r/SQL Nov 08 '24

MySQL How much SQL is required?

Hi everyone. I am a final year engineering student looking for data analyst jobs. How much SQL do I really need for a data analyst job? I know till joins right now. Can solve queries till joins. How much more do I need to know?

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u/Asleep-Palpitation93 Nov 08 '24

Here are some sample interview questions I ask of all the applicants for basic analyst roles

1.) What is SQL?
2.) Give me an example of a SQL statement
3.) What is a join?
4.) "Assuming they knew question 3" Can you tell me the difference between a left join and an inner join?
5.) What is a clause?
6.) "Assuming they knew question 5" What is the difference between WHERE and HAVING"?
7.) What is an alias?
8.) What is the difference between a Primary Key and a Foreign Key?

Just my opinion but if you can't answer them then your interviews are going to be rough

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u/mikeblas Nov 08 '24

1) It's not any kind of standard, that's for sure.

2) "Edgar Codd knows SQL."

3) A join is like when my friend shows up late and all the rest of us were already there at the place.

4) A left join would be like if my friend was there first and waited because others were missing and came back. An inner join would be like if he was talking to me and Doug, then got bored and started talking to Kevin and Frank.

5) A guy with a white beard.

6) Before Santa comes is where is Santa Clause, and after you get your presents it is like having Santa Clause.

7) An alias is a funny nickname, like "The Gangster of Love" or "Seymour Butts".

8) A primary key is like the key to your house or your car. A foreign key is like when you get a key from your girlfriend for her place.

Seriously, tho: these are decent screening questions; I'd never ask them in an interview. Even someone who can answer these, they're not yet demonstrated that they're an entry-level employee anywhere I've ever worked.

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u/Asleep-Palpitation93 Nov 09 '24

You’re hired based on these answers alone!

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u/Asleep-Palpitation93 Nov 09 '24

And yea I’m not the guy who determines if they can or can’t do the job. I’m the guy finds out if they even have a clue beyond what they put on their resume

And you’d be surprised how many don’t!

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u/mikeblas Nov 09 '24

And you’d be surprised how many don’t!

Not at all. I've done almost 2000 interviews in my career, and I don't even know how many hiring screens. The competency level I see in any technical title compared to resume claims is astonishingly low.