I’ve heard mixed reviews about the foundational exam. Some say it’s too basic, while others recommend it. In your opinion, which AWS certification should beginners start with? if they want to get noticed by recruiters immediately? I don't want to waste money on a certificate that doesn't add much value to my LinkedIn profile or help me land interviews.
3 answers
While the Cloud Practitioner might not land you a Senior Cloud Engineer role on its own, it is definitely not a waste of money. It shows recruiters that you have a verified, foundational understanding of the platform. If you are applying for junior roles or "cloud-adjacent" positions like Project Management or Sales, it’s actually highly valued. For purely technical roles, however, I would suggest getting the Practitioner first and then immediately moving to the Developer or Solutions Architect Associate. Having a "stack" of certifications often looks better than just having one high-level one with no foundation.
If the Practitioner is just for "show," wouldn't it be better to just spend that $100 on the Associate exam instead and study twice as hard?
It definitely helps with the HR filters! Many automated systems look for any AWS mention, and this is the fastest way to get that box checked.
Exactly, Karen. It’s all about getting past those initial filters. Once you have the first one, the rest of the journey feels much more manageable.
That’s a common argument, Paul. But remember, passing the Practitioner gives you a 50% discount voucher for your next exam. So, you end up paying roughly the same total amount to get two certifications instead of one. It’s a strategic way to build your credentials while saving money on the more expensive Associate-level exams in the long run.