What is DevOps?

DevOps is a compound of “development” and “operations.” DevOps Engineers work closely with software developers, system operators (SysOps), and other IT staff to oversee the deployment of code. According to a 2017 report, companies with DevOps professionals code up to 30 times faster than competitors. With results like this, it’s no surprise DevOps Engineers are in demand.

Opportunity

A slow development process can seriously hinder a business’s growth. If IT can’t keep up with a development backlog, it could be disastrous for a business. Because of this, there will always be a need for DevOps Engineers in IT departments across many industries.

There is a particular need at the moment for DevOps Engineers who are able to utilize the cloud, but there is a shortage of skilled workers in the industry, which is holding back DevOps growth. Having the right skills can make you more desirable to employers, giving you a better chance of forging a successful career.

• Recent Changes in the DevOps Sector

  Recently, there has been increased interest surrounding DevOps and cloud computing working together in synergy. Companies in several industries are on the lookout for candidates with the skills required for a DevOps Engineer role, who can also work on driving cloud development forward. This has increased the number of roles available in the industry, as businesses are trying to implement DevOps and launch their own DevOps teams.

• Future Prospects

  The demand for DevOps talent has never been higher, meaning that DevOps and Cloud Engineers can enjoy competitive salaries, even at entry level. Emerging technologies such as VR and artificial intelligence are becoming more commonplace for consumers, so these sectors need to embrace DevOps to keep up with demand, new content delivery, and new consumer behaviours.

• Salt’s advice for getting a DevOps job

  Employers’ Requirements

  Employers will want to hire someone who has significant experience working in a DevOps role, whether this is working in-house or as a freelancer. You will need to have some experience, proving you have learned the skills needed for the job. You may also be required to have led at least one cloud migration and have experience working in Amazon Web Services and/or Google Cloud.

  DevOps Training & Certifications

  Getting into DevOps requires some general background knowledge and experience in IT, especially fundamentals such as operating systems, programming languages, and cloud computing. There are Foundation courses available in DevOps to get you started and accredited, as well as courses for DevOps leaders, security practices, test engineering, and more.

  Resume Requirements

  An employer searching for a DevOps Engineer will be looking out for experience in cloud-based systems, whether this is in AWS or Google Cloud, as well as DevOps processes. Having formal qualifications in computer science or similar can also be advantageous.

  DevOps Interview Questions & Preparation

  Employers will likely ask you about your history working with DevOps in the IT industry, and you should try to keep your answers as simple and straightforward as possible. There are no set questions that you will be asked, but examples of the kinds of questions recruiters will ask include:

  1. What DevOps tools have you used in the past?
  2. What DevOps tools are you most skilled in? Why do you prefer them?
  3. Why has DevOps increased in popularity recently?
  4. How is DevOps used with AWS?