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Looking for a job and need advice on learning MSSQL 2005/2008 without job experience

  • February 5, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    #231047

    Hi,

    I have been working as MSSQL 2000 developer and administrator for over 4 years. I started looking for a new job recently, and realized that all the current DBA/developer jobs require at least 2005 and often 2008 experience, which I unfortunately do not have.

    I'd like to get advice from the community - basically have 2 questions:

    1. What is the best way to learn MSSQL 2005/2008 other than from a job (i.e. I need to get some experience with 2005/2008 to at least be given a chance in a company which values my MSSQL 2000 experience, but really needs 2005/2008 experience)?

    2. What websites or other places would you advise me to search/post resume to ... or any other advice [btw, I live in NYC and looking for a job here].

    Thanks a lot!

  • April 12, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    #1310626

    Answering your question about training materials

    SQL Server 2005

    Kimberly Tripp record the whole series 'MSDN Webcast: A Primer to Proper SQL Server Development ' for SQL Sever 2005 developers, this is the first episode

    - https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032278586&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

    SQL Server 2008

    - SQLSkills provided vidoes for Microsoft Certified Master on SQL Sever, these are one of the best trainers on SQL Server on the market , and it's for free

    Videos: http://www.sqlskills.com/T_MCMVideos.asp

    Reading list : http://www.sqlskills.com/MCM.asp

    I hope this helps.

    Cheers, Max

    Check-out free open-source utility Sql Server Replication Explorer[/url]

  • April 12, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    #1310694

    With respect to #1:

    1. Hone your SQL skills on 2000, and I mean really nail them down. Understanding set based theory at more than a "I can write SQL, and complex SQL at that" level will get you very far. My reasoning here is that the majority of work that most DBA's do isn't really tied to the version, but more to the concepts and understanding of RDMS's in general.

    2. Learn what the new features are of 05 and 08. I'm not saying necessarily learn how to use them, although that would be good 😉 I'm saying, learn what they are meant for. You should at least be able to explain what you don't know.

    3. And finally, grab a trial version of SQL 2008 and start learning, it's free (at least for 6 months).

    4. As you get/complete new work at your current employer, duplicate the work in 08. Use this for your homework.

    If you don't have the resources to install the trial on your home PC, convince your employer to let you use a test box for this specific reason. If there is no cost to them, what's the harm, especially if you sell it as "I'm learning to help the company".

    **just my 1.54221 cents worth

    ______________________________________________________________________

    Personal Motto: Why push the envelope when you can just open it?

    If you follow the direction given HERE[/url] you'll likely increase the number and quality of responses you get to your question.

    Jason L. Selburg

  • April 12, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    #1310747

    I like Jason's advice here. Duplicate your work on the newer version, get some practice with things.

    Be sure you look at how you can rewrite some code in 2005/208 with CTEs, Apply, and other new features.

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