More DBA job interview questions and answers at
http://dba.fyicenter.com/Interview-Questions/
(Continued from previous question...)
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DBA? - WHAT LEVEL OF DBA DO I NEED?
WHAT LEVEL OF DBA DO I NEED?
DBAs range from DBBS level (Database Baby Sitters) to full-charge DBAs. What level do you need? If you place a full-charge fire breathing DBA in a job where all that they have to do is monitor an older version of Oracle and ensure backups are taken they will soon tire of the job and leave. On the other hand, if you hire a DBBS for a position where initiative, drive, tenacity and troubleshooting skills are critical you are asking for trouble. Be sure that you get the right candidate for the right job.
A Database Baby-sitter usually has a good looking resume that is full of projects and jobs involving Oracle. However, most of these jobs will have involved third party applications that were pre-installed and only required monitoring. If they can't answer in-depth questions concerning the DBA_ views or the V$ tables then chances are they are DBBS rather than DBA level candidates. Another key indicator is a lack of knowledge about the Oracle utilities such as import, export and the tuning tools tkprof and explain plan. A final indicator is lack of knowledge concerning the DBA task related DBMS_* packages.
If all that you need is someone to monitor a third part database application via a pre-configured monitoring tool and only take action when the tool tells them a problem has happened, then hire a DBBS. You will waste a DBA and no one will be happy if you get an over qualified person into a low level job.
If you need a full--charge DBA, don't hire a DBBS unless they show the curiosity and tenacity to use deep--end learning to pull themselves up to the level of a full DBA. Deep--end learning is like when someone is thrown into a pool at the deep end to learn to swim. Usually there won't be time to send them to the multitude of classes required to give them full knowledge so they will have to learn as they go. Get them involved with the Oracle forums and user groups and purchase whatever references they require.
(Continued on next question...)
