Yesterday I talked about why companies aren’t hiring junior DBAs, and today I’ll talk about how you can get in the door anyway.
Companies are Cheap, and DBAs are Expensive
Even in a healthy economy, companies want to get a bargain. They want to hire an experienced senior database administrator for junior DBA wages. They think they’ve got something special – a great work environment, flexible working hours, nice plants in the lobby – and that it offsets the lower wages. It doesn’t: good senior DBAs get good money, and have their pick of companies.
Some companies take the approach of hiring remote DBAs who telecommute. I have a blog series coming up about getting & keeping a job as a telecommuting DBA, but that doesn’t work for junior DBAs. Juniors need mentoring and training that’s difficult to get in a home office environment. For your first DBA job, don’t be tempted to apply for a remote job, because you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Instead, throw your hat in the ring for local senior DBA jobs. It’s not career suicide: it’s a case of the company asking for something unrealistic. They may not get the candidates they want for the price they want to pay, and that’s your chance to get your foot in the door. Don’t exaggerate your reputation, of course – be honest about your skill level and your experience, but at the same time, don’t sell yourself short.
You’re Working with SQL Server, Right?
I got my start as a developer and as a network admin (here’s the story). When I went to look for my first pure SQL Server job, I didn’t have much on my resume and I didn’t really think I was all that qualified. If anything, I underestimated the bejeezus out of what I put on the resume.
When I started hiring other DBAs, though, I remembered my own experience. As a result, when I interviewed DBA candidates, I had a checklist of skills that I’d ask them, like:
- Have you ever had to restore a single table’s contents?
- Have you set up log shipping, or done troubleshooting on it?
- Have you ever built a server connected to a SAN?
Go pick up a SQL Server administration book, look at the table of contents, and check off everything that you’ve actually done. Even if you’ve only done it a few times, put it on your resume and explain that you’ve dabbled in it, because it’ll give you a big edge over the other candidates. Don’t say that you’re an expert on the topic, by any means, but the fact that you’ve done it is a plus.
More often than not, I’d hear candidates answer, “Well, yeah, but hasn’t everybody done that?” Actually, no – some candidates haven’t. Every single skill that you performed in production – not in theory – is another reason why you might get the job. Even if you’ve only done it once a quarter for a year, that means something.
Senior DBA
How Long Have You Been Doing It?
Did your boss ask you to start backing up a SQL Server a year ago? Last year, did you start restoring the production database onto your desktop for development testing? Did you start working on making stored procedures a year ago?
Presto, you have a year of experience.
I can almost hear the angry emails coming in now from really senior DBAs who do this stuff full time, nonstop, for a living, but they’ve forgotten how junior-level experience works. People don’t get handed the keys to the enterprise on Day 1 and start some kind of master clock. Experience happens gradually, almost imperceptibly. There’s no knighting ceremony where the CIO taps you on both shoulders with a laser pointer.
This is why so many junior-level DBA positions ask for a year or two of experience: they’re expecting to hear from developers and sysadmins who’ve been dabbling with database tasks over time, getting their feet wet. I don’t want to hire somebody who’s never seen SQL Server Management Studio: I want to hire a developer who installed SSMS a year ago and has been dabbling with it ever since. He may not like going in there – it may scare the pants off him – but as long as he’s been going in there grudgingly and tapping his terrified fingers on the keyboard to get his job done, then that’s a plus in my book, because I’ll train him the rest of the way. DBA training never ends.
Training and mentoring is the way junior DBAs become senior DBAs. In the last post of the series tomorrow, I’ll talk about what you should – and shouldn’t – expect in the way of training from a new employer, and how that affects your asking price.
Even better than the Part I.
An eye-opener to many who have failed in their attempt to get their dream job, or to some that have faltered even before they can set foot in front of that door.
I’m not talking about myself, am I?
Brent, the line that really hit home for me was: “Training and mentoring is the way junior DBAs become senior DBAs”. that line definately hit home for me! Great article!
Hi Brent,
Thank you very much for this article, it has definetly helped me in landing into my dream Job, Junior SQL DBA.
I got a job in Bankruptcy firm as “Production job admin/Jr SQL DBA”, and moreover i am working here since a month under an excellent mentor who is working as sr DBA here.
Than you once again Brent..
