IT Interview - Software developer - What to research for the test.

Robtyketto

Greetings,

I have an interview next Tuesday for a company that in their own words "Operate from two secure sites and run managed database services solutions for many blue chip clients. We have billions of rows of data under active management in our secure data centres which are regularly audited by our customers, our suppliers and third party data security consultants."

The words "Database" and "T-SQL" come to mind.

Details from the position are as follows:-

• Predominantly programming with some database work.
• Experience of ASP. Net. C#, SQL Server 2005 onwards or Oracle would be an advantage.

Now the problem here is that alone is a HUGE area to cover to try to prepare for a test.

I thought about reading the basics of databases(DBMS/RDBMS) , practice my T-SQL, Object Orientated programming techniques with .Net, Multitasking (threads etc.,) and ASP.net basic and fundamentals.

Form the details provided and general experience with IT does anyone have any tips or pieces of information of what I should be getting to grips with before my test?

I can program in vb.net but not C# (though have basic experience with Java, C++ and actionscript). Never used asp.net and am ok with T-SQL and used Ingres in my deep dark past and NOT Oracle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

ellie101

if you don't get a response here may be worth asking for advice over at an IT contractor's website... not sure if you've seen it?

http://forums.contractoruk.com/

It's a contractor's forum, but there are a lot of people on there who would be able to answer questions. I can't quite see which part of the boards your question would fit into, so have a look through first before posting as some of them are a bit blunt, but they know their stuff and can give good advice.

wireframe_2

Alright, I'll help you out. I've found the company I think you're going for a job with. Begins with "S". They have some example projects on their site, have a quick read through those, cos at some point, they'll ask you if you know something about the business. pretend the projects are interesting, even if you think they're not
They CO-OP one looks like it reduced the workload of a lot of people, freeing them to do other things, so you might want to talk about that briefly.

You also might want to get a book of C# and have a quick browse. then when you lie and say you've "briefly" looked at C#, it won't be a total fabrication. Make it clear that VB is your forte tho, but you ARE willing to learn, and would love the opportunity. Also outline that you do have experience with outher languages, where appropriate.

At some point, for programming positions, they'll probably take you into a room and [strike]beat you[/strike] ask you to complete a simple coding test. Some kind of "Hello World" thing, its designed to show that you're not lying outright on your CV and can "walk the talk". It seems very unlikely they'll discuss Database Schema with you at this point. Or at all, honestly

At this point, they're looking for skillsets, a person that will fit into the team and is willing to learn. They're looking for a programmer, not a DBA, so the database side will be the lesser skill. If you can bash out some basic SQL, you should be fine. Remember, Oracle uses PL/SQL, SQLServer uses T-SQL

Good luck. Any more questions, or anything I've missed, come back

maninthestreet

Oracle uses PL/SQL, not PL-SQL.

wireframe_2

maninthestreet wrote: »

Oracle uses PL/SQL, not PL-SQL.

You're correct. Why does my one say PL-SQL? grr. I'll change it.

Robtyketto

wireframe wrote: »

Alright, I'll help you out. I've found the company I think you're going for a job with. Begins with "S". They have some example projects on their site, have a quick read through those, cos at some point, they'll ask you if you know something about the business. pretend the projects are interesting, even if you think they're not
They CO-OP one looks like it reduced the workload of a lot of people, freeing them to do other things, so you might want to talk about that briefly.

You also might want to get a book of C# and have a quick browse. then when you lie and say you've "briefly" looked at C#, it won't be a total fabrication. Make it clear that VB is your forte tho, but you ARE willing to learn, and would love the opportunity. Also outline that you do have experience with outher languages, where appropriate.

At some point, for programming positions, they'll probably take you into a room and [strike]beat you[/strike] ask you to complete a simple coding test. Some kind of "Hello World" thing, its designed to show that you're not lying outright on your CV and can "walk the talk". It seems very unlikely they'll discuss Database Schema with you at this point. Or at all, honestly

At this point, they're looking for skillsets, a person that will fit into the team and is willing to learn. They're looking for a programmer, not a DBA, so the database side will be the lesser skill. If you can bash out some basic SQL, you should be fine. Remember, Oracle uses PL/SQL, SQLServer uses T-SQL

Good luck. Any more questions, or anything I've missed, come back

Thanks for the tips, indeed you found the correct company.

I'm in visual studio 2008 now and writing some simple c# code.

I was going to hit W3C school to read about ASP.net as it is the first skill listed.

Just to learn basics of Asp.net, C# and Databases is not an easy task within a few days

It does identify though if i take away my resources internet and books and left with my brain and a pen then my immediate memory isn't the best.

I've had to learn things, sit tests. Then refill my brain with another skill.

Still it's all good fun :T

wireframe_2

I think I saw the jobspec online. Looks like a sound start to programming. Interview shouldn't be too taxing, from that spec either. Good luck!

Robtyketto

Well I didn't get the position :-(

On the test there were some simple sorts to write (insertion/bubble) and I just fell apart and couldn't write them (forgot which was which etc..,) in vb.net (preferred choice due to experience) or in C# which I was recently learning.

There were THREE positions available Software dev, app support and Database programmer so I thought I might have a chance at the other two position but no :-(

I have 10 years experience in the IT industry, first class general computing degree and microsoft 70-505 .Net windows development (vb.net) and job offers ain't coming through :-(

Beginning to think quitting my last job to get a newer skillset via degrees etc.., was a BIG BIG mistake.

tuftyclub

bad luck. I haven't done it myself but this site always interests me - might get you some practical experience in your newer skillsets, it's volunteer work - but experience and references help

http://www.it4communities.org.uk/

axomoxia

Well, ten years experience is meaningless unless you can pass the technical test! Was that the only technical test or was there something that involved logical resoning and problem solving? I wouldn't worry too much, it takes me a few gos before I make sure I've got the correct answers ready... Do a google search for interview questions and keep plugging at it. Theres only a finite number of questions they can ask you before the questions get too esoteric to be much use as a technical filter.

Where are you based? I would have thought someone with a couple of years worth of solid vb.net experiance shouldn't have too much trouble finding work - a quick jobserve scan reveals three times the roles out there for your skillset, as opposed to mine....

Robtyketto

axomoxia wrote: »

Well, ten years experience is meaningless unless you can pass the technical test! Was that the only technical test or was there something that involved logical resoning and problem solving? I wouldn't worry too much, it takes me a few gos before I make sure I've got the correct answers ready... Do a google search for interview questions and keep plugging at it. Theres only a finite number of questions they can ask you before the questions get too esoteric to be much use as a technical filter.

Where are you based? I would have thought someone with a couple of years worth of solid vb.net experiance shouldn't have too much trouble finding work - a quick jobserve scan reveals three times the roles out there for your skillset, as opposed to mine....

The problem is all my coding experience is through academic experience/qualifications only (HNC, Degree and City & guilds)

I left my job as I was using legacy software Ingres/Informix and wanted to move into coding.

My degree was an applied information technology degree and NOT computer science.

I later passed the MS 70-505 exam via home learning course which consisted of practical coursework (vb.net).

So most won't touch me as it's not commercial experience.
I'm based in the west midlands, Staffordshire.

The test was 3 parts:-
Web design (no code just questions about layout, css etc..,), programming (writing sort routines) and database (write t-sql statements).

He stated in the interview my database answers were strong.

I've researched interview questions (though none really appeared in the exam) and downloaded a few commercial books too.

Still life goes on :-)

The only thing is I cannot afford another 6K I spent already on further training!! arghhh