Finding a PL/SQL developer

Question

For those of you who have to select, or participate in selecting, PL/SQL developers, how do you know a really good one when you see him. I am not so much interested in ancillary skills like process modeling, data design, and so forth. I am only interested, at the moment, in PL/SQL skills. What traits tell you this one is a real winner and that one is lacking? Do you use practical questions, a quiz, request to look at sample code?
And, if you can manage to tell the wheat from the chaff, can you also tell who has real promise - those that could become great with a bit of time and mentoring - from those who will likely never be very good?

Answer 1

Hi AJ,
how do you know a really good one when you see himThey tend to look like this:
http://stevenfeuerstein.com/images/stevenf.jpg
Do you use practical questions, a quiz, request to look at sample code?I have, but coding is such a personal style, that I prefer to use employer referrals instead. You are always allowed to ask any previous employer "would you re-hire this person", and the answer says a lot!
But seriously, there are some books that have questions to ask PL/SQL developers:
http://www.google.com/search?&q=pl%2Fsql+job+interview+book
And, if you can manage to tell the wheat from the chaffPersonally, interpersonal skills are sometimes as important as coding skills. Here is how I do it. First, I take them golfing, that says a lot about their ability to play well with others:
http://www.dba-oracle.com/golf_travel/golfing_job_interview.htm
This article is very good, IMHO:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/Longhorn/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnsoftware/html/software07072004.asp
"It is much better to reject a good candidate than to accept a bad candidate. ... If you have any doubts whatsoever, No Hire."
A good manager should know to look for the seriously focused individual, one who wants to constantly educate themselves:
When I evaluate a candidate, one of the most important criteria is what I call "the first derivative". Is this person learning? Is this candidate moving forward, or have they stagnated?"
Hope this helps. . .
Donald K. Burleson
Oracle Press author
Author of "Oracle Tuning: The Definitive Reference":
http://www.dba-oracle.com/bp/s_oracle_tuning_book.htm