How to find a SQL Server DBA Job
October 7th 2008 12:19
How to find a SQL Server DBA Job
Problem
I am new to the SQL Server platform and want to break into the field. I have been doing IT work for a while now and I am looking to focus my career on SQL Server. Do you have any suggestions? Where should I start? What should I be prepared for during the interview process?
Solution
Congrats and welcome to the field. It will probably be a long road, but one of the first decisions that needs to be made is exactly what you want to do. You could work as a DBA, Developer, BI developer, BI Admin or a combination of some or all of these areas. As a matter of fact, many people wear multiple hats at any one company. In addition, people switch focuses during their careers for a variety of reasons so your decision does not need to be cast in stone. Making the final decision is often difficult at the very beginning of the process, so it might be a better decision for some people to expose yourself to all of the options and then try to make a decision based on what you enjoy.
To gain insight into the field and different career paths you could learn in one or more of the following ways:
Talk to current SQL Server DBAs, Developers, BI Developers, etc. in your company or in your community to get a feel for the work schedule and daily tasks
You might be surprised, your current employer may be looking for SQL Server Professionals which might simplify the overall process
Attend community events such as user group meetings, SQL Saturday events, Code Camps or SQL PASS to learn about the different technologies and career aspects
Spend sometime at the book store or online researching the position on SQL Server web sites and the technical skills needed
Make an investment in formal training on SQL Server technologies from a variety of training providers
Once you have a sense of your career choice, then begin to broaden and deepen your technical knowledge in preparation for the interview:
Once again you could use the resources listed above i.e. books, SQL Server web sites, user group meetings, SQL Saturday events, Code Camps or SQL PASS
Consider the applicable SQL Server certifications as a stepping stone in the process
Debate - The Value of the MCDBA\MCITP
BA Certification
SQL Server 2000 and 2005 Certification Resources
Do not forget about your current technical and non technical skills as a means to set yourself apart during the interview process as well
Project Management for DBAs and Developers
Get a sense of the interview questions you may be asked during the process, here are some examples:
SQL Server T-SQL Functions Interview Questions
SQL Server Security Interview Questions
SQL Server Integration Services Interview Questions
SQL Server Backup and Recovery Interview Questions
SQL Server 2005 New Features Interview Questions
SQL Server T-SQL Interview Questions
SQL Server Performance Tuning Interview Questions
SQL Server System Databases Interview Questions
SQL Server Agent Interview Questions
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 3
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 2
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 1
SQL Server Concurrency and Locking Interview Questions
When you have your technical skills inline, then get ready for the interview:
Prepare the following items:
Resume
Cover letter
References
Have a practice interview with someone you know who can provide constructive feedback to help during the actual interview
Start to distribute your resume on online and proactively submit your resume to organizations posting positions online, in the news paper, etc.
As far as the interview process is concerned, each company has their own process, but be prepared for the following at a minimum:
Phone interview
Technical interview
Managerial interview
Peer interview
Situational interview
Skills test
*** NOTE *** - Early in the process, be sure to ask some probing questions to find out about the process, attire, people you will be interviewing with, etc.
During the interview process be sure you do the following:
Make sure the company is somewhere you would be comfortable working
Make sure the work environment is constructive and can help your career grow as you make contributions to the organization
Make sure you will be comfortable working with the team and the management in the long term
Besides preparing answers for your technical questions, be sure you know your expectations of the following, because they may or may not coincide with the organization:
Salary, benefits, holidays, etc.
Work schedule
On call schedule
Training
If you are fortunate to get your first break as a SQL Server professional, take it in stride. It might not be exactly what you want, but it just might be the break you need to start your career. If not, continue to research companies, talk to people in your network and see what opportunities your current employer can offer you.
Problem
I am new to the SQL Server platform and want to break into the field. I have been doing IT work for a while now and I am looking to focus my career on SQL Server. Do you have any suggestions? Where should I start? What should I be prepared for during the interview process?
Solution
Congrats and welcome to the field. It will probably be a long road, but one of the first decisions that needs to be made is exactly what you want to do. You could work as a DBA, Developer, BI developer, BI Admin or a combination of some or all of these areas. As a matter of fact, many people wear multiple hats at any one company. In addition, people switch focuses during their careers for a variety of reasons so your decision does not need to be cast in stone. Making the final decision is often difficult at the very beginning of the process, so it might be a better decision for some people to expose yourself to all of the options and then try to make a decision based on what you enjoy.
To gain insight into the field and different career paths you could learn in one or more of the following ways:
Talk to current SQL Server DBAs, Developers, BI Developers, etc. in your company or in your community to get a feel for the work schedule and daily tasks
You might be surprised, your current employer may be looking for SQL Server Professionals which might simplify the overall process
Attend community events such as user group meetings, SQL Saturday events, Code Camps or SQL PASS to learn about the different technologies and career aspects
Spend sometime at the book store or online researching the position on SQL Server web sites and the technical skills needed
Make an investment in formal training on SQL Server technologies from a variety of training providers
Once you have a sense of your career choice, then begin to broaden and deepen your technical knowledge in preparation for the interview:
Once again you could use the resources listed above i.e. books, SQL Server web sites, user group meetings, SQL Saturday events, Code Camps or SQL PASS
Consider the applicable SQL Server certifications as a stepping stone in the process
Debate - The Value of the MCDBA\MCITP
BA Certification SQL Server 2000 and 2005 Certification Resources
Do not forget about your current technical and non technical skills as a means to set yourself apart during the interview process as well
Project Management for DBAs and Developers
Get a sense of the interview questions you may be asked during the process, here are some examples:
SQL Server T-SQL Functions Interview Questions
SQL Server Security Interview Questions
SQL Server Integration Services Interview Questions
SQL Server Backup and Recovery Interview Questions
SQL Server 2005 New Features Interview Questions
SQL Server T-SQL Interview Questions
SQL Server Performance Tuning Interview Questions
SQL Server System Databases Interview Questions
SQL Server Agent Interview Questions
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 3
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 2
SQL Server DBA Interview Questions Part 1
SQL Server Concurrency and Locking Interview Questions
When you have your technical skills inline, then get ready for the interview:
Prepare the following items:
Resume
Cover letter
References
Have a practice interview with someone you know who can provide constructive feedback to help during the actual interview
Start to distribute your resume on online and proactively submit your resume to organizations posting positions online, in the news paper, etc.
As far as the interview process is concerned, each company has their own process, but be prepared for the following at a minimum:
Phone interview
Technical interview
Managerial interview
Peer interview
Situational interview
Skills test
*** NOTE *** - Early in the process, be sure to ask some probing questions to find out about the process, attire, people you will be interviewing with, etc.
During the interview process be sure you do the following:
Make sure the company is somewhere you would be comfortable working
Make sure the work environment is constructive and can help your career grow as you make contributions to the organization
Make sure you will be comfortable working with the team and the management in the long term
Besides preparing answers for your technical questions, be sure you know your expectations of the following, because they may or may not coincide with the organization:
Salary, benefits, holidays, etc.
Work schedule
On call schedule
Training
If you are fortunate to get your first break as a SQL Server professional, take it in stride. It might not be exactly what you want, but it just might be the break you need to start your career. If not, continue to research companies, talk to people in your network and see what opportunities your current employer can offer you.
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