Docker Job Readiness

Entry-level resume snapshot

Skills: Docker, Docker Compose, Dockerfile (multi-stage), Docker Hub + GHCR, Trivy security scanning, Caddy/nginx reverse proxy, volume management, healthchecks. Projects: 'Containerized a Next.js + Python + Postgres app with Docker Compose, deployed to a $5 VPS at <url>; multi-stage builds cut image size from 1.2GB to 95MB.' 'Built a CI pipeline (GitHub Actions) that builds + scans + pushes images to GHCR on every commit to main.' Certs: Docker Certified Associate (optional); CKAD / CKA (after Kubernetes sub-track).

Interview questions you'll face

'What's the difference between a container and a VM?' 'Walk me through a multi-stage Dockerfile.' 'How does Docker Compose handle service dependencies?' 'How would you reduce a 1GB image to 100MB?' 'Your container exits immediately on startup. How do you debug it?' 'How do you keep your images secure?' (Pin versions, multi-stage, non-root user, scan with Trivy.)

Build a portfolio that gets interviews

Two of these inside 30 days.

1. 1

   Ship the do-docker-passion live URL.

2. 2

   Write a blog post: 'How I cut my Docker image from 1.2GB to 95MB' or 'Healthchecks in Compose: the bug that bit me'.

3. 3

   Push 3+ well-documented images to Docker Hub or GHCR; pin versions; include README.

4. 4

   Contribute to a public Dockerfile: optimize size, add multi-stage, or fix a CVE.

5. 5

   Record a 5-min Loom walking through your Compose stack.

Common mistakes only candidates with offers avoid

Listing 'Docker' with no public image. Single-stage Dockerfiles in portfolio code. Tells the interviewer you haven't learned multi-stage yet. `:latest` tags everywhere. Tells the interviewer you don't deploy real systems. Skipping the security story. Trivy + non-root + pinned versions is interview gold.