Ah, the life of a SQL Server Database Administrator: glamour, fame, money. Well, okay, maybe just money.
It’s a great time to be a database administrator, but it’s a really tough time to hire one. DBAs are tough to find, and they’re even tougher to interview, especially for small shops who only have one DBA. How do you know when you’ve found the right one? How do you separate the real ones from the fakers? Here’s my tips.
Ask for a List of Servers - DBA candidates need to ask as many questions as they answer during the interview.
DBAs Need Confidence - why DBA job candidates need to be confidently firm.
Development DBA or Production DBA? - talks about the different types of DBAs, and which one you’re suited for.
Moving from Help Desk to DBA - a reader asked how to do it, and I gave a few ways to get started.
Replying to Recruiter Emails - how to quickly handle emails from unknown recruiters.
(SQL Server) Size Matters - how to determine if a DBA’s experience is right for your company.
Testing DBA Decisionmaking - DBAs need more than just technical skills: they make business decisions all day long.
Testing DBA Skills with Brainbench - why you should test their skills during the hiring process, and how to do it without knowing what a DBA knows.
Database & Network Admins Should Be Customer Admins - why admins should care about P&L statements.
Your Web Site Is Your Brochure - candidates need to have a web site long before they’re in the job market, and keep it up to date. On the flip side, when hiring a DBA, Google their name and find out just how qualified they are.
