"As" refers to something or someone's appearance or function. "Like" has the meaning 'similar to' and is used when comparing things. EXAMPLES: He went to other countries as a foreign diplomat. She is moving like a cat.

Compare: She looked like a princess. She looked as beautiful as a princess.

Like = similar to, but not exactly As = exactly the same "At my job, I work like a slave." = I'm not a slave, but it feels like it. "At my job, I work as a slave." = I am a slave. A real slave.

If you were to do similes (poem) you can us like or as : The sun was as blazing as my stove. My hair was like a blizzard. OR Like means: something you admire OR used in this way- The wind was cold. Like it was ice. As- My eyes shined as they stared into yours.