March 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I am scheduled for a second round interview for a DBA position with the Security Manager. I am not sure what to expect here. Could some one point me to some questions that i should expect.
Thanks a lot for any help
March 22, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I guess the questions will depend on what you've claimed competence in on your resume as compared to what they have requested competence in on their job description.
Hard to guess without knowing both of those things. Even with them, it'll depend on who's doing the questioning and what they think is important/clever/trivial/basic.
For example, I'd never bother to ask a DBA applicant what the DBCC command is for updating database statistics from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, but I've had an interview where they spent 3 hours grilling me on details of various DBCC commands, and wouldn't let me get away with "I'd look it up in BOL, just like any sane person would".
So, I'd say don't prepare for specific questions. Go with what you know, and be prepared for questions that you just have to say, "I don't know, but I know where to look it up". If you know your business as a DBA, and they know their business on interviewing, you'll be able to answer most of the questions, because they'll be sane questions and reasonable to ask.
What I definitely recommend against, is trying to figure out before-hand what they're likely to ask, and memorizing answers to those things. That's a losing tactic.
- Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
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March 22, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Thanks for your responce.
The reason why I asked is because i have already gone through two interviews with a pannel of four people and the interview covered everything about SQL Server 2005 and 2008. Now they are calling me in to meet the the Security Manager. So am not sure what to expect with him.
March 22, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I would expect things security related since it is the security manager.
As for what kinds of questions, that will depend on the interviewer, interviewee, environment, and what is on your resume.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
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March 23, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I would review security best practices. Search 'sql server security best practices'.
If the question is "How do you insure the security of the server?" your answer could be "by following best practices" and then start rattling off specific examples of best practices.
March 24, 2010 at 12:05 pm
good lord. 3 hours on details of DBCC commands? sheesh. seems like overkill, to say the very least.
GSquared (3/22/2010)
For example, I'd never bother to ask a DBA applicant what the DBCC command is for updating database statistics from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, but I've had an interview where they spent 3 hours grilling me on details of various DBCC commands, and wouldn't let me get away with "I'd look it up in BOL, just like any sane person would".
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March 24, 2010 at 12:18 pm
mwalbert (3/24/2010)
good lord. 3 hours on details of DBCC commands? sheesh. seems like overkill, to say the very least.GSquared (3/22/2010)
For example, I'd never bother to ask a DBA applicant what the DBCC command is for updating database statistics from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, but I've had an interview where they spent 3 hours grilling me on details of various DBCC commands, and wouldn't let me get away with "I'd look it up in BOL, just like any sane person would".
3 hours period is too much of an interview. Break it up and come back another time.
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
March 24, 2010 at 12:25 pm
CirquedeSQLeil (3/24/2010)
mwalbert (3/24/2010)
good lord. 3 hours on details of DBCC commands? sheesh. seems like overkill, to say the very least.GSquared (3/22/2010)
For example, I'd never bother to ask a DBA applicant what the DBCC command is for updating database statistics from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, but I've had an interview where they spent 3 hours grilling me on details of various DBCC commands, and wouldn't let me get away with "I'd look it up in BOL, just like any sane person would".3 hours period is too much of an interview. Break it up and come back another time.
I was getting a bit desperate at the time, or I'd have ended off after ten minutes of it and told them they weren't what I was looking for.
- 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
March 24, 2010 at 12:49 pm
GSquared (3/24/2010)
CirquedeSQLeil (3/24/2010)
mwalbert (3/24/2010)
good lord. 3 hours on details of DBCC commands? sheesh. seems like overkill, to say the very least.GSquared (3/22/2010)
For example, I'd never bother to ask a DBA applicant what the DBCC command is for updating database statistics from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, but I've had an interview where they spent 3 hours grilling me on details of various DBCC commands, and wouldn't let me get away with "I'd look it up in BOL, just like any sane person would".3 hours period is too much of an interview. Break it up and come back another time.
I was getting a bit desperate at the time, or I'd have ended off after ten minutes of it and told them they weren't what I was looking for.
Ah yes, totally understandable.
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
March 29, 2010 at 9:54 am
Did you get the job after the 3 hours of torture?
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Dilbert: What color do you want the database?
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