Bye bye.
You mentioned an upcoming blog about telecommuting as a DBA. Have you done this yet? I can’t find it.
Yes, there’s a bunch of ‘em in the telecommuting section here:
http://www.brentozar.com/becoming-a-dba/
I got a master’s in IT in 2005 (studied Oracle9i admin). My first job was supposed to, but never did, transition to the Database guys. Something about production having more work.
I was downsized and now trying to determine what is the best way get my skills back. They wouldn’t let non-db people access the db, so I’m starting all over. Is getting certified without any work experience a smart idea?
thanks!
Yes, getting certified without experience is a bad idea. I talked about that in my post on certifications:
http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2009/04/certifications-are-the-icing-on-the-cake/
How getting certified without experience is a bad idea?. Do not a certification will show the company that you have interest and understanding of the technology?
Thanks
Mark – it’s a bad idea if you spend money getting trained on something you’ve never used before. As I’ve emphasized here over and over (and is backed up by the emails I keep getting from people with DBA aspirations), companies simply don’t hire DBA candidates with certifications and no experience. If you spend money getting trained without any relevant IT experience, you’re flushing that money down the toilet.
What about is a person works as desktop support for Microsoft Windows server environment, VMware, and SAN, but this person had only installed SQL servers a couple of times, Can a MS SQL certification open the door for a database job?
Mark – I’ll turn that around and ask, would you hire someone for a Windows admin job who’d only done T-SQL coding, only installed Wibdows a couple of times, and gotten a Windows cert? Would you immediately entrust them with AD admin credentials and put them in charge of backups? Probably not, but you might hire them as a junior if you didn’t have any other options. A personal recommendation and a history of working with them would probably help a lot more than a cert though.
Brent, thank you for the quick responds to all my questions and your professional advices.
Hi Brent. I found this article on accident via Google. Do you have an article or suggestions on becoming a Senior level DBA? I graduated with a Info Sys Bachelors 3 years ago and started off as a Database Programmer creating crystal reports for a small manufacturing company. After upgrading our slow single SQL Server 2000 to two new SQL Server 2005 boxes with Transaction Log Shipping and increasing performance and availability I got new experience and was promoted internally. I accepted a new job at another company 8 months ago as a Database Administrator (I’m the only DBA in the company again) with the responsibility of admin\maintaining a SQL Server Cluster, 1 non-clustered SQL Server and a Report Server as well as creating SSRS reports. I feel like its a lot to do but I wanted this experience to maybe help me become Senior level. Plus I went from a small manufacturing environment to a company that does web sales. I thought it’d be a good move. Having been the only DBA in two companies I’m not sure what I need to do to become Senior Level. I’m about 2/3 done with my MCITP DBA, just something I always wanted to have but not sure if that will help… Thanks!
Hi! To become a senior DBA, the answer is simple: just keep workin’. By having a full time job as a DBA, you’re well on your way. Keep working with new projects and consider attending your local PASS chapter to learn more. Good luck!
Happy New Year Brent!
Thank you for having such a site explaining the downsides of getting a DBA job. I’m one of those classed as “you’re screwed” category.
A training grad getting a certification.
At least from your blog, I now know what I should/should not do. MOSTLY that I am lacking in lots of areas.
It’s beginning to nag at me if this is all going to be worth it at the end of the day. Seems like an endless race to train, upskill, and compete ….
always ‘not being enough’, ‘not enough experience’, ‘not enough background knowledge’. There’s always someone better than you.
do you have any positive, uplifting words of wisdom for a depressed (DBA-aspirant) soul?
thanks.
Hi! Hmm, interesting question. Only you can answer if it’s worth it. I really enjoy doing it, but like you say, it’s an endless race to train. If you don’t enjoy constantly learning new things about databases and computing, it’s not a good field. The money’s great once you’ve got a couple years of experience though. Just don’t get in it for the money. Go into programming first, and if your training & adaptation takes you toward the DBA route, great. There’s lots of cool jobs you can pursue once you’ve got some programming knowledge – keep your mind open and you’ll have a blast no matter which way you end up. Just follow what you enjoy. Happy New Year!
Hi Brent,
Thanks for the quick response. I thoroughly enjoy building, developing databases. Am going for Oracle certification as we speak. To update my skillset.
