Are the posted questions getting worse?

  • Ed Wagner - Friday, February 3, 2017 5:39 AM

    Sorry to hear about the bad news.  I've faced it once myself and it wasn't fun.

    Central Ohio...Are you close to Columbus?  They've had SQL Saturday events in the past.  Do you attend the PASS chapter meetings?  Check out their site at http://columbus.sqlpass.org/ and take a look at the topic of the meeting on 2/9/2017.  😀 

    At normal chapter meetings here in Metro Detroit, companies sometimes make announcements that they're looking for people and recruiters frequently sponsor the meetings.  They view it as a target-rich environment for them.  The next Columbus meeting looks target-rich for you as well.

    I really hope this helps.

    Thanks. Yes, I have been to a few events and meetings.  Not on a regular basis, though.  Guess I need to read the emails.:Whistling:  I will make sure to go to the Feb 9 one, thanks a lot.

  • Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

  • In the UK I would say yes. Not sure about where you are. Good luck though.

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    I'd say go ahead and apply.  If you've got the skill set such that the certs would be little more than "paper proof," you might still get hired with the expectation of going out and getting the certs afterwards.
    Unless it's a Gov job.  Then get the certs first, they're fussy that way...

    I'd suggest for looking, also, check out usajobs.gov, search for  "IT Specialist" or 2210 (job series.)  They tend to "catch-all" within the various series, you can also search for DBA.

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 5:04 AM

    Last day Feb 17.  Do not know about severance package yet.

    I am in central Ohio, and unfortunately would like to stay there (family).

    Sorry to hear that.

    Contact the user group nearby and ask there, talk to plenty of recruiters to help you.

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    To summarize, "This answer is always NO unless you ask".  A lot of businesses list the kitchen sink on their job descriptions just like people do on their resumes.  They may even be refreshed by your honesty and integrity not to BS about your skills.  Go for it and remember that you're interviewing them, as well.  Use the interview to "get the feel" for the company and make sure you research the company deeply.  And don't look at any interview where you don't get the job as a failure.... it might be that it truly wasn't right for you or whatever but use each one as practice for "the big one". 😉

    --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)
    Intro to Tally Tables and Functions

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 4:45 AM

    Well half the company got notice of layoff yesterday, including yours truly. 
    I am to old for this! 
    So what job sites do people use these days?

    Crap.  Sorry to hear that.

    Job sites?  +1 for asking at user groups.  Might be worth twittering about it too.  And if my experience is anything to go by, updating your LinkedIn presence can result in half a dozen calls...

    Good luck.

    Thomas Rushton
    blog: https://thelonedba.wordpress.com

  • Jeff Moden - Friday, February 3, 2017 7:21 AM

    djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    To summarize, "This answer is always NO unless you ask".  A lot of businesses list the kitchen sink on their job descriptions just like people do on their resumes.  They may even be refreshed by your honesty and integrity not to BS about your skills.  Go for it and remember that you're interviewing them, as well.  Use the interview to "get the feel" for the company and make sure you research the company deeply.  And don't look at any interview where you don't get the job as a failure.... it might be that it truly wasn't right for you or whatever but use each one as practice for "the big one". 😉

    Just don't be too honest with HR, they only care for filling the requirements. I see a lot of offers in LInkedIn and recruiters will certainly look for your profile in there.
    Best of luck!

    Luis C.
    General Disclaimer:
    Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

    How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help: Option 1 / Option 2
  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    Good luck with finding new work, it's always a bit of a challenge but eventually one finds something. On the cloud "front", grab a free Azure account, set up an Azure SQL instance and play around, get familiar with the service offerings and all the buzz words, do a small website or anything really, it all counts and just may be the tipping point if you like.
    😎

    Currently I'm helping few mates to get back into the business, having them set up data sources, Azure SQL repositories, PowerBI visualisation etc. It is really rewarding to see the confidence build up, few weeks more and they will be back on the market.

  • Eirikur Eiriksson - Friday, February 3, 2017 7:41 AM

    djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    Good luck with finding new work, it's always a bit of a challenge but eventually one finds something. On the cloud "front", grab a free Azure account, set up an Azure SQL instance and play around, get familiar with the service offerings and all the buzz words, do a small website or anything really, it all counts and just may be the tipping point if you like.
    😎

    Currently I'm helping few mates to get back into the business, having them set up data sources, Azure SQL repositories, PowerBI visualisation etc. It is really rewarding to see the confidence build up, few weeks more and they will be back on the market.

    I'd also say that much of the cloud is the same. Azure SQL Database is like SQL Server. Most of your code, your well known things to do, the best practices, most are the same. You need solid database skills.

