How to Actually Stand Out When Everyone Has the Same Certifications

 

Let me guess you just finished your CompTIA A+, or maybe you've got your AWS cert, and you're feeling pretty good about yourself. Then you start job hunting and realize that literally everyone else applying for that help desk position has the exact same credentials. Fun times, right?

I've been there. And here's the truth nobody wants to tell you certifications are important, but they're also becoming the bare minimum. It's like showing up to a job interview wearing pants yeah, you need them, but nobody's giving you the job just because you wore them.

So how do you actually stand out when your resume looks identical to 500 other people's? Let me share what actually worked for me and what I've seen work for others.

Stop Collecting Certifications Like Pokémon Cards

I know, I know. The internet tells you to get certified in everything. But here's the thing employers can smell desperation and lack of direction. Having 15 different certifications in unrelated areas doesn't make you look versatile; it makes you look like you don't know what you want to do.

Instead, pick a path. Cloud? Security? Networking? Pick one and go deep. Get the foundational cert, sure, but then actually do something with that knowledge.

Build Stuff (Even If It's Messy)

This is where most people freeze up. "But I don't know what to build!" they say. Listen, it doesn't have to be revolutionary. It just has to be something.

Here are some ideas that actually impress hiring managers

If you're into cloud

Set up a personal website hosted on AWS or Azure. Write a blog post about what you learned. Bonus points if you automate the deployment with a simple CI/CD pipeline.

If you're into networking

Lab it up at home. Document your home network setup. Set up a pfSense firewall. VLANs. Whatever. Take screenshots, write about problems you ran into.

If you're into security

Do some CTF challenges. Write walkthroughs. Set up a home security lab with Kali Linux and intentionally vulnerable machines.

If you're into help desk/support

This one's trickier, but you can volunteer IT support for a local nonprofit, or help elderly neighbors with their tech issues and document common problems you solve.

The key is documentation. GitHub repos, blog posts, YouTube videos something that shows "I did this thing and I can explain it."

Your GitHub Shouldn't Be Empty (Or Scary)

Real talk your GitHub doesn't need to have some mind-blowing AI project. But it should have something. Even if it's just.

• Scripts that automate boring tasks
• Your notes and documentation from labs
• A simple website you built
• Configurations you've created

Quality over quantity. Three well-documented projects beat 50 empty repos you forked and never touched.

Learn to Tell Your Story

Here's where it gets real you need to be able to talk about what you know in a way that doesn't sound like you're reading from a textbook.

Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical people. If you can make your parents or roommates understand what a subnet is, you're golden. This skill is ridiculously valuable and almost nobody has it when they're starting out.

Also, get comfortable talking about your projects. Not just "I built a website," but

• Why you built it
• What problems you ran into
• How you figured out solutions
• What you'd do differently next time

That last one is key. Showing self-awareness and the ability to reflect makes you sound mature and hireable.

Contribute to Open Source (Even in Small Ways)

I know this sounds intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. You don't need to contribute code to the Linux kernel. You can

• Fix typos in documentation (seriously, this counts)
• Add examples to unclear docs
• Test beta features and report bugs
• Help answer questions in project forums

This shows you can work with others, follow contribution guidelines, and function in a team environment. All things employers actually care about.

Network Like a Normal Human Being

Networking doesn't mean putting on a suit and going to awkward events (though that can help). It means

• Actually engaging on LinkedIn without being spammy
• Joining Discord servers or Slack communities for your area of interest
• Commenting thoughtfully on blog posts or articles
• Going to local meetups (yes, in person)

The goal isn't to collect business cards. It's to have genuine conversations with people in the field. Ask questions. Share what you're learning. Be helpful when you can.

Some of the best job leads come from someone saying, "Hey, my company is hiring want me to pass along your resume?"

Specialize in Something Weirdly Specific

Everyone knows Windows and Linux basics. Cool. But do you know PowerShell automation really well? Are you weirdly good at Excel? Do you actually understand DNS beyond "it's like a phone book for the internet"?

Find something that interests you and get genuinely good at it. Not expert-level necessarily, but good enough that you can solve real problems with it.

When you're the "PowerShell person" or the "DNS troubleshooting person," you become memorable. And memorable gets you hired.

Actually Care About the Companies You Apply To

I can't stress this enough stop spray-and-pray applications. Seriously.

Research the companies you're applying to. What tech stack do they use? What problems are they trying to solve? Can you speak to any of that in your cover letter or interview?

Showing genuine interest in what a company does goes a long way. It shows you're not just looking for "a job" but interested in this job.

Here's what I wish someone had told me standing out isn't about being the smartest person in the room or having the most credentials. It's about showing you can actually do things, learn from mistakes, and communicate like a human being.

Certifications get your resume past the ATS. Everything else gets you the job.

So yeah, keep those certs current. But spend just as much time building, documenting, and connecting with actual people. That's the stuff that makes hiring managers think, "We need to interview this person."

You've got this. Now go build something.

What helped you stand out when you were job hunting? Drop a comment I'd love to hear what worked (or didn't work) for you.