How's this for a Job Description

  • Perry Whittle (10/26/2012)

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    Brandie Tarvin (10/26/2012)

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    Supply their own equipment? I mean, phones I get. But laptops?

    This is quite common for contract staff

    Not where I work it isn't. We have desk, cubicles, and PCs supplied to them.

    Not sure where you're posting from but in the UK being supplied with equipment can be a very bad thing if you're contracting. It's one of the main indicators that your actually an employee in all but name which has all sorts of tax implications. So for me I'd rather they didn't even lay on tea bags. Perverse, I know, but there you have it.

    On the "must be able to work in a dynamic enviroment" issue, I'm always 50/50 on this. I don't have alot of time for people who like to live in ivory towers and I've worked with plenty of developers (I'm primarily a dev rather than a dba) who feel somehow affronted if a client can't spec the exact requirement down to the legth of every varchar field 6 months before development starts. That's just unrealistic and a good way to alienate your customer. On the flip side, the client and/or the management of the company has to understand that change costs and late change costs more. If they have that understanding and are willing to negotiate rather than dictate a position then change can be accomodated as often as not. A well implement Agile aproach is actualy pretty good for this - the problem is that so many organisation implement it badly and it quickly becomes a hackers charter.

  • I work in the U.S. My employer supplies the equipment, but they own it outright and are just lending it to the employee during their contract. Of course, contracters are expected to come into the office every day (these aren't remote jobs) and do their work and leave the equipment AT work at the end of the day.

    The only exception is loaner laptops that are checked out from the Help Desk and must be returned by a certain date. If the contractors try to keep the laptops, there's all sorts of trouble.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • I work in the U.S. My employer supplies the equipment, but they own it outright and are just lending it to the employee during their contract. Of course, contracters are expected to come into the office every day (these aren't remote jobs) and do their work and leave the equipment AT work at the end of the day.

    ...which is a far more sensible aproach in my opinion. Our legislation creates all sorts of bizarre contradictions. Most contracts stipulate that you can come and go as you please as long as the product/service is delievered... but most clients will still expect you to clock in and out... just for record keeping purposes you understand. And your client can't make you attend a meeting that's necessary for you to complete a project... but they can invite you to attend. And worst of all... you're not allowed to go on the christmas dinner! (Although you can, of course, choose to have your own company christmas dinner at the same time in the same restaurant).

    I understand what they're trying to do with our legislation but they left it so wooly and ill-defined that they just encourage contractors to be, ahem, creative in the wording of their contracts. In fact, most agencies now employ someone who specialises in wording a contract just so...

  • I just ran across this one; I can't help but post it. This list is just part of the total job requirements:

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    - In depth knowledge and experience with network component analyzers, scanners, testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.

    - Skill in various computer applications such as Cisco Works, Netflows, Network Management Systems, MRTG, Packet Sniffers, Solar Winds, DNS, DHCP, Syslog, SNMP, spreadsheets, database, internet tools, and performance monitoring tools.

    - Proficient with TCP/IP, application network protocols, firewall management, operating system configuration, anti-virus software, and relational databases.

    - Advanced knowledge in at least two of the following: Linux, MySQL, Apache, XML, Mac OS, Windows OS, and NOS and Novell Netware.

    - Advanced knowledge with Perl, shell, and or scripting tools

    - Skill with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of systems hardware.

    - Advanced knowledge with enterprise-level LAN and Wireless LAN, routers, hubs, switches, access points, radio frequencies, TCP/IP, IEEE 802.11 protocols, and electromagnetic interference.

    - Advanced knowledge with Wireless LAN security threats, and software weaknesses, site surveys/design tools for the purpose of creating efficient and effective Wireless LAN signal overlap, Wireless LAN packet analysis, signal optimization, and mitigation strategies.

    - In depth knowledge and experience with SQL, PL/SQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MS Access.

  • Lee Crain (11/6/2012)


    I just ran across this one; I can't help but post it. This list is just part of the total job requirements:

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    - In depth knowledge and experience with network component analyzers, scanners, testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.

