How to Get a DevOps Job as a Fresher?

Related Courses

Introduction

Are you a fresh graduate looking to begin your career in DevOps but unsure where to start? Don't worry, you're not alone! DevOps is now one of the most sought-after areas in the IT sector with great career prospects, high salaries, and constant learning. Yet, a lot of new graduates and beginners are confused about how to become a DevOps professional as a fresher with zero experience.

The good news? With the correct DevOps skills, certifications, attitude, and learning plan, it is entirely possible to get your first job in DevOps. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk through the process, needed skills, qualifications, career progression, and tips that can assist you in moving from a fresher to a successful DevOps engineer.

What Is DevOps and Why Is It Important?

Before diving into how to get a DevOps job as a fresher, let’s understand what DevOps really means.

DevOps is a combination of Development (Dev) and Operations (Ops) — a set of practices that emphasizes collaboration, automation, and continuous delivery. The goal is to bridge the gap between software developers and IT operations teams to produce faster, more reliable software releases.

Key Benefits of DevOps:

  • Faster deployment and delivery of software
  • Enhanced collaboration and communication
  • More automation and efficiency
  • Quicker bug fix and better security
  • Ongoing monitoring and improvement

In the current IT environment, businesses of all sizes — from small startups to giant corporations — are recruiting DevOps engineers in large numbers to automate their software delivery pipelines.

Is It Possible to Get a DevOps Job as a Fresher?

Yes! It is absolutely possible to get a DevOps job as a fresher if you go with the proper learning strategy and hands-on experience. DevOps is not command memorizing — it's tool understanding, system understanding, automation understanding, and collaboration.

Freshers can create a robust portfolio even in the absence of professional experience by self-studying, taking online courses, working on projects, and internships.

Key Requirements for a DevOps Fresher

Though formal education is not the sole requirement, a majority of companies seek candidates with ta echnical or IT background.

Educational Qualification:

Bachelor of Computer Science, Information Technology, or Electronics.

  • Alternative routes: Non-IT graduates can also acquire DevOps skills by obtaining certification and practicing it.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge Areas:

  • Basic knowledge of operating systems (Linux/Windows)
  • Proficiency in programming languages (Python, Shell, or Java)
  • Thorough understanding of networking and system administration
  • Desire to learn automation, cloud computing, and CI/CD pipelines

Technical Skills Needed to Secure a DevOps Position as a Beginner

In order to begin your journey in DevOps, you must establish a solid technical skill set.

1. Operating Systems

  • Get practical experience in Linux and Unix, which form the core of DevOps setups.
  • Acquire knowledge of file management, permissions, networking commands, and shell scripting.

2. Programming and Scripting

  • Get familiar with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
  • These are used to automate tasks and combine many tools.

3. Version Control System (VCS)

  • Learn Git and GitHub for source code management and team collaboration
  • Understand branching, merging, and version tracking.

4. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

  • Understand CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps.
  • Learn how automation facilitates speedy and error-free code delivery.

5. Cloud Computing

  • Learn about AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Understand cloud basics, instance administration, and storage.

6. Containerization and Orchestration

  • Learn Docker to containerize apps.
  • Explore Kubernetes for containerized workload management.

7. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Master tools such as Terraform or Ansible to automate infrastructure provisioning.

8. Monitoring and Logging

Have a basic understanding of Prometheus, Grafana, Nagios, or ELK Stack for monitoring performance.

Soft Skills That Make You Unique

DevOps is not just about scripts and tools — it's also about mindset and teamwork.

Key Soft Skills:

  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking
  • Good communication and collaboration
  • Continuous learning attitude
  • Adaptability and time management

Employers prefer freshers who are enthusiastic to learn and can support a teamwork environment.

Step-by-Step DevOps Career Roadmap for Freshers

Use this step-by-step DevOps roadmap to develop your career step by step:

Step 1: Learn DevOps Fundamentals

  • Learn what DevOps is and how development and operations are brought together through DevOps.
  • Watch tutorial videos, blog posts, and participate in DevOps forums.