    The differences often come from the front end, and the fact that you can't see the OS host. Performance is more variable, so you need a) better code, b) good retry logic in the app, c)an understanding that you are sligthly limited in determining hardware bottlenecks.

    More and more is being published on this stuff from people that are experimenting with their apps, so I'd read a lot.

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 4:45 AM

    Well half the company got notice of layoff yesterday, including yours truly. 
    I am to old for this! 
    So what job sites do people use these days?

    Really depends.  Dice, CareerBuilder, Monster, there are a lot.  My current position I found through InDeed.  I have an interview for a possible position next week that I have seen on several web sites but going through a Recruiter.

    By the way, I am excited but sort of ambivalent as I really don't want to leave where I am working at the moment,  I am told there is a lot for me to do as a SQL Server Professional, I just don't see it at this time.

  • Luis Cazares - Friday, February 3, 2017 7:37 AM

    Jeff Moden - Friday, February 3, 2017 7:21 AM

    djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    To summarize, "This answer is always NO unless you ask".  A lot of businesses list the kitchen sink on their job descriptions just like people do on their resumes.  They may even be refreshed by your honesty and integrity not to BS about your skills.  Go for it and remember that you're interviewing them, as well.  Use the interview to "get the feel" for the company and make sure you research the company deeply.  And don't look at any interview where you don't get the job as a failure.... it might be that it truly wasn't right for you or whatever but use each one as practice for "the big one". 😉

    Just don't be too honest with HR, they only care for filling the requirements. I see a lot of offers in LInkedIn and recruiters will certainly look for your profile in there.
    Best of luck!

    +1000000!  and spot on!  I also say that finding a good recruiter that "gets it" can be an absolute joy both as an employer and as a candidate.  The good ones keep the wheels from falling off this industry.  The bad ones give me folks that can't even tell me how to get the current date and 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)
    Intro to Tally Tables and Functions

  • Lynn Pettis - Friday, February 3, 2017 8:27 AM

    djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 4:45 AM

    Well half the company got notice of layoff yesterday, including yours truly. 
    I am to old for this! 
    So what job sites do people use these days?

    Really depends.  Dice, CareerBuilder, Monster, there are a lot.  My current position I found through InDeed.  I have an interview for a possible position next week that I have seen on several web sites but going through a Recruiter.

    By the way, I am excited but sort of ambivalent as I really don't want to leave where I am working at the moment,  I am told there is a lot for me to do as a SQL Server Professional, I just don't see it at this time.

    Going with one of Brandie's suggestions:
    http://allstate.jobs/ShowJob/Id/1082783/SQL-Database-Administrator/

    I'd think about if I knew I could work remotely and several other factors.  Again, though, I am happy here even though currently under utilized.

  • djj - Friday, February 3, 2017 6:14 AM

    Thank you, everyone. 

    Not a lot of postings with my skill level as I have not done cloud work.  Also saw a position saying a couple of certs were required, should I still apply without them?

    Sorry to read about your situation but it may turn out a lot better than you thought.
    Experience is the key - I've applied for positions that specified university-level qualifications and they've interviewed me based on my experience. Don't be put off by requirements for pieces of paper. Age isn't an issue either - I usually tell them I'm of an age that I know panicking doesn't help and if I am panicking, I've long since mastered how to hide it.
    Lots of positions want the unicorn DBA - master of SSMS, SSIS, SSRS and SSAS. Generally the recruiters know this isn't possible and have tried to control the customer's expectations. If you think you can do the majority of whatever the role wants, have a bit of knowledge about another couple of areas and no experience of a handful of areas then it is probably still worth a shot. It is more about the customer's priorities within their wish-list.
    If you have a LinkedIn account, change the status/title to state that you're looking for a new role in whatever geographic area that you're interested in. I did that last time and had agencies contacting me within the hour.
    And if you do have a LinkedIn account, how active is it? There are a lot of us on SSC that would happily add you to their network and we could spread your name faster than gossip.
    I also registered on Indeed and Monster, posting my CV (with an email address just for that).
    Best of luck and keep us updated of your progress.

    Steve Hall
    Linkedin
    Blog Site

  • Lynn Pettis - Friday, February 3, 2017 8:37 AM

    Going with one of Brandie's suggestions:
    http://allstate.jobs/ShowJob/Id/1082783/SQL-Database-Administrator/

    I'd think about if I knew I could work remotely and several other factors.  Again, though, I am happy here even though currently under utilized.

    Thanks! I had found that one after Brandie's suggesting it, and will look into it tonight.

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