    - Skill in various computer applications such as Cisco Works, Netflows, Network Management Systems, MRTG, Packet Sniffers, Solar Winds, DNS, DHCP, Syslog, SNMP, spreadsheets, database, internet tools, and performance monitoring tools.

    - Proficient with TCP/IP, application network protocols, firewall management, operating system configuration, anti-virus software, and relational databases.

    - Advanced knowledge in at least two of the following: Linux, MySQL, Apache, XML, Mac OS, Windows OS, and NOS and Novell Netware.

    - Advanced knowledge with Perl, shell, and or scripting tools

    - Skill with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of systems hardware.

    - Advanced knowledge with enterprise-level LAN and Wireless LAN, routers, hubs, switches, access points, radio frequencies, TCP/IP, IEEE 802.11 protocols, and electromagnetic interference.

    - Advanced knowledge with Wireless LAN security threats, and software weaknesses, site surveys/design tools for the purpose of creating efficient and effective Wireless LAN signal overlap, Wireless LAN packet analysis, signal optimization, and mitigation strategies.

    - In depth knowledge and experience with SQL, PL/SQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MS Access.

    I checked, but Superman isn't available right now.

    Need an answer? No, you need a question
    My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
    MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

  • Lee Crain (11/6/2012)


    I just ran across this one; I can't help but post it. This list is just part of the total job requirements:

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    - In depth knowledge and experience with network component analyzers, scanners, testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.

    - Skill in various computer applications such as Cisco Works, Netflows, Network Management Systems, MRTG, Packet Sniffers, Solar Winds, DNS, DHCP, Syslog, SNMP, spreadsheets, database, internet tools, and performance monitoring tools.

    - Proficient with TCP/IP, application network protocols, firewall management, operating system configuration, anti-virus software, and relational databases.

    - Advanced knowledge in at least two of the following: Linux, MySQL, Apache, XML, Mac OS, Windows OS, and NOS and Novell Netware.

    - Advanced knowledge with Perl, shell, and or scripting tools

    - Skill with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of systems hardware.

    - Advanced knowledge with enterprise-level LAN and Wireless LAN, routers, hubs, switches, access points, radio frequencies, TCP/IP, IEEE 802.11 protocols, and electromagnetic interference.

    - Advanced knowledge with Wireless LAN security threats, and software weaknesses, site surveys/design tools for the purpose of creating efficient and effective Wireless LAN signal overlap, Wireless LAN packet analysis, signal optimization, and mitigation strategies.

    - In depth knowledge and experience with SQL, PL/SQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MS Access.

    So they're looking for Seal Team Six, then?

    Or, maybe just a team of IT professionals who will apply using a single resume and cramming all their skills onto it.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Yes, times are hard. Employees need to wear multiple hats.

  • Brandie Tarvin (11/7/2012)


    Lee Crain (11/6/2012)


    I just ran across this one; I can't help but post it. This list is just part of the total job requirements:

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    - In depth knowledge and experience with network component analyzers, scanners, testing tools and procedures for voice and data circuits.

    - Skill in various computer applications such as Cisco Works, Netflows, Network Management Systems, MRTG, Packet Sniffers, Solar Winds, DNS, DHCP, Syslog, SNMP, spreadsheets, database, internet tools, and performance monitoring tools.

    - Proficient with TCP/IP, application network protocols, firewall management, operating system configuration, anti-virus software, and relational databases.

    - Advanced knowledge in at least two of the following: Linux, MySQL, Apache, XML, Mac OS, Windows OS, and NOS and Novell Netware.

    - Advanced knowledge with Perl, shell, and or scripting tools

    - Skill with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of systems hardware.

    - Advanced knowledge with enterprise-level LAN and Wireless LAN, routers, hubs, switches, access points, radio frequencies, TCP/IP, IEEE 802.11 protocols, and electromagnetic interference.

    - Advanced knowledge with Wireless LAN security threats, and software weaknesses, site surveys/design tools for the purpose of creating efficient and effective Wireless LAN signal overlap, Wireless LAN packet analysis, signal optimization, and mitigation strategies.

