Need help landing first job

  • I've been using databases for a little over 2 yrs now and feel it's time to start my "DBA" career. There's NEVER any Jr. DBA job postings so I was thinking of writing a letter with my resume attached and sending it out to big companies that I think might need a Jr. DBA, preferably a company with a SR DBA so I could learn. First, is that a good idea or does it make me look to desperate? Second, I'm not a good writer so if anyone knows of any pointers or examples I could use that would help. Thanks in advance!

  • It's a good idea, though honestly I'd apply to any regular DBA jobs you see, note what experience you have and that you are willing to learn. I might also apply to developer jobs that require SQL Server, or sysadmin jobs. Never know when someone might need a junior, but they don't post a job.

    As far as writing a letter, make sure you have 2 or 3 people review your letter for grammer/spelling, and the message. Talk about why you want to work for that company, and what skills you are bringing.

  • Sounds good Steve, I'm really glad you replied. I see all the accomplishments you have made during your lifetime and it makes me motivated even more.

    Still...I am horrible at writing letters and expressing my abilities in a way that doesn't sound....well....dumb. 🙁 Any help with the letter would be appreciated. C'mon English majors! 🙂

  • Did a quick search (google) and Results 1 - 10 of about 2,830,000 for resume cover letter samples. Might find a few you can use by cutting and pasting your name in the right locations.

    In addition to cover letter/resume

    A good place to develop contacts -- is your local user group .. to find the nearest one use:

    http://www.sqlpass.org/PASSChapters.aspx

    Attend the meetings, speak to people - someone's company might just be looking for a person like yourself but not advertising the opening.

    If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    Ron

    Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
    Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

  • SQL08Kid (1/15/2010)


    I've been using databases for a little over 2 yrs now and feel it's time to start my "DBA" career. There's NEVER any Jr. DBA job postings so I was thinking of writing a letter with my resume attached and sending it out to big companies that I think might need a Jr. DBA, preferably a company with a SR DBA so I could learn. First, is that a good idea or does it make me look to desperate? Second, I'm not a good writer so if anyone knows of any pointers or examples I could use that would help. Thanks in advance!

    Not a challenge... a lesson...

    What have you accomplished in those 2 years In SQL?

    Think about it... 😉 Then, add that right after the "Objective" section of your resume in a section titled "Major Accomplishments".

    --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)

  • A further few hints. Never ever send a cover letter/resume to a Chief Technical Officer or IT Manger in which you ask for a job. In many companies the recipient is required to forward them to the personnel department, who will check outstanding needs, if none, they either file it in a 6 month holding file, or trash it immediately.

    If you are going to write, write to a CTO or IT Mgr - I would suggest in your cover letter you state something like this.

    " From other outstanding members of your industry I have learned that you might assist me in my endeavor. I am considering changes career fields and desire to become a database administrator. If you please, and have the time, would you review my attached resume with my objective in mind and suggest improvements that I could make.

    I will call your office on ......insert a date about a week into the future at insert a time either mid morning or mid afternoon to see if we can discuss this matter.

    Thanking you in advance ....

    Your signature"

    Of course at the top of you letter will be your street address, telephone number and email address and the date the letter was written.

    Then follow up and call the individual, unless you get an email reply telling you not to.

    The objective of the cover letter --

    Almost everyone likes to be thought of as being important by his/her peers and it is said a little flattery never hurts.

    Most people are willing to help others when properly asked. (Just look here, as I write this you have 3 complete strangers (Steve, Jeff, myself)

    attempting to assist you.

    Either way, it gets your foot in the door, so to speak.

    And if some talks to you in response to your phone call, be sure to write them a thank you letter...who knows when they may need a jr DBA and with the correspondence might remember your name.

    How do you find the CTO/Mgr name -- simple call their switch board and ask and by all means get the spelling correct.

    If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    Ron

    Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
    Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

  • Have a read through this: http://www.brentozar.com/becoming-a-dba/how-to-get-a-junior-dba-job/

    If you have no DBA experience, it is very unlikely that you will get hired, even as a junior DBA. Those jobs usually require some experience. What you've got a greater chance of is moving internally, within a company, into a DBA position

    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
  • With Gail's thought about only experience getting hired... you can get some experience by volunteering for charity groups and churches.

    She's also pretty much correct that the best chances are available in internal moves. Remember, the answer is always "No" unless you ask. 😉

    --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)

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