What You Learn vs What You Build : Not only Certifications But real projects are important
By Career counseling

What You Learn vs What You Build : In the cutthroat world of tech hiring, it’s not uncommon to receive a resume filled with certifications from top ed-tech platforms, such as Java, Python, Machine Learning, and AWS. Quite impressive titles. However, one important component is noticeably missing: projects. No capstone, no personal website, no GitHub link, and not even a straightforward group project to demonstrate real-world implementation.

Throughout my more than ten years of hiring experience, the focus has always been on real-world application. Although certifications signify a fundamental comprehension of ideas, they frequently fail to show the capacity to convert that understanding into workable solutions. When asked what they have built, the person with seven certifications but no projects could only cite their course assignments, which are a glaring example of theoretical knowledge lacking the essential step of independent creation.

A few months ago, I was reviewing resumes for an entry-level software development role. One candidate’s profile immediately caught my attention. A fresh Computer Science graduate. A list of 7 certifications from top ed-tech platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX, AWS, Google, and Microsoft.

Using Fancy Resume Template But still get Rejected by the ATS

Topics ranged from Java Programming, Python for Data Science, Machine Learning A-Z, to AWS Cloud Fundamentals. At first glance, it looked impressive. But as I kept reading, something was… missing.

There were no projects listed.

  • No GitHub profile.
  • No personal website.
  • No group assignments.
  • No mini-projects.
  • Not even a mention of a college capstone.

Why Projects Are Your Golden Ticket

They showcase practical skills: An e-commerce site clone, a data dashboard created using real-world datasets, a deployed to-do app, or a Python script automating a repetitive task are all tangible examples of how you can apply concepts you’ve learned to real-world situations.

They demonstrate initiative and passion: Even a small project created from the ground up demonstrates initiative, a willingness to learn outside of the classroom, and a sincere interest in the subject.

They provide talking points for interviews: Projects provide you with concrete examples to talk about, enabling you to explain your methods for solving problems, how you think, and the technologies you’ve used.

They reveal your problem-solving abilities: Every project has a unique set of difficulties. How you resolve them, troubleshoot problems, and refine your design says a lot about your abilities.

They build a portfolio: Potential employers can view your work directly from a strong portfolio of projects, which serves as a visual resume.

What Gets Noticed Instead?

I’ve hired candidates who:

  • Built a basic To-Do App and deployed it on Netlify or GitHub Pages
  • Created a data visualization dashboard using COVID-19 datasets
  • Cloned an e-commerce website to understand full-stack development
  • Automated routine Excel tasks using Python scripting
  • Designed a portfolio site and shared their journey on LinkedIn

Team player with excellent collaboration skills : Most common mistake by Candidates

These don’t need to be perfect.
They don’t need to go viral.
But they need to exist.

For Students and Freshers Reading This Stop Collecting, Start Building

The message is clear for students and recent graduates joining the tech industry: start building, not just collecting certificates. Although they are only the first step, certifications do have a role in verifying knowledge. Your ability to use that knowledge to create is what really sets you apart.

Setting yourself apart from the crowd can be achieved with even seemingly insignificant projects. These “doings”—whether it’s creating a personal website, automating a straightforward task, or participating in an open-source project—are what really grab hiring managers’ attention.

In the end, the tech sector employs doers rather than merely students. Therefore, apply the theoretical knowledge you have gained from your certifications to create tangible products.