In fact I’m more serious now than ever building a career as a DBA, its just the downside of things…such as..
1. no junior dba jobs out there really for newbies.
2. ALL dba jobs want at least 2 years WORKING experience. Its like if there’s no company name listed beside your experience, its considered a no-go.
3. EVERY possible job ALWAYS have something I lack. so imagine when the recruitment agency sees that you lack certain things on the list, out goes the resume.
Just getting a little weary of looking for jobs process i guess. Your blogs really helpful, thank you for including all the hints and tips.
One upside to all this is that I’m on the right track/career, and it seems the demand would be there for quite a while. So, for that, I’m happy.
Just gotta get the foot in the door…..
Yep, all of the points you list are correct, and they’re not going to change. There aren’t junior DBA jobs out there for newbies – you’ll need to get your foot in the door as a programmer or systems administrator first.
All DBA jobs do want working experience, not just learning on your own computer. If you’re just learning on your own computer, no one’s there to complain if you get it wrong or lose data. It’s not like they can call you for a reference.
Hiya Brent !!
Happy New Year! Congratulations!!! with the new book.
Do you know if its possible to create a (mini)database with SQL Server (do i make sense?)
on an apple computer?
I currently ONLY have a mac in my possesion. Would appreciate any pointers/advise.
Assume I know NOTHING.
Thank you in advance.
Thanks! Microsoft SQL Server doesn’t directly run on Apples, but you can install a virtualization program that will let you run Windows on an Apple. VMware Fusion is one such program:
http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/
It costs around $100, plus you have to buy Windows, and then you’ll also need to buy SQL Server. If that sounds like an option you’re interested in, swing by your nearest Apple Store and talk to the Genius Bar. They can walk you through setting up Windows on your Mac.
Hi Brent,
Wow! quick response! Thank you!
Woah! Seems to have a cost attached to e-v-e-r-y step of the way. I think there’s a free trial for 30 days with VM ware. Do you know if there is a freeware for SQL Server? I am looking to develop 2 simple mini databases, and want to use SQL server for reasons of : to get familiar with SQL Server again after so many years. OK….obvious answer…..just google it.
After googling….there’s SQL server 2005 and 2008. Also there’s SQL Server EXPRESS 2008…. I think I can use the Express version?
Or would that be not good for learning? Which do you think I should download?
So in the end in my case it will be : MAC ….running VMWare…which runs SQL Server…..? Hmm…. Maybe if I just have a PC laptop, I won’t have so many complications?!
Again, your expertise is totally appreciated. Im a newbie at this. Help!?!!
thank you thank you thank you…
You’ve got a lot of great questions, and it’s more than I can really address well in comments. You’re probably going to want to pick up a basic SQL Server administration book. I’ve got a few in my recommended book list:
http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2008/08/recommended-books-for-sql-server-dbas/
About the Mac – if you’re just getting started and you want to use SQL Server, you’ll be much better off using a Windows laptop or desktop. If you think the OS scenario is complicated, I’ve got some bad news for you – SQL Server is a lot more complicated than just running Windows on a Mac.
If you want easy, SQL Server wouldn’t be my first recommendation. You probably want to take a few steps back and ask what your real goal is. If you only want to do two simple mini databases, there’s plenty of software you can use on your Mac to accomplish that goal, and it’ll be way, way easier than learning SQL Server. Again – the Genius Bar will be your best answer there too. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to get those kinds of questions answered in person.
Hope that helps!
Hello Brent,
………..but I want to use SQL Server…………. (meekly)
Stubborn it may sound. I guess I really want to see how it goes & how to do it.
(despite the handicap with a mac?)
OK, what’s your question for me?
@G Hensed Where are you located? If you’re in the US or nearby countries, chances are there might be User Group around your area. It may not necessarily SQL Server User Group. The .NET User Groups (or any other tech user group in this case) usually have sessions on SQL Server.
I am sure by now, you have extensively read Brent’s blog. You have all the info you need to jumpstart your career in SQL Server in this blog site.
Just in case you missed this http://sqlserverpedia.com/ is a good community resource for the SQL Server Community (by the SQL Server Community)!
Sign up with Twitter and follow Brent’s SQL Server peeps: http://twitter.com/#/list/BrentO/sql-server
Good Luck!