Re: Definition of Top Class DBA

  • From: John Piwowar <jpiwowar@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: Bobby Curtis <curtisbl@xxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 10:10:58 -0700

Agreed that you need to look at the position description and research the
organization.  No one posts a job ad for "Pretty Good DBA" or "World-class
aspirant DBA."

Best conversation about titles I ever had was during a team meeting with my
CTO.  We had 4 people on the team.
It went like this:
"I don't care too much about titles. As far as I'm concerned, the only
title that matters is 'Guy who gets sh*t done.'  I'm the guy who gets sh*t
done.  *You're* the guy that gets sh*t done.  You're the gal who gets sh*t
done; You're the gal who gets sh*t done; and you're the guy who gets sh*t
done."

We got a lot done. ;-)




On Thu, Sep 4, 2014 at 9:33 AM, Bobby Curtis <curtisbl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Everyone has good points on this topic, I’ll just add my 2 cents...
>
> I don’t think titles amount to a hill-of-beans at times; many people chase
> titles trying to get a head, I’ll admit I was one until a few years ago
> when I met some really cool people in the Oracle community.  A title like
> “World-class DBA” is just someone in management or HR trying to find a
> resource.  I see it all the time in emails from recruiters.  Additionally,
> I have this discussion with my mother, of all people, who is an Senior HR
> Specialist.  She has no clue what I do for a living or what the technology
> is; absolutely clueless at times.  Management and HR just want to fill a
> seat to keep the business going.  Using catchy position titles is one way
> they do that.
>
> If you find the position interesting from looking at the details and it
> seems like something you want to do, then apply and go after it.  If you
> don’t live up to the standards outlined for the job announcement set forth
> by management or HR then you at least, as Seth points out, have a
> networking opportunity.  If you make it into the position, you at least
> have a chance to prove yourself.  Don’t let meaningless titles from people
> who don’t know our industry stop you from moving forward. In the end, what
> I think a lot of people define as “Top Class DBA” or “World Class DBA” is
> derived from their perception of the person they are talking to.  Don’t let
> someone’s perception of you keep you for achieving your goals!
>
> Just my 2 cents..
>
> Bobby Curtis
> curtisbl@xxxxxxxxx
> http://about.me/dbasolved
>
>
>
> On Sep 4, 2014, at 11:20, Andrew Kerber <andrew.kerber@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> When I see that kind of description (as opposed to senior DBA or just
> specifying years of experience), I immediately suspect that the job
> requirements were written by HR rather than the manager who is looking for
> the DBA.
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 11:19 PM, Dimensional DBA <
> dimensional.dba@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I would agree with Seth as in not worrying so much about the management
>> fluff or extra phrasology when you go to apply for a job, but you should be
>> ready to answer that question if they listed it as a requirement of what
>> makes you think you are a “World Class DBA?”
>>
>>
>>
>> I have had some interviewers actually go down the list of skills on the
>> sheet they published and went through every point including those added
>> management phrases…
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Matthew Parker*
>>
>> *Chief Technologist*
>>
>> *425-891-7934 <425-891-7934> (cell)*
>>
>> *Dimensional.dba@xxxxxxxxxxx <Dimensional.dba@xxxxxxxxxxx>*
>>
>> *View Matthew Parker's profile on LinkedIn*
>> <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/matthew-parker/6/51b/944/>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
>> oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Seth Miller
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 03, 2014 8:59 PM
>> *To:* Kumar Madduri
>> *Cc:* oracle Freelists
>> *Subject:* Re: Definition of Top Class DBA
>>
>>
>>
>> Kumar,
>>
>>
>>
>> Those terms are written by management, HR or more likely, whomever they
>> hired (that wouldn't know a database if it slapped them in the face) to
>> find candidates. Don't let meaningless nomenclature influence your opinion
>> and most importantly, don't let anything about a job posting prevent you
>> from applying. If you are way under-qualified for a position and you manage
>> to get an interview, the very worst thing that could happen is you get an
>> hour of networking, invaluable interviewing practice and finding out
>> exactly what that company is really looking for.
>>
>>
>>
>> Seth Miller
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 10:41 PM, Kumar Madduri <ksmadduri@xxxxxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hello:
>>
>> In several job postings, key words like 'Top Class DBA', 'World Class
>> DBA' and other such adjectives are used. While every organization wants
>> those kind of DBAs, how do you define it or  measure it.
>>
>> I may be a 'Top Class DBA' at my place but 'Lowly DBA' for some other org
>> or some other DBAs and vice versa (I could be lowly dba where I am but
>> could be top class where I would get a job).
>>
>> I think words like 'Top Class DBA' intimidates me (personally)..
>>
>>
>>
>> I am probably opening  a pandora's box here but wanted to get the opinion
>> of elite members of this group.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you
>>
>> Kumar
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Andrew W. Kerber
>
> 'If at first you dont succeed, dont take up skydiving.'
>
>
>

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