June 8, 2011 at 1:26 am
I was thinking of taking exam 70-433 SQL Server 2008 Database Development, but have been told that I would need 6-12 months experience to pass the exam.
So, do any exams exist for beginners in relation to SQL Server?
June 19, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I would start with Exam 70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance.
There are a lot of simulation questions on this Exam. If you do not have the experience look at the preparation materials and practice.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-432&locale=en-us
For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/
For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/
June 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm
OK - many thanks. I will look at this one as well.
June 20, 2011 at 5:13 am
You do not necessarily need 6-12 months experience to pass the exam (though it would definitely help!).
Follow the study guide for the exam you are interested in and practice, practice, practice the concepts on it. This will teach you a huge amount, and following the study guide will provide a good structure for your learning.
If you want to become a DBA, study for exam 70-432 as previously advised.
If you want to become a developer, study for exam 70-433.
Mike.
June 20, 2011 at 5:36 am
Thanks very much for the advice. I may end up going for 70-433 in the end but will make a decision closer to the time.
June 22, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Back in the 1999-2001 era there there a ton of "paper MCSE" certifications handed out. It really devalued certifications for everyone.
At this point, employers do not value certifications for someone with no experience. The only value is if an employer is comparing otherwise equally qualified candidates.
Certifications plus experience are extremely helpful for giving you the edge for getting the best jobs.
Certs with no experience are worthless.
Just my opinion.
June 22, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Studying the matter is always a good thing.
Keep in mind you'll need to combine it with hands on experience as well.
I know people who practically know sqlserver very profound hands on, but haven't got any certs.
I also know people who are certified but don't have hands on experience at all.
IMHO it only plays a role if you're going on the market or if you are working for a consultancy company,...
Johan
Learn to play, play to learn !
Dont drive faster than your guardian angel can fly ...
but keeping both feet on the ground wont get you anywhere :w00t:
- How to post Performance Problems
- How to post data/code to get the best help[/url]
- How to prevent a sore throat after hours of presenting ppt
press F1 for solution, press shift+F1 for urgent solution 😀
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June 22, 2011 at 2:59 pm
ALZDBA (6/22/2011)
I know people who practically know sqlserver very profound hands on, but haven't got any certs.
I also know people who are certified but don't have hands on experience at all.
The person with both experience and the certifications will likely get the job over both of those types.
Lots of people can seem like a "know it all" on a given product. There are many people in IT with a "God" complex, as if everyone else is clueless except for themselves. These people also are normally dismissive of certifications for selfish purposes. They don't want to publicly value certs because that would point out their own lack of cert qualifications.
But I guarantee you that when HR, or other levels of the hiring process, are reviewing a mountain of resumes, the person with the certifications AND the experience jumps to the top of the search pile. MCTS, MCITP, MCDBA are typically search items that pop out on the search engines for SQL Server. If you have those qualifications, you will get a lot more opportunities thrown your direction.
In fact, based on my recent 2010 job search, I would estimate that MCITP and MCDBA is likely what set me apart from the 15 people interviewed. 3 of us were the finalists with 10+ years of experience, I was the only one certified. When all else is roughly equal, the person with the certs will get the job.
June 22, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Good point - experience and qualifications.
I am working on setting up my own relational database in SQL Server as a start and then going through all the additional areas in programmability, views etc., then looking at an example from a book and trying to relate it to my db, eg. stored procedure, function etc. so I understand what these do. Maybe then if I can set something up for a small business then I can say "I've done this..." etc.
But I imagine I will have to pace myself and my learning curve for SQL Server will be steeper than when I learnt Access, but not as steep as learning Oracle.
June 24, 2011 at 12:47 am
james.morrison 19355 (6/22/2011)
ALZDBA (6/22/2011)
I know people who practically know sqlserver very profound hands on, but haven't got any certs.
I also know people who are certified but don't have hands on experience at all.
The person with both experience and the certifications will likely get the job over both of those types.
Lots of people can seem like a "know it all" on a given product. There are many people in IT with a "God" complex, as if everyone else is clueless except for themselves. These people also are normally dismissive of certifications for selfish purposes. They don't want to publicly value certs because that would point out their own lack of cert qualifications.
But I guarantee you that when HR, or other levels of the hiring process, are reviewing a mountain of resumes, the person with the certifications AND the experience jumps to the top of the search pile. MCTS, MCITP, MCDBA are typically search items that pop out on the search engines for SQL Server. If you have those qualifications, you will get a lot more opportunities thrown your direction.
In fact, based on my recent 2010 job search, I would estimate that MCITP and MCDBA is likely what set me apart from the 15 people interviewed. 3 of us were the finalists with 10+ years of experience, I was the only one certified. When all else is roughly equal, the person with the certs will get the job.
Exactly my point by stating:
IMHO it only plays a role if you're going on the market or if you are working for a consultancy company,...
Johan
Learn to play, play to learn !
Dont drive faster than your guardian angel can fly ...
but keeping both feet on the ground wont get you anywhere :w00t:
- How to post Performance Problems
- How to post data/code to get the best help[/url]
- How to prevent a sore throat after hours of presenting ppt
press F1 for solution, press shift+F1 for urgent solution 😀
Need a bit of Powershell? How about this
Who am I ? Sometimes this is me but most of the time this is me
August 18, 2011 at 6:28 am
Regarding the value of a certification, I would not say that a cert + no experience is worthless. For someone entering the field, getting a cert does show some initiative. It does NOT make them an expert in any way, and anyone who claims it does is delusional.
Having said that, I have about 10 years experience with various versions of SQL, and I am looking at taking and passing the certification exams as a way to enhance myself as a job candidate. My company is closing down, so I will be on the market in a few months.
On other benefit of studying for the certs is that I will learn more about features that I do not use regularly.
August 18, 2011 at 10:03 am
Well, I'm sorry to hear about your company closing down, but no doubt 10 years experience using a particular application is a qualification in itself. Plus there may be a better opportunity around the corner, even with things the way they are economically at the moment.
I've spent a lot of time (too much maybe) using MS Access and the bottom line there is what can you do. Can you do x, y and z that the employer requires and what have you actually done? But Access isn't taken seriously, even though, in my opinion, it's not as bad as people make out. I now, though, need to move on to a db like SQL Server.
The qualifications game is a real irritation, but probably better looked at sooner than later.
In relation to SQL Server, my initial strategy is to take some of the knowledge from Access and try to so similar things in SQL Server, for example, constructing a new database from scratch and then seeing what I can actually get it to do and expand that with SQL Server's functionality.
In terms of the qualification, my thought was to use it to begin to learn the database through the qualification itself. If I get to the end of the book/training and think "this is a bit over my head", then I can always use the knowledge, practice more things and then take the exam when I'm ready. I can also put on my resume "currently studying for xxxx", which is better than nothing.
As for applying for a job using SQL Server, someone like yourself would be in a much better position than me as you've used it for a long period of time and I've hardly started doing it.
I am guessing though that employers may ask you some questions at interview or do a basic test? I can't imagine they'd just hire someone without using either of these two methods.
P.S. Indirectly unrelated! - I have had to reinstall my operating system because I tried to install SQL Server 2005 and 2008 at the same time and things started going wrong. For those of you who have had no problem, maybe you are fortunate, but I will only be installing one version of SQL Server on my computer after spending a day or so backing up files and reinstalling the operating system.
August 18, 2011 at 10:56 am
tim_harkin (8/18/2011)
On other benefit of studying for the certs is that I will learn more about features that I do not use regularly.
That is a definite perk.
I would add that browsing these forums and trying to solve the problems presented here will help you in your studies as well as help you become more marketable.
Good Luck.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
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