10 best tech companies to work for in 2015

Google does no evil to its employees.
The tech company has been named the best place to work in 2015, according to a new report from Glassdoor. The career database compiled the top 50 places to work in 2015, based on feedback from employees.

Out of the 50 options, the top 10 tech companies ran the gamut, from digital management giant Adobe to the iPhone overlords of Apple. However, many a tech name was beat out by other well-known companies, such as Nestle Purina, Chevron and (maybe best of all?) In-N-Out, the West Coast fast food joint, which actually nabbed the third overall spot.

1. Google
The popular company is the top dog in the tech realm, and also conquered this year's list overall.

“The benefits and care of employees is obviously world-class, and compensation is almost unmatchable. But the company attracts some of the best talent and best people to work with in the world, which is the most important bit," writes an anonymous Google program manager in San Francisco, California.

2. F5 Networks
The application delivery network came in fourth place overall, but snagged the second spot on the tech list.

“Very competitive salary, great benefits that challenge the huge multi-nationals. Plus, the culture is something that makes your day worth being in the office, the atmosphere where everybody understands we are in the same ship and we need to sail it together," writes an F5 networks software engineer in Seattle, Washington.

3. Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg knows how to keep employees happy, whether by offering a video game room or free egg freezing for female employees (though that perk has been divisive).

“The amount of power entrusted to employees is huge. You are empowered to go explore and find data, build things and generally choose the course of action you think will have the most impact," writes a Facebook user operations associate.
Image: Flickr, Brian Solis

4. Qualcomm
Telecommunications company Qualcomm is always getting praise for its career culture. Just this year, it was cited one of the highest rated tech companies for internships. Clearly it's doing something right.

"[I] get to work on new technology, skills and products in the mobile space. Very good on-job training and an immense library and training resources. Good work-life balance in some divisions," writes an anonymous Qualcomm staff engineer/manager in San Diego, California.

5. Adobe
The software company that brought us editing tools like Photoshop and InDesign lands at No. 5 on this list.

“Adobe takes very good care of their employees; they make sure you get what you want from training to benefits. I simply enjoy going to work, enjoy sharing my ideas with intelligent (and humble) people who are always ready to help," writes an Adobe software engineer in San Jose, California.

6. MathWorks
Mathematic software company MathWorks seems to have found the perfect formula for employee happiness.

“Very friendly and supportive co-workers. Awesome perks. Company really cares about employees. Lots of opportunities for leadership roles. Easy switch to different teams," writes an anonymous MathWorks applications support engineer in Natick, Massachusetts.

7. Apple
It was a big year for the tech behemoth — new iPhones, ultra thin iPad Airs and smartwatches rained galore. Aside from forcing everyone to love U2, Apple is still a plush gig for employees.

“Apple offers crazy benefits, and competitive salary. By competitive, I don't mean a couple grand more in a year, I'm talking about a 2X / 2.5X salary. This place is a sea of knowledge. Never seen a more dedicated group," writes an Apple product design engineer in Cupertino, California.

8. LinkedIn
Networking social platform LinkedIn knows a thing or two about careers, so it makes perfect sense the company lands on this list.

“Besides the free food, there are lots of nice little company-sponsored events and things that happen. You can get professional development training easily. Your work schedule is generally pretty flexible," writes a LinkedIn site reliability engineer in Mountain View, California.

9. Zillow
Real estate database Zillow amped up its online presence this year by buying Trulia, which makes for an exciting 2015.

“If you're looking for a company that really cares about culture and happy employees, that's Zillow to a T. You're working with talented team members who are really passionate about their jobs, and their role in moving Zillow forward," writes an anonymous Zillow software development engineer in Seattle, Washington.

10. MINDBODY
As its name suggests, MINDBODY works to help small businesses grow, particularly in the realm of health and fitness.

“We're treated great with so many benefits: monthly wellness vouchers, onsite massage, onsite wellness classes, insurance, paid time off, etc. Managers are great! CEO is inspiring and visionary. From the top down funnels good vibes," pens a MINDBODY customer service/technical support employee in San Luis Obispo, California.

