I am looking to gain work experience here in London UK

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I am looking to gain work experience here in London UK - Please HELP!!!

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olufemi.sonuga

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 5:40 AM

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I am a certificated SQL Server DBA in both 05 and 08 since 2010, but has had no joy successfully getting a job as a SQL Server DBA - even at junior level. I am looking for such an opportunity. I am an analytical person who is adaptable to change and can hit the ground running. I come from a Testing background, but have since decided to change my career.

Can anyone please help me please Smile

Post #1429701

Beatrix Kiddo

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:03 AM

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Where are you looking, and what sort of feedback are you getting when you apply?

Post #1429771

olufemi.sonuga

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:06 AM

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I am looking at jobserve, monster, itjobboard. Feedback I am getting is that I lack experience as I do not have any

Post #1429773

Beatrix Kiddo

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:14 AM

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Well, it's quite hard to advise you based on what you've said, but I notice that you've posted the same question numerous times across the various boards. If you're applying the same scattergun principles to your job-hunt that might be part of the problem. I don't mean this rudely, but make sure you're not just firing off loads of applications willy-nilly and hoping something sticks.

You might have to look at the long game here. Apply for jobs that aren't DBA roles but which have a bit of overlap, do a couple of years in that role and then look at applying for 'proper' DBA jobs. Something like that?

Post #1429786

olufemi.sonuga

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:17 AM

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Much appreciated, the only reason why I put it in different forums was because I was not sure if every user uses all forums. Now that I know - I humbly apologise for being a bit silly (as I question myself whilst I was doing it)

Post #1429792

Beatrix Kiddo

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:22 AM

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Oh no, you don't need to apologise to me; I'm nobody special! Sorry if it seemed that way. I just wondered if it might be illustrative of your job-hunting technique Wink

.

Hopefully somebody else will be along in a minute to offer some more advice.

Post #1429797

Bill (fluffydeadangel)

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 11:46 AM

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I was in your same exact shoes 6 months ago. I have my MCITP 08'and MCSE 12' certs. I was having trouble finding a DBA position. I got lucky and the connections I made at my current job through the SA's and our Help Desk people that became DBA's here got me involved in our local SQL Saturdays and monthly user groups.

After a bit of time just meeting people, getting to know people and proving myself in other areas... they gave me a Jr. position. I'm continuing to prove myself in the effort to learn more and eventually gain a Sr role.

Stick with it, take the job that might lead there, get to know the community, when they have a project offer to help (donate time in trade for experience) and many other things can help.

Post #1430009

olufemi.sonuga

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 11:59 AM

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dont think it works like in the UK, if it does can you put me in the rite direction

Post #1430021

Bill (fluffydeadangel)

Posted Tuesday, March 12, 2013 12:10 PM

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When you say it doesn't work. What part of it? Social networking seems to be a working idea in most cases. Larger companies or even tight knit small ones may allow movement or cross training after you're a trusted person. If I remember correctly... there's a few SQL events and user groups in the UK area.

This is an upcoming SQL Saturday Event.
http://sqlsaturday.com/202/eventhome.aspx
Jun 08, 2013 SQLSaturday #202 - Edinburgh 2013

These (as far as I know) are all UK user groups or other events.
http://www.sqlserverfaq.com/

These should all be UK or close Jr DBA jobs.
http://www.indeed.co.uk/Junior-DBA-jobs

I'm not sure what else you're looking for.

Post #1430032

OTF

Posted Wednesday, March 13, 2013 9:25 AM

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olufemi.sonuga (3/12/2013)

Hi Olufemi

I work as a contractor here in the uk so I'll do my best to give you some "lay of the land" advice.
Frankly, it echoes much of what Beatrix has said but I'll try to be a bit more specific.

The phrase "you have to be in it to win it" applies here.
In other words, you may not get very far if you aren't actually working for a company within IT.
You need to leverage what you have to get what you want.

If you have experience in Testing then I would suggest you look for backend testing jobs that will allow you
some kind of access to Sql Server to write Sql. This way you can continually hone that skill. I will also encourage you to install, if its allowed, a local sql server on your machine. Restore a database or two to it and have a play. I get that you are certified and that's all good but the certifications, and frankly, most courses will teach you the basics so you need to read as much as you can on the job and gradually become a "go to guy" at least within the Testing team for minor Sql related tasks.
Stick to places like this site as it's a great pool of talent and resources to turn to for help if you need it.
Become friendly with people on the database team and ask them to let you know if anything were to come up.

It is possible to get a junior dba job from cold (no experience) but why leave it to chance. Strategically place yourself in the right places and your chances of success dramatically increase.

All that said, however, don't actually stop applying for junior dba roles even when if you were to follow anything I have said above as, well, you never know Smile

Post #1430470

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