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Last week, we asked you the questions, and this week we’ll talk about the answers.  We’ll discuss what we look for in a candidate – not just the written answers, but also the way they answer questions.  You’ll learn why you shouldn’t bluff, and why you should never, ever rate yourself a 10 on a 10-point scale.  We’ll even share our favorite questions that candidates asked US during the interviews in this 30-minute session.

Want more interview questions? Check out some of our past posts:

Developer, Sysadmin, and SQL Interview Questions

• Top 10 Questions to Ask a Senior SQL Server DBA – if you’re hiring a database administrator, here’s ten questions to ask along with the types of answers you should expect to hear.
• Top 10 Developer Interview Questions About SQL Server – the best questions to ask in an interview of a developer who will be storing data in SQL Server.  Whether you’re hiring a C#, VB, or Java developer, they all need to know the basics.
• Windows System Administrator Interview Questions – how to find the right candidates to manage backups, network infrastructures, and desktop support.

Good Tips for Interviewing Database Administrators

• How to Hire Top Talent – First of all, you’re not the only one looking.  But guess what? You’re probably looking for the wrong person, and you’re almost certainly asking the wrong questions.
• The Myth of the Perfectly Qualified Candidate – companies look for someone with exactly the right amount of experience – but what kind of employee has it?  I explain.
• (SQL Server) Size Matters – how to determine if a DBA’s experience is right for your company.
• Tips for Hiring a DBA – my thoughts after going through the interview process at a few companies.
• Show Candidates Their Work Areas – and watch their reactions.  It’ll help you gauge if they’re a good fit for you, plus give you insight about your environment.

Interview Tips for Candidates

• Top Ten Questions to Ask at Your Own Job Interview – avoid taking a crappy job that you’ll regret later!
• How to Get a Telecommuting Job – I’ve been telecommuting off and on since 2000, and I’ve accumulated a set of tips on how to get a remote DBA job.
• Being the Porsche of Job Candidates – you can get a decent job by being a decent candidate, but to get the best jobs, you have to be the best candidate.  That means having an online presence.
• Ask for a List of Servers – DBA candidates need to ask as many questions as they answer during the interview.