Help! I have an interview for a DBA job tomorrow !

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Help! I have an interview for a DBA job tomorrow !

Loner

SSC-Insane

Points: 21279
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December 19, 2007 at 6:55 pm

#91477

I am a SQL Server developer and moonlighting as a DBA. I know how to backup, restore, create user, create user permission, create linked server, start and stop a server, look at error log to figure problem, run Profiler, fix transaction log if too full, find out whose transaction using up all the CPU and kill that jerk, find out which transaction caused the tempdb full...ok I am kind of a application DBA (Part time).
Since I am out of a job, I apply every job having SQL Server as the buss word. I must be crazy or I am very desperate. I applied for a DBA position. I did not even look at the job carefully. The company actually called me up for an interview even my resume was indicated I was a developer.
I am scared, I don't know how to do log shipping, failure clustering and all kinds of good stuffs a DBA does. I don't even know what a DBA does. The job description said to develop process to ensure high availability and recoverability of databases, collecting and analyzing data for capacity planning and performance monitoring.
I never care about those things.
Anyway I probably will not get the job!!!!!!!!!
:sick::crying:

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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happycat59 One Orange Chip Points: 29389 More actions · Answer 1

Have a look at http://www.sql-server-performance.com. You should be able to get some good info about capacity planning etc

Chandra Sekhara Vyas Dhara SSChampion Points: 10207 More actions · Answer 2

Chandra Sekhara Vyas Dhara

SSChampion

Points: 10207

December 19, 2007 at 10:05 pm

#761650

Refer BOL for Log Shipping and Clustering

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004318 More actions · Answer 3

... and don't panic... hit the books on those areas that you're light in... remind the future employer that your resume said "developer" and that you've got some boning up to do to be a full fledged DBA...

...another thing to remember is that you might be the best thing they've seen or will see... don't be afraid to sell your learning abilities... just don't lie about what you know. The truth always works the best and I wouldn't be surprised if you got the job.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

happycat59 One Orange Chip Points: 29389 More actions · Answer 4

Jeff is spot on with his recommendation about telling them the truth and highlighting your learning abilities (and contacting this forum is part of that) - it really is a refreshing to hear the truth. When I applied for a position with my current employer, a told them exactly what I knew (which was the relational database engine only), got the job and now, I am regularly developing SQL, Analysis Services, SSIS, Reporting Services and am about to be developing using Performance Point. My employer did believe me and still has faith in my abilities.

Good luck with your application

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736162 More actions · Answer 5

I agree with Jeff and highlight what you know, don't sweat what you don't. Show them you can learn and are willing to tackle any project. Show experiences from your past that demonstrate this.

And good luck!

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398882 More actions · Answer 6

Best of luck.

Just remember, you don't have to be the best DBA in the world, just the best DBA in the room. If you know stuff and no one else does, that makes you the expert, however light your knowledge may be. If you land the job, I'd recommend reading Craig Mullins book "Data Administration: The Complete Guide to Practices and Procedures." It's a general work that doesn't drill down on technology, but talks about responsibilities and processes and best practices that are generally applicable to the DBA job. It'll help.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

Adrian Nichols-360275 SSCertifiable Points: 7694 More actions · Answer 7

I'm so glad that you've got an interview! :w00t:

Remember to concentrate on what you can do, highlight what you have done in previous similar roles, and point out occasions where you've had to pick up the reigns and learn new skills in short periods of time.

You know you can do this job, they obviously think that you can do this job; show them that you can. Personal traits can overcome deficiencies in skills, having worked in many different environments shows how adaptable you can be.

Good luck with it, and let us know how you get on!

Ade

A Freudian Slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.
For detail-enriched answers, ask detail-enriched questions...[/url]

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 8

Whatever you do, don't lie to them. If you get asked a question on an area you're not familiar with, tell them that you're not that familiar with it. If you try to bluff based on some quick reading you may get caught out, especially if the interviewer knows the area well.

Personally I'd prefer honesty over knowledge in a candidate. Knowledge can be taught.

And congrats on the interview.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

ChrisM@Work SSC Guru Points: 186127 More actions · Answer 9

Well done Loner! Good luck on the day - and let us know how you get on!

^{“Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw}

For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

Sorin Petcu Hall of Fame Points: 3195 More actions · Answer 10

Hi,

I was scared too about applying on DBA job even I am software developer and worked several years with C++. I was prepared for this kind of interviews by learning and reading a lot of SQL server stuff, even on this site which is the most wonderful sql stuff site. From 5 interviews I had only one where I cannot faced but honorable because of complex tehnical interview (Informix database like). 2 of interviews were a succesful for me. One of them they told me finnaly that I am overskilled so it was my decision if I want to come join with them. I accepted cause of their good offer. So, now I am a DBA and proud to reach my dream. However, they hired me as software developer but my job duty is one of DBA. They want to help them as software developer too. 🙂

In Theory, theory and practice are the same...In practice, they are not.

nunYoBidnez Ten Centuries Points: 1128 More actions · Answer 11

Hi Loner, congratulations on the interview, I hope all went well and an offer for the follow-up interview is on it's way and that it will lead to an offer. There are no easy answers for interviews, each is unique, two people meeting for the first time. Think of what you respect and expect if you were interviewing someone, the person on the other side of the table. A good match for the team or department is the most important, then technical skills. There is no use in having the most knowledgeable person if they disrupt or can't work with the team. Take a deep breath and go for it!

Kindest Regards,

The art of doing mathematics consists in finding that special case which contains all the germs of generality.

Mark Shvarts 1 SSCertifiable Points: 5702 More actions · Answer 12

Many companies have too loose definitions for DBA role. I've been on some interviews where all they wanted from a "DBA" is to write stored procedures and stuff like that. If you feel as strong developer you don't have to worry about.