Interview: What to Expect
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Hello -
I have an interview tomorrow for a database developer position. From what I was told, the job works with both SQL Server and Oracle. What kind of questions can I expect to have thrown at me?
I friend, who's an Oracle developer, said she was once asked what type of PL/SQL code she wrote. That question would've thrown me for a loop because I wouldn't have known how to answer it. (I think her response was that she used explicit cursors and something else which I can't think of right now.)
Any help in trying to estimate what to expect is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Thanks,
Brian
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Speaking from personal experience - I've been asked stuff like how familiar I am with basic select, insert, updates.....when I would use stored procedures - if I have used cursors etc...
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one interview where I was actually given a problem and then left with QA to work it out...
I LOVED the second one as I didn't have to do any talking and since it was just me and QA I had a blast trying to find the solution instead of getting all nervous and jittery playing 20 questions...
But then it takes all kinds and it all depends on the person interviewing you! Here're links to some articles on this site that you can read:
**ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!** -
If it is specifically an interview regarding a job that requires both SQL Server and Oracle knowledge I would have asked a little about cursors. Have the person describe how they work and differ in the products, and when they should be used. Often a candidate will be strong with one of the products but have barely touched the other, and that would show very easily with this question.
Not sure what type of DBA job it is, but I always like to have a candidate do some database designing. A simple scenario such as students/teachers/classes/locations or similar. Just let them draw it up on the whiteboard and explain their thoughts while they do so.
Another thing I would probably ask if I were to do an interview for a SQL Server DBA right now is some questions regarding Yukon (SQL Server 2005). Nothing low-level detail, but not the basic marketing stuff that more or less everyone knows either. I would probably start by chatting a little about it, see if the candidate knows something simple as the release date for it. Then perhaps what features they think will be the most important, and why. I have no need for the candidate to have installed and played with the beta, but I am looking for someone who at least has an interest in staying up to date with the latest stuff.
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