    - In depth knowledge and experience with SQL, PL/SQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MS Access.

    So they're looking for Seal Team Six, then?

    Or, maybe just a team of IT professionals who will apply using a single resume and cramming all their skills onto it.

    All for the generous salary of $26.83/hour paid as salary, no over time, and on call 24/7.

  • You overstated the pay.

  • Did you hastily re-type that (I doubt it) or did they seriously send that as is? The posting has many redundancies, misspellings, grammatical errors and seems to bounce all over the place. I’m not an English major or anything, but if they can’t put in the time to organize and spell-check their own job posting, what would they be like to work for?

    I’m not qualified, but I’d pass if I was.

  • No, I copied that segment of the job posting verbatim. It was from a job posting for a position at a college in Utah County, Utah, near BYU.

    What can I say? Life's different in the mountain West.

    I'm between jobs right now. I had an interview today for a contract position. The first question out of the Lead DBA's mouth was:

    "Can you tell me what the 4 SQL Server system databases are?"

    I replied with the answer. He acted impressed. He responded that he has received a lot of blank stares in response to that question.

    My guess is that he substituted it for the usual "ACID" question.

  • Lee Crain (11/7/2012)


    I'm between jobs right now. I had an interview today for a contract position. The first question out of the Lead DBA's mouth was:

    "Can you tell me what the 4 SQL Server system databases are?"

    I replied with the answer. He acted impressed. He responded that he has received a lot of blank stares in response to that question.

    My guess is that he substituted it for the usual "ACID" question.

    You didn't reply with: "There are actually 5 system databases?" 😀

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178028.aspx

    (6 if you count the replication Distribution database)

    Need an answer? No, you need a question
    My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
    MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

  • Koen Verbeeck (11/7/2012)


    Lee Crain (11/7/2012)


    I'm between jobs right now. I had an interview today for a contract position. The first question out of the Lead DBA's mouth was:

    "Can you tell me what the 4 SQL Server system databases are?"

    I replied with the answer. He acted impressed. He responded that he has received a lot of blank stares in response to that question.

    My guess is that he substituted it for the usual "ACID" question.

    You didn't reply with: "There are actually 5 system databases?" 😀

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178028.aspx

    (6 if you count the replication Distribution database)

    That only counts if you enable replication, though. @=)

    But if we're going in that direction, you're missing 2 dbs. The ones installed with Reporting Services.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Brandie Tarvin (11/8/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (11/7/2012)


    Lee Crain (11/7/2012)


    I'm between jobs right now. I had an interview today for a contract position. The first question out of the Lead DBA's mouth was:

    "Can you tell me what the 4 SQL Server system databases are?"

    I replied with the answer. He acted impressed. He responded that he has received a lot of blank stares in response to that question.

    My guess is that he substituted it for the usual "ACID" question.

    You didn't reply with: "There are actually 5 system databases?" 😀

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178028.aspx

    (6 if you count the replication Distribution database)

    That only counts if you enable replication, though. @=)

    But if we're going in that direction, you're missing 2 dbs. The ones installed with Reporting Services.

    I wouldnt classify those as system databases as they're installed as a subset of SQL's application functionality and are not required for sql server to function.

  • Brandie Tarvin (11/8/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (11/7/2012)


    Lee Crain (11/7/2012)


    I'm between jobs right now. I had an interview today for a contract position. The first question out of the Lead DBA's mouth was:

    "Can you tell me what the 4 SQL Server system databases are?"

    I replied with the answer. He acted impressed. He responded that he has received a lot of blank stares in response to that question.

    My guess is that he substituted it for the usual "ACID" question.

    You didn't reply with: "There are actually 5 system databases?" 😀

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178028.aspx

    (6 if you count the replication Distribution database)

    That only counts if you enable replication, though. @=)

    Yes, but there are still 5 instead of 4: the resource DB is left out by the interviewer.

    There are only 4 visible though.

    The SSRS databases, as well as those horrendous SharePoint databases, are application databases in my opinion, and not system databases. They are listed amongst the regular user databases.

    Need an answer? No, you need a question
    My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
    MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

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