SQL Aloha

Results of Microsoft Certification Poll

In a recent poll at www.bradmcgehee.com, I asked website visitors if they had any Microsoft SQL Server certifications, and if so, which certification. I also asked how many people who weren’t certified wanted to become certified, and how many people who weren’t certified didn’t have any interest in certification. The results are below.

Northwest Arkansas TechFest Set for July 18

David Walker, the organizer of the popular Tulsa TechFest, is organizing the first annual NWA TechFest, to be held Thursday, July 18, in Rogers, AR. The event will cover numerous Microsoft technologies, including SQL Server. The call for speakers is now open, and registration will begin soon (mark the event on your calendar now so ...read more

Need to Persuade Your Manager or Co-Worker to Your Point of View?

At one time or another, each of us has been in a position where we need to persuade a manager, a fellow worker, or anyone for that matter, to our point-of-view. For example, you might want new server hardware, to upgrade an existing instance of SQL Server, the help of a co-worker, or you would ...read more

Want to Learn More About How to Master Microsoft Technologies?

If you want to learn more about how to master various Microsoft technologies, visit the website Born to Learn. This website includes blog, forums, and an event calendar to keep you up to date on how Microsoft can help you in your career. While anyone can view the site’s contents, you have to register in ...read more

Please Provide PASS with Feedback on its Speaker’s Resource Pages

The PASS Program Committee is gearing up for the 2010 PASS Community Summit “Call for Speakers”, and it would like your feedback on its Speaker’s Resource and its Online Speaker Resources web pages. (Yes, I know the names of these pages are confusing, and this is something that will be fixed). I’m a member ...read more

How Not to Write a Resume Cover Letter

Although I am not currently a hiring manager, I occasionally receive unsolicited resumes from people looking for work. I just received a resume attached to an e-mail with the following cover letter. I have masked some of the content so that it is not personally identifiable, but otherwise, I have not made any changes to ...read more

Should DBAs be Paid Overtime?

For the past several weeks, I have been running a poll on www.bradmcgehee.com, asking visitors if they thought that DBAs should be paid for off-hours work? With 259 votes, its very clear (see the graph below) that most DBAs think they should be paid overtime. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case.

Most DBAs work on ...read more

Where Do You Look on the Internet for SQL Server Jobs?

I recently had a SQL Server DBA write to me that they were going to be laid off, and they asked me if I had any special insight into what are the best websites to look for SQL Server-related jobs. I haven’t looked for a SQL Server job in a long time, so I didn’t ...read more