kimberly_lehman (6/6/2014)
Ask "Using T-SQL, how do you get the current date and time"?
So would you consider this a valid answer? "I think it's CURRENT TIMESTAMP but if I was blanking on it I'd google it to be sure."
I've worked with so many language that sometimes I mix them up, so I often google things even if I know them. And sometimes even when I "know" something, a quick search reminds me of something I forgot. IMO, knowing how to find the information you need is just as valuable as already knowing it. And double checking yourself is a good skill too. If you've never forgotten a simple piece of syntax, then you never had a baby who didn't sleep through the night.
That might keep me from ending the interview but it would be an indication that the person really hasn't worked with T-SQL that much because it's one of those fundamental things like knowing what a SELECT is used for. Based on the response above, I'd ask if they knew what "Books Online" is and how to get to it. I'm amazed at how many people don't know that, either.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.