, see our video and also follow this link.
This is why Azure certifications are structured around job roles, not just topics. So instead of positioning yourself as “Someone learning Azure”.
You want to be saying you are “Someone working towards a role in cloud administration / cloud engineering / security”
It sounds small, but it changes how people view you—and how you approach your learning.
Use the Free Microsoft Azure Training Resources
Another thing that often gets overlooked is just how much free resource is available. Microsoft doesn’t just provide documentation—they provide:
- Guided learning (Microsoft Learn)
- Instructor-led sessions (Virtual Training Days)
- Practice environments
- Community events
In the video, we show how these fit together into a practical learning approach. Virtual Training Days in particular are worth calling out. They’re structured sessions where you can learn alongside others, often with demos and walkthroughs you don’t get from self-paced learning.
If you’re on a budget (which most beginners are), this is a huge advantage.
Your Network Matters More Than You Think
One of the strongest pieces of advice we gave during the session was: Start building your network early.
This doesn’t mean spamming LinkedIn with connection requests. It means:
- Following people already in roles you want
- Paying attention to what they post
- Engaging with content where it makes sense
- Being visible over time
In the video, we touch on how to use LinkedIn in a way that actually supports your career—not just scrolling through content.
Because the reality is:
Opportunities often come from visibility and relationships—not just qualifications.
Events & User Groups
This is probably the most underrated part of the whole journey. You can learn a lot online, but things really accelerate when you:
- Attend events
Speak to people
See how real-world scenarios play out - We recommended a few specific communities during the session, including:
Here are a couple that we visit and recommend. We also sponsor the South Coast User Group. However there are many other ones and some may be in your local area.
South Coast User Group
London and Southern Azure User Groups
These aren’t just “talks”. They’re environments where:
- You hear real experiences, not just theory
- You meet people already doing the job
- You get exposure to problems you haven’t encountered yet
And importantly:
They remind you that there’s an actual community behind all of this. That can make a big difference when you’re starting out and everything feels quite abstract.
This is probably the most underrated part of the whole journey. You can learn a lot online, but things really accelerate when you:
- Attend events
- Speak to people
- See how real-world scenarios play out
That can make a big difference when you’re starting out and everything feels quite abstract.
A Simple, Practical Path Forward
To bring everything together, here’s the same guidance we gave in the session:
Start simple, and build from there:
- Begin with Microsoft Learn
- Work towards AZ-900 then AZ-104 (For Administrator Track and to learn some of he core technical aspects)
- Choose a direction (Admin, Dev, Security, Data)
- Take advantage of free training opportunities
- Start building your network early
- Attend events and get involved in the community
And above all:
Don’t try to learn everything—focus on learning what’s useful and what you are most interested in.
Final Thoughts
It was great to spend time with the Northcoders cohort and see both the level of interest and the willingness to learn. There’s clearly strong demand for cloud skills—but there’s also a need for clearer guidance on how to approach it properly.
If you take one thing away from this:
You don’t need to rush—you just need a clear direction.
The combination of structured learning, practical focus, and early networking will put you ahead of most people starting this journey. All the best on your cloud journey.
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