The IT industry is evolving faster than ever, and professionals looking to advance their careers often ask the same question: What matters more—certifications or real-world skills?

In our blog post, The Truth About IT Certifications: Are They Worth It?, we explored how certifications can boost salaries, validate expertise, and make job candidates more competitive. But while certifications open doors, they don’t always guarantee success. What truly separates top-tier IT professionals is their ability to apply their knowledge in real-world environments.

The Problem with Relying Only on Certifications

Certifications look great on a résumé, but they’re not always a reliable measure of skill. Many certifications focus on theory and structured exams, which don’t always reflect the challenges of real-world problem-solving.

• A certified cloud architect may have passed an AWS or Azure exam, but have they built and scaled real applications?

• A DevOps engineer might hold a Kubernetes certification, but do they know how to troubleshoot a failed deployment under pressure?

• A cybersecurity professional with a CISSP certification might understand security frameworks, but can they respond effectively to a live security breach?

These gaps highlight why companies value hands-on experience just as much—if not more—than a certification.

Why Real-World Experience is Essential

Nothing replaces the learning that comes from solving actual problems. The best developers, engineers, and IT professionals aren’t just those with the most certifications—they’re the ones who have built, broken, and fixed real systems.

• Experience teaches adaptability. Certifications cover structured knowledge, but real-world projects force professionals to think critically and adapt to unique challenges.

• Hands-on skills prove capability. Employers want candidates who don’t just know something but can do something with that knowledge.

• Collaboration and problem-solving matter. Real-world work requires teamwork, communication, and decision-making—skills that no multiple-choice exam can test.

How to Strike the Right Balance

The good news? You don’t have to choose between certifications and experience. The most successful IT professionals combine both.

• Use certifications as a credibility booster, not a crutch. They’re great for proving expertise, but they should complement hands-on experience, not replace it.

• Work on real projects. Contribute to open-source projects, build side projects, or gain practical experience through internships and freelance work.

• Learn by doing. Set up cloud environments, deploy applications, automate processes, and experiment with new technologies. The more hands-on experience you have, the more valuable your certifications become.

Conclusion

Certifications help you get noticed, but skills help you get hired—and keep growing. While IT certifications are a useful tool for career advancement, they are most effective when combined with real-world experience and a problem-solving mindset.

At DevRoom, we believe in hiring professionals who don’t just have the right credentials but also the ability to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Whether you’re looking to upskill, break into the industry, or advance your career, the key is simple: certifications open doors, but real skills build careers.