Re: Are these too harsh ?

> I think most of your questions are irrelevant depending on what you expect the
> person to do. They look to me like a blend of development, DBA, sys admin, and
> irrelevant designed to make sure no one gets the job.
>
> The first question I'd ask is what are the tasks you want the person to do. Then
> I'd ask what each of these questions has to do with that task list. Most
> production DBAs wouldn't meet an autonomous transaction in their normal daily
> activities and most Development DBAs wouldn't know a latch if it wasn't attached
> to a gate in their front yard. (Not all guys so don't hit me too hard ... you
> know what I'm getting at.)
>
> Throw these questions away and write questions that will specifically test the
> candidate's ability to perform the tasks that will be assigned.
>
> Daniel A. Morgan

Back in college, one professor was extremely offended by the fact that one student scored a 100 on one of his exams. The professor felt that he had failed to challenge the students.

If the list of questions produced a spread between 85-100% - you would have little to differentiate the candidates. So from a purely statistical reference - you have achieved your objective by putting something out there to test the candidate's mettle.

Do you give credit for sub-queries such as:

select table_name from dict where table_name like '%WHATEVER_YOU_ARE_LOOKING_FOR%'; and

"I do not alter underscore parameters without the recommendation of Oracle Worldwide Support"

and

RAID? - plaid with beaucoup NVRAM sitting in front of it with SAME. No worries.

"THE GODS OF DISK SAID SO." I'm kidding - but would like to see your reaction from that one. I doubt that I could say that with a straight face, but it would be fun to try.

Really. How much can a U.S. fellow pull down in the UK for a couple of years as a DBA.
The thought of 6 weeks vacation (vs. 2) with lots of holidays with bitters on cask around every corner is quite appetizing. Oh - sorry appetising.

Too bad that I'm still just an NT hack beating on a Linux box at home.

too far off topic already.

Paul Received on Thu Jun 28 2001 - 01:44:59 CDT