Certifications vs Experience – what really gets you over the line
Ask anyone in tech what matters most when you are building a career, and you will usually hear two words – certifications and experience. Both have their place, but they do different jobs. At SLEEQ, we believe certifications keep your foundations strong, while experience turns those foundations into impact.
Where certifications help
Certifications are the baseline. They prove commitment, keep skills current, and give teams a shared language. They are also highly valued by clients, because badges show clear standards of quality and credibility.
Why hands-on experience matters
Real projects rarely follow the textbook. Experience is judgement in motion – knowing when configuration beats code, how to keep a solution maintainable, and how to explain options to a non-technical stakeholder. Customers feel the difference when solutions are simple, sustainable, and delivered with confidence.
What hiring managers look for
We value certifications, then look deeper. Can you apply what you know? Can you show outcomes, not just tasks? The trade-offs you made, the risks you flagged early, the results you delivered – these are what set strong candidates apart. A single demo or artefact often says more than a wall of badges.
Building experience if you are new
If you are just starting out, make it real. Build a small app in a dev org, document it as if a customer will read it, or contribute to a training repo. Pair with someone on a case study or run a proof of concept in a sandbox. A few practical examples carry more weight than pages of theory.
How we balance it at SLEEQ
Our squads are staffed for impact. That means enough certifications to keep standards clear, backed by people with lived project experience who can make good calls under pressure. You will see the same approach in onboarding and in how we support growth through funded certifications.
What this means for clients
Clients get the best of both worlds. Certifications provide consistency and assurance. Experience ensures solutions are practical, secure, and sustainable. Together, they reduce surprises and deliver quality that compounds.
Curious about your own balance?
If you are wondering where your mix of certifications and experience fits best, we would love to talk. Explore our open roles or get in touch to map out your pathway at SLEEQ.
