Jr sql dba phone interview questions

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Jr sql dba phone interview questions

ddlawal

SSC Veteran

Points: 205
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January 7, 2010 at 12:19 am

#215375

Hi all,
I am a rookie sql jr dba preparing for a phone interview. Would appreciate any input on what kind of questions to expect.
I am as rookie as can be.
Thanks

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

We generally don't give interview questions here. It doesn't help anyone to give someone questions and answers so that they can pass an interview they should not have been able to.

Relax, don't exaggerate what you know and don't be afraid of saying 'I don't know' (especially as a junior), though if you do, have a plan for how you will find out.

It might be worth taking a look at this: http://www.brentozar.com/becoming-a-dba/how-to-get-a-junior-dba-job/

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

tyson.price SSCrazy Points: 2093 More actions · Answer 2

also make sure you spelled dba correctly on your resume 😀

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 3

As Gail said, don't exaggerate yourself. You need to sell yourself, try to do it honestly. Knowing that you don't know everything will be helpful and knowing how to learn what you don't know will also be helpful.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004339 More actions · Answer 4

ddlawal (1/7/2010)
Hi all,
I am a rookie sql jr dba preparing for a phone interview. Would appreciate any input on what kind of questions to expect.
I am as rookie as can be.
Thanks

The others are correct about many of us not helping with interview questions but, there's one I have to ask you... DBA's and many "Ninja" SQL Developers have to spend many long hours honing their skills, learning the tricks of the trade (training is simply NOT enough), keeping up with new things that come out, learning to smile and still say "No" and then offer a viable alternative, long hours, and generally make themselves available on a 24/365 basis for way too little money for what the job calls for.

With that in mind, why do YOU want to be a DBA?

Obviously, I'm not going to give you the answer on that one (pork chops to anyone who gives you suggestions on that :hehe:). You have to know and if the answer is a line of BS, a good interviewer will know. 😉

I'll also tell you that if you haven't had SQL Server Developer's Edition installed on your home computer and haven't been actively working on self training for at least the last 3 months, you're going to find it difficult to answer some of the questions that a good interviewer will ask you even for a junior position. All the training in the world is useless unless you have a good amount of hands-on time.

--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)

ddlawal SSC Veteran Points: 205 More actions · Answer 5

Sorry "Almighty" Guru........was just looking for pointers.

Point well taken.:-D

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004339 More actions · Answer 6

Heh... it WAS a pointer! Seriously... why do you want to be a DBA?

--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)

ddlawal SSC Veteran Points: 205 More actions · Answer 7

Been in IT for awhile. Never felt so fullfilled since I took on dba role.

Being a hard worker, I love the challenge and the constant trying to better myself keeps me out of trouble.;-) I also love the prestige attached to the position.

I need a mentor too.......any takers?

Ray K SSC-Dedicated Points: 31163 More actions · Answer 8

ddlawal (1/8/2010)
I need a mentor too.......any takers?

Just keep posting to these forums. You'll find plenty of 'em! 🙂

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Check out my blog at https://pianorayk.wordpress.com/

GSquared SSC Guru Points: 260824 More actions · Answer 9

Ray K (1/8/2010)
ddlawal (1/8/2010)
I need a mentor too.......any takers?
Just keep posting to these forums. You'll find plenty of 'em! 🙂

Have to agree with that one.

Can't hurt to find out if there's a local PASS chapter where you are and hook up with them too.

On the original question, I expect you'll get some questions on subjects like backups, disaster recovery, T-SQL basics, and why you want to be a DBA. Can't be sure, different managers = different questions.

One of the best interview questions I was ever asked was, "Describe to me a time when you had to do the DBA equivalent of changing a flat tire on a moving bus, full of screaming managers, while the bus was on fire". Another was, "Tell me about a time when you had to fix something another employee had messed up", followed by "who won?"

I won't say what answers I gave, but I felt those questions got more details about my ability to think and to work in a team than "Name some DBCC commands" or "What's a clustered index?"

So, prepare yourself for that kind of thing as well as for basic technical questions. If you know what they need, that's one thing, but most managers will be looking for a balance of technical expertise and the ability to fit in with the team.

- Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
Property of The Thread

"Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 10

Ray K (1/8/2010)
ddlawal (1/8/2010)
I need a mentor too.......any takers?
Just keep posting to these forums. You'll find plenty of 'em! 🙂

Agree I must with this comment. Much learning have I done on SSC.

ddlawal SSC Veteran Points: 205 More actions · Answer 11

Thanks a whole bunch Gsquared.

I am already registered with my local PASS here. Attending my first meeting in bout a week. Hopefully will run into a mentor or two.

Thanks again for the helpful info.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004339 More actions · Answer 12

ddlawal (1/8/2010)
Been in IT for awhile. Never felt so fullfilled since I took on dba role.
Being a hard worker, I love the challenge and the constant trying to better myself keeps me out of trouble.;-) I also love the prestige attached to the position.
I need a mentor too.......any takers?

Then, you'll do very well.

As others have said, you'll find many "mentors" on this site. Most of the really good ones will demand that you show what you've tried just to show that you're really interested in learning something new which is really what this site is all about (IMHO).

It's almost impossible for you to "prepare" for questions that people will ask you on an interview. Just be yourself and be 100% honest. "Absolute Honesty" is a highly valued trait in DBA's because if you can't trust the DBA, you need to get rid of him/her. I hired a guy once based on his absolute honesty more than what he knew because I knew he would learn quickly. It was a bit more complex than that, but that's what it boiled down to in that case.

--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)

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 13

ddlawal (1/8/2010)
Thanks a whole bunch Gsquared.
I am already registered with my local PASS here. Attending my first meeting in bout a week. Hopefully will run into a mentor or two.
Thanks again for the helpful info.

A suggestion: When attending your PASS meetings, get involved. Don't be afraid to speak up, mingle, ask questions, answer questions. If there is something specific you would like to learn, it doesn't hurt to suggest it be used as a presentation topic. You will get more out of attendance and the group will benefit too.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 14

If I may ask, where in the world are you based?

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