How to Become an Exceptional DBA

How to Become an Exceptional DBA, 2nd Edition......Page 1
Your Feedback......Page 11
What is an Exceptional DBA?......Page 14
An Exceptional DBA is in the Top 10% of Their Profession......Page 16
Direct Personal Benefits......Page 17
Benefits on the Job......Page 18
Summary: The Road to Becoming an Exceptional DBA......Page 19
Enjoys Technology......Page 20
Enjoys Challenge......Page 21
Enjoys Problem Solving......Page 22
Good with Details......Page 23
Enjoys Learning......Page 24
Maintains Professionalism......Page 25
Trustworthy......Page 26
Hard-Working......Page 27
Manages Time Well......Page 28
Can Communicate Effectively, Both Orally and Verbally......Page 30
Listens Well......Page 31
Realistic......Page 32
Flexible......Page 33
Enthusiastic......Page 34
Thinks Before Acting......Page 35
Summary: Assess your Strengths and Weaknesses......Page 36
What exactly is a DBA?......Page 38
An A-to-Z List of Typical DBA Tasks......Page 39
Choosing a Specialty......Page 48
DBA High Availability Specialist......Page 49
Summary: Specialize but be Adaptable......Page 50
Higher Education......Page 52
Employer Expectations......Page 55
Getting Experience......Page 56
Hardware......Page 58
SQL Server Best Practices......Page 59
Formal Classroom Training......Page 60
On-line Training......Page 61
Mastering DBA Soft Skills......Page 62
Teamwork Skills......Page 63
Project Management......Page 64
Writing Skills......Page 65
Knowledge of Legal Responsibilities......Page 66
Summary: Starting Honing Your Skills Today (and don't stop)......Page 67
SQL Server Certification......Page 69
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist......Page 70
Microsoft Certified IT Professional......Page 71
Other Certifications of Interest to DBAs......Page 73
Broadens your Knowledge......Page 74
Can become a Microsoft Certified Trainer......Page 75
Should I Get Certified as a DBA?......Page 76
Who Might Not Want to Consider Certification?......Page 77
Preparing for certification exams takes time.......Page 78
Summary: There is Little Downside to Certification......Page 79
Increase Your Depth of Knowledge......Page 82
Make New Contacts......Page 83
It's Fun to Help Others......Page 84
Become a SQL Server MVP......Page 85
Participate in Forums and News Groups......Page 86
Participate in Social Networking Groups......Page 87
Write and Share Scripts......Page 88
Join and Participate in a Local User's Group......Page 89
Speak at SQL Server Community Events......Page 90
Write a Blog......Page 92
Write Articles......Page 93
Write or Co-Write a Book......Page 94
Mentor a Novice DBA......Page 96
Summary: Participate in the SQL Server Community Today......Page 97
Define a Career Path......Page 98
Do you want to travel, or stay put?......Page 99
What level of (seniority) do you want to attain?......Page 100
Do you want to be your own boss?......Page 101
Goals should be Short-Term......Page 102
Examples of Goals......Page 103
Take Action to Attain Your Goals......Page 104
Revaluate Goals and Long-Term Career Plans as Needed......Page 105
Summary: It Takes a Conscious Decision on Your Part......Page 106
Focus on Business Goals......Page 109
Be a Leader, Take the Initiative......Page 110
Have a "Get It Done" Attitude......Page 112
Accept Responsibility......Page 113
Help Others Be Successful......Page 114
Downplay the Geek Factor......Page 115
Use Correct E-Mail Etiquette......Page 116
Make Presentations......Page 117
Use Technology to make you More Productive......Page 118
Summary: You Can't Be All Things to All People......Page 119
What does it mean to "Manage" your Online Brand?......Page 122
Step 1: Discovering your Online Brand......Page 124
Step 2: Managing your Online Brand......Page 125
Blogs......Page 126
Social Networking Presence......Page 127
Online Resumes......Page 128
FaceBook.Com......Page 129
SQLPASS PASSPort......Page 130
Do…......Page 131
Don't…......Page 132
Summary: Start Managing your Online Brand Today......Page 133
Voluntary Job Moves......Page 135
What to do if you are Laid Off......Page 138
The Job Search......Page 139
Finding an Exceptional DBA Job......Page 140
Assessing an Exceptional DBA Job......Page 144
Tips for Writing a Resume......Page 145
The Basics......Page 146
Experience Focus......Page 147
Length and Format......Page 149
Tips for Surviving an Interview......Page 150
How to Make a Good First Impression in Your New Job......Page 153
Summary: Getting an Exceptional DBA Job is Hard, but the Rewards are High......Page 154
What is a Code of Conduct?......Page 156
How Can a Code of Conduct be Useful to DBAs?......Page 157
How Should a Code of Conduct be Implemented and Enforced?......Page 158
Protection and Disclosure of Data......Page 159
Dealing With Third-Parties......Page 161
General Conduct......Page 162
Summary: Exceptional DBAs are defined by their Actions......Page 164
Best Practices......Page 166
Character Traits......Page 167
Hard Skills......Page 168
Soft Skills......Page 169
Branding......Page 170
Career Management......Page 171
Summary: The GOYA Principle......Page 172
Summary: The GOYA Principle......Page 0