MS SQL Server Interview Questions

What kind of ERP systems have you worked with?

Manufacturing, service, accounting, sales tax?

SQL Server Optimizations

What are some of the optimization strategies you've employed?

Triggers

What's the most challenging trigger you've written, and what does it do?

Cursors

When should you use them, and when should you not?

Stored Procedures

What kinds of Stored Procedures have you written that you are most proud of?

Functions

Why would you use a function, and what are some examples?

Views

In what situations would you use a view?

Indexes

Would it be a good idea to create an index on every column of a table? Why or why not? (DELETEs, INSERTs, UPDATEs, and disk space)

What size databases have you worked with?

Constraints

User defined datatypes

Bit datatype (NULLs?)

Transactions and Isolation Levels

How many columns can you have per table? (limited to 8060 bytes total)

Clustering knowledge?

Delete table vs. truncate table

Can truncate table be rolled back?

Explain the SQL Server architecture

What are the key differences between SQL Server 2000 and 2005?

Have you created any VB.NET stored procedures?

What makes SQL Server better than Oracle or any other types of databases? (leading question)

Replication?

SQL Mail?

Have you searched for columns in a database and updated all the tables that have those column names?

ETL/DTS/SSIS Experience?

Crystal Reports

Ideal work environment

Cubicle?

Weekends/Evenings?

Would there be anything that would prevent you from working 40-45 hours a week at the office?

We no longer offer working from home as an alternative, especially for the position for which you are applying. Are there any issues with working from the office at least 5 days a week?

Working with users who don't have written specifications.

Working with users who demand scope creep.

What kind of salary are you making now, and how is your bonus plan structured (and do you like it that way)?

Do you feel comfortable in a SOX environment

(documentation/authorizations/development/production)

Have you had a chance to learn about our company and what we do?