More DBA job interview questions and answers at
http://dba.fyicenter.com/Interview-Questions/
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WHAT EXACTLY IS A DBA? - PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES
PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES
Candidates used to have two sources for Oracle knowledge; experience and/or Oracle Corporation training classes. Experience speaks for itself and can be judged as to depth and level. Training was only as good as what the candidate put into it. The candidate could either gain much from the experience of Oracle training if they took the will to learn and curiosity with them to class, or, they could take nothing away from the class if they practiced passive learning. Since Oracle training was not graded everyone received certification regardless of participation. Now many vendors offer Oracle classes. Indeed with the plethora of classes available it is difficult if not impossible to judge the quality of training a candidate may have received. One item that will assist hiring managers is the recent introduction of the Oracle Certification Exam offered by Sylvan Learning Systems. This exam tests candidates knowledge in all areas of the DBA skill set. The test was created by battle tested DBAs and in order to pass a candidate will in almost all cases have to have had actual experience as an Oracle DBA and will have to have knowledge from multiple Oracle references. The test was developed by over a dozen experienced DBAs and has been certified against hundreds of DBA candidates. While obtaining an Oracle certification from this exam is no absolute guarantee that a candidate is fully qualified it can be used as an acid test to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Always check a candidates references. Speak to previous employers if possible and find out about a candidates past work history. Many people will interview wonderfully but won't function in the job.
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