Kubernetes Certifications (CKA, CKAD, CKS)
Also written as CKA, CKAD, CKS, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist
Certifications from the Linux Foundation and CNCF. Unusually, they are practical exams: the candidate configures and fixes real clusters in a terminal against the clock, rather than answering multiple-choice questions. CKA covers running clusters, CKAD covers deploying applications onto them, and CKS, which requires a current CKA, covers security.
Think of it like
A practical driving test rather than the written theory test.
Junior or senior?
Because the exam is hands-on, a CKA or CKS is better evidence than most certificates. It still isn't production experience, so ask about real clusters and real incidents. CKAD suits developers; CKA suits platform and DevOps engineers.
Ask them
“Beyond the exam, what's the hardest problem you've fixed on a real Kubernetes cluster?”