My good friend Jon Baker suggested that I start a blog on this site, and as I tend to follow the advice of those smarter than I, here it is. As noted by the title of my blog, I’m a DW/BI guy with extensive experience using Microsoft SQL Server, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and soon Integration Services. I’m in Columbus, Ohio (GO BUCKS!) and like all multidimensional guys, I’m a little crazy. Not overtly so, of course. Just off-kilter a little.
One day Jon and I were swapping interview stories. (He's posted about this very topic at http://www.sqljunkies.com/WebLog/outerjoin/archive/2006/06/19/21960.aspx Is this a conspiracy? Oh yes.) He fired his very best interview question at me and I flunked it in spectacular fashion. That got me to thinking about how I interview DW/BI candidates, particularly those who claim to know Analysis Services. We decided that some of these stories were pretty good, so I'll be following this post with my favorite interview questions, and some of the responses I've received.
My last big client was The Home Depot. For 18 months I traveled between Columbus and Atlanta to help pioneer an Analysis Services implementation in their Enterprise Data Warehouse (“EDW”) group. In that time we always seemed to be short on talent, so I was asked to interview candidates. I probably interviewed a dozen candidates in about nine months, most of whom had Analysis Services on their resumes, and most of who really knew little about it or how to use it.
I admit to being a real hammer when conducting an interview. I take an adaptive approach, by starting with the high-level questions about architecture, business problems, and design philosophies. If the candidate fails those questions (and most do) then I begin to drill down into their technical knowledge. Just because a candidate can’t fill the role of architect doesn’t mean they aren’t productive when working under an architect. I’m sad to report that most people who fail the high-level questions also seem to know very little about Analysis Services’ product features. What’s shocking is that some of these people are actually giving clients architectural advice! Why can’t people admit “I don’t know the answer to that question” when peppered in an interview? Why try to bluster and bluff your way through it? Do you think I won’t know what you’re doing?! (Apparently, the pretender detector for most interviewers isn’t very sensitive as many of these people continue to land Analysis Services gigs.)
This transcends race, gender, nationality, and educational pedigree. I’ve interviewed Americans, Russians, a Serb, an Iranian, and quite some number of Indians. I will admit that I’ve had the most trouble with the country presently serving in a large outsourcing role. I’m pretty sure there are talking points and that candidates are being coached because I see unswerving devotion to their use. Supposedly, the interviewer will lap up the answer and be convinced of expertise! As we’ll see, these talking points are vaguely reminiscent of the Underpants Gnomes in a particular South Park episode.
So this is the first in a multi-part series about interviewing Analysis Services candidates. I offer these stories because they’re humorous and many of you will nod in acknowledgement. Some of you who read these may think I'm a real blowhard. Please be assured that I intend no offense to anyone! I've mentored men and women of varying nationalities, and they have taught me a thing or two as well. I also write these stories because if you’re considering a career in DW/BI using Analysis Services, these can help you. All of us who pitch our tent in the Microsoft camp do well when Microsoft does well, and we help them by attaining product expertise and plying our craft in the field. I’ve worked hard to attain expertise (and hopefully I have). If I can do it, so can you.
The next installment of My Analysis Services Interview Questions: Cool Business Problems.