Very good article, having worked with databases 12 years, mixture of foxpro, sql server dba and currently oracle dba. I can totally understand a lot of points raised. You are employed for your technical skills and if you falter on basic questions, you should lose the opportunity, simple as that. I have lost brillant roles because i have struggled to remember basic sql syntax in the interview even i know the answer. Anyone can bluff their way into a role nowadays with basic knowledge, personality and the ability to sell yourself is more prevalent in interviews nowadays, as well as technical ability. For the record i know a lot of people who hold years of experience and mcdba, who in my honest opinion shouldnt be left alone near a calculator let alone a database server 🙂