Step 2: Get Familiar with Key Tools and Technologies

Highlight the most widely used tools within the DevOps stack:

  • Git for version control
  • Jenkins for CI/CD
  • Docker & Kubernetes for containerization
  • AWS/Azure for cloud infrastructure

Step 3: Practice Hands-on Projects

Develop sample DevOps projects on GitHub.

Examples:

  • Automate deployment with Jenkins
  • Containerize an app with Docker
  • Deploy an app on AWS EC2 with Terraform

Step 4: Obtain DevOps Certifications

  • Join DevOps certification programs that recognize your skills.
  • Certifications can enhance the credibility of your resume and make you stand out during interviews.

Step 5: Create an Impressive Resume and Portfolio

  • Emphasize your DevOps projects, certifications, and familiar tools.
  • Provide your GitHub link to demonstrate real-world work.

Step 6: Apply for Internships

  • Internships provide real-time exposure and experience in teamwork.
  • Numerous companies recruit freshers with good performance during internships.

Step 7: Practice Interview Questions

  • Practice technical and HR interviews.
  • Emphasis on practical problem-solving in real life instead of theoretical definitions.

DevOps Certifications That Boost Freshers' Career

Certifications assist in confirming your learning and enhancing job prospects.

Popular DevOps Certifications:

  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Associate
  • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
  • Docker Certified Associate
  • Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
  • HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate

Top Job Roles in DevOps for Freshers

Once you have gained basic DevOps understanding, you can begin applying for the following fresher roles:

  • DevOps Intern
  • Junior DevOps Engineer
  • Build and Release Engineer
  • Cloud Support Engineer
  • Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
  • Automation Engineer

With experience, you can move on to senior roles like DevOps Architect, Cloud DevOps Engineer, or DevOps Manager.

Average Salary of DevOps Freshers in India

The average salary of DevOps freshers in India is different based on skills, certifications, and location.

Estimated Salary Range:

  • Entry-Level (0–1 year experience): ₹4 LPA – ₹6 LPA
  • With Certification/Project Experience: ₹6 LPA – ₹9 LPA
  • After 2–3 Years: ₹10 LPA – ₹15 LPA

Major IT centers such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune provide better salary packages based on demand and skill sets.

Common Issues Encountered by DevOps Freshers

It is not easy to begin one's career in DevOps. Some common issues and how to deal with them are:

Challenge Solution
Lack of practical experience Build mini projects and host them on GitHub
An overwhelming number of tools Focus on core tools first (Git, Jenkins, Docker)
No professional exposure Apply for internships or open-source projects
Confusion about the roadmap Follow structured learning paths and certifications

Top Tips to Land a DevOps Job as a Fresher

Here are some fast and effective ways to make you stand out in the job market:

✅ Establish a good online presence (LinkedIn, GitHub)

✅ Regular practice of Linux and cloud fundamentals

✅ Open-source DevOps project contributions

✅ Acquisition of at least one big DevOps certification

✅ Familiarize yourself with the most popular tools and automation pipelines

✅ Connect with industry professionals in the DevOps community

Future of DevOps in India

DevOps in India has a very bright future. As more and more organizations start to embrace cloud, AI, and automation, the need for expert DevOps professionals only keeps growing.

As a fresher, getting into DevOps right now will provide you with an edge in the coming years. Not just will you get to learn cutting-edge technologies, but you will also have a career boost in the long run.

Conclusion

Beginning your DevOps career as a fresher may appear daunting, but following the proper learning curve, technical skills, certifications, and regular practice, you can swiftly get your first DevOps job.

Work towards developing base knowledge, projects, and industry certifications to enhance your portfolio. Keep in mind, DevOps is an ongoing journey — the more you experiment and learn, the better.

If you are serious about your profession, start today! Acquire the basics, be persistent, and step fearlessly into the realm of DevOps engineering.