Success through social networking

As some of you may know I've been studying MS SQL Server is hopes of landing a DBA job. I have a friend who is a Database Developer who I look to for advice. He has gotten me into using Twitter following other SQL Server users to learn from. He also introduced me to SQL PASS which is the Professional Association for SQL Server. I learned that there was a local branch in my area that is the North Texas SQL Server Users Group. They meet the third Thursday of the month at Microsoft in Irving to cover certain topics, lectures and presentations. They also have an email mailing list that people can post questions to.

One day I just sent out an email asking if there was such a thing as an entry level DBA position. I received quite a few responses. I did have a few people ask for my resume that they forwarded to HR but never heard anything back on. A few days passed and I received an email from an IT Manager for Ben E. Keith. The position was as entry level DBA / Systems Admin job. They were pretty much looking for a backup to their one and only DBA. After 2 interviews and a long week of waiting, I received a call that they wanted to make me an offer. I instantly said yes. They are pretty much going to train me on everything that I need to know. As far as the pay, it's 10k more a year than what I make now. I'm really excited about this wonderful opportunity and can't wait to start.

I'd like to say that none of this would be possible if it wasn't for getting my name out there amongst other DBA's and showing some initiative.

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Comments

vCole

That's awesome and congrats!!!

dynamik

I'm in the midst of something similar. Social networking can be extremely beneficial if done properly. I doubt you would have had similar success had you simply posted drunken party pictures

I'm glad to hear things are going well for you; congratulations

networker050184

Congrats! The job you want and a bump in salary. You can't beat that!

whatthehell

Congratulations!

I always thought about joining local technology interest groups, etc. for networking and meeting people with similar interests, but never took the time to.
I am in Orange County, CA. --- I guess I could check Yahoo groups or something?
Don't really feel I can hang with the 2600 meetups they have around here, lol.

Do you or anyone by chance have suggestions?
I guess Facebook? and Twitter has seemed to work for you...

Either way -- that is AWESOME! pay bump and a desired position -- you are the man!

dynamik

whatthehell wrote: »

Do you or anyone by chance have suggestions?
I guess Facebook? and Twitter has seemed to work for you...

I'm on those along with LinkedIn and here on TE.

vCole

dynamik wrote: »

I'm on those along with LinkedIn and here on TE.

LinkedIn works well, I just was contacted for a part-time gig today.

Slowhand

I've found LinkedIn to be a very useful tool for professional networking. I've been able to pass along resumes, give recommendations that I otherwise would have forgotten about, and connected up with people that I feel are going to be very valuable in my future career. As for Facebook and Twitter, they're great for general social networking, but if you're getting ready to chat back and forth about professional endeavors, I like to ask those IT people I know on the other sites if they have a LinkedIn account.

jbrown414

I'm on LinkedIn but haven't used it yet. As far as Twitter goes, it can be hard to follow and you have to learn to weed out useless posts. I mainly look for blog posts that the seasoned DBA's post. I guess it all depends on how you use Twitter. I've even seen some people post jobs on Twitter.

bertieb

Linkedin FTW!

And folks, if you are already on or do sign up for Linkedin, make sure you join the TechExams group, just so I can put real names and faces to you all

Congrats on the new gig jbrown - good to see that all that hard work with the SQL studies has paid off.

Edit: Just re-read that, and I want to make it 100% clear that I'm not a stalker

meadIT

bertieb wrote: »

Linkedin FTW!

And folks, if you are already on or do sign up for Linkedin, make sure you join the TechExams group, just so I can put real names and faces to you all

Congrats on the new gig jbrown - good to see that all that hard work with the SQL studies has paid off.

Edit: Just re-read that, and I want to make it 100% clear that I'm not a stalker

LinkedIn Group Search wrote:

There are no groups that match your search criteria.

(7char min)

dynamik

bertieb wrote: »

Edit: Just re-read that, and I want to make it 100% clear that I'm not a stalker

Then why did you want my address?

TE Group here: LinkedIn: Groups: Sign in TechExams.net

bertieb

Weirdness. Perhaps the group isn't searchable?

Edit: Thanks dynamik
Edit2: 'Cos I wanted to return those high heels

dynamik

bertieb wrote: »

Weirdness. Perhaps the group isn't searchable?

I guess it's a secret

bertieb wrote: »

Edit2: 'Cos I wanted to return those high heels

Thanks!

blargoe

I didn't even know there was a TE group on LinkedIn. I'll join it, what the heck.

jbrown414

I'll have to join the TE group as well.

Thanks everyone for all the congratulations. These last 2 weeks at my current job are going to be the slowest ever.

Slowhand

Phew! What, did all of you just rush over this morning and sign up on LinkedIn?

dynamik

Slowhand wrote: »

Phew! What, did all of you just rush over this morning and sign up on LinkedIn?

8 out of 27 joined today

I don't know who half the people are though. Even worse, I can't remember the name => avatar connection for a lot of the people I've added personally

blargoe

Would it help if I upload my avatar to my linkedin profile?

RomBUS

Wow thats an awesome story

Good job and Congratulations on landing it!

loxleynew

Nice! networking is key to this field of work. Good job!

Slowhand

dynamik wrote: »

8 out of 27 joined today

And some jerkface group-manager approved them all.

dynamik

Slowhand wrote: »

And some jerkface group-manager approved them all.

I'd be careful with the name calling if I were you; that's not my group

I actually found out about it by chance when I noticed someone else was in it...

(That would be totally sweet, Blargoe)

Slowhand

dynamik wrote: »

I'd be careful with the name calling if I were you; that's not my group

Not to worry, I hear that particular manager's got his hands full with beta exams and old MCSE tests, (between cigars). He's far too busy to pay attention to what comes out of my mouth.

dynamik

Slowhand wrote: »

Not to worry, I hear that particular manager's got his hands full with beta exams and old MCSE tests, (between cigars). He's far too busy to pay attention to what comes out of my mouth.

I noticed that shortly afterwards; scary

Also, everyone should post their TE nicks in the LinkedIn discussion, so we know who's who

rfult001

You need to search for "techexams.net" and it comes up.

nel

well i cant be getting left out here. ive just request to be added to the TE group. I'll have to finally update my profile!

PLEASE JOHAN - LET ME IN!

Slowhand

nel wrote: »

well i cant be getting left out here. ive just request to be added to the TE group.

PLEASE JOHAN - LET ME IN!

No need to grovel to Webmaster to get in. There are plenty of other group-managers to grovel to.

nel

Slowhand wrote: »

No need to grovel to Webmaster to get in. There are plenty of other group-managers to grovel to.

Yes but why speak to the little people when i can go straight for the king

(only joking of course

)

captobvious

After all the posts I had to join this group. I hope i get in.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

This thread inspired me to sign up at Linkedin....wow....