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70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012

QUESTION 1
You use Microsoft SQL Server 2012 to develop a database application. You create a table by using
the following definition:
CREATE TABLE Prices (
PriceId int IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
ActualPrice NUMERIC(16,9),
PredictedPrice NUMERIC(16,9)
)
You need to create a computed column based on a user-defined function named udf_price_index.
You also need to ensure that the column supports an index. Which three Transact-SQL statements
should you use? (To answer, move the appropriate SQL statements from the list of statements to
the answer area and arrange them in the correct order.)
Build List and Reorder:



Answer:

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QUESTION 2
You use Microsoft SQL Server 2012 to develop a database that has two tables named Div1Cust and
Div2Cust. Each table has columns named DivisionID and CustomerId . None of the rows in Div1Cust
exist in Div2Cust. You need to write a query that meets the following requirements:
* The rows in Div1Cust must be combined with the rows in Div2Cust.
* The result set must have columns named Division and Customer.
* Duplicates must be retained.
Which three Transact-SQL statements should you use? (To answer, move the appropriate
statements from the list of statements to the answer area and arrange them in the correct order.)
Build List and Reorder:



Answer:

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QUESTION 3
You administer a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 database that contains a table named OrderDetail. You
discover that the NCI_OrderDetail_CustomerID non-clustered index is fragmented. You need to
reduce fragmentation. You need to achieve this goal without taking the index offline. Which
Transact-SQL batch should you use?

A. CREATE INDEX NCI_OrderDetail_CustomerID ON OrderDetail.CustomerID WITH DROP
EXISTING
B. ALTER INDEX NCI_OrderDetail_CustomerID ON OrderDetail.CustomerID REORGANIZE
C. ALTER INDEX ALL ON OrderDetail REBUILD
D. ALTER INDEX NCI_OrderDetail_CustomerID ON OrderDetail.CustomerID REBUILD

Answer: B

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QUESTION 4
You develop a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 database. The database is used by two web applications
that access a table named Products. You want to create an object that will prevent the applications
from accessing the table directly while still providing access to the required data. You need to
ensure that the following requirements are met:
* Future modifications to the table definition will not affect the applications' ability to access
data.
* The new object can accommodate data retrieval and data modification.
* You need to achieve this goal by using the minimum amount of changes to the existing
applications.
What should you create for each application?

A. views
B. table partitions
C. table-valued functions
D. stored procedures

Answer: A

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QUESTION 5
You develop a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 database. You need to create a batch process that meets
the following requirements:
* Returns a result set based on supplied parameters.
* Enables the returned result set to perform a join with a table.
Which object should you use?

A. Inline user-defined function
B. Stored procedure
C. Table-valued user-defined function
D. Scalar user-defined function

Answer: C

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7 IT career risks worth taking

Whether you're just starting out in your tech career or you’re a seasoned IT veteran, knowing when to take risks can mean the difference between success and failure. Here are seven chances worth taking at any stage of your career.

Nate Good knows a thing or two about risk. The 30-year-old passed up the more traditional IT career path that would have taken him to Silicon Valley and, instead, took a series of calculated risks that propelled him to the rank of CTO of ShowClix, a full-service ticketing and event management company based in Pittsburgh, Penn., at an age when many of his peers are still struggling to find their place in the corporate world.

Six TED Talks that can change your career
Of the hundreds of TED talks available online, many are geared toward helping people view life in a new

Whether you're just starting out in your career or have been established for some time, there are risks you can take that better the odds of your landing that dream job, getting a coveted promotion or just gaining some new insight into your IT career. Here, our experts share their thoughts on when and how to push the envelope.

1. Look beyond the IT 'Meccas'
Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley (in New York City) are just two of the many vibrant IT career hotspots that have sprung up around the country and around the world. Don't be afraid to avoid these areas and look for an IT career a little closer to - or farther from - home, says Good.

Good himself passed up a chance to move to Silicon Valley from Pittsburgh, and doesn't regret that decision for an instant, he says. "There's real value in being a bigger fish in a smaller pond. Maybe you live in a lesser-known city, or a small town, but there's technology everywhere and those skills are essential no matter what the geographic location," Good says.

2. Focus on Workplace Culture
You'll be spending a significant portion of your life at work, so make sure the job and the workplace you choose aligns with your core values, and that you feel comfortable there. "Even if your skills and experience are a match, you might not be cut out to do IT work at a large, corporate bank or a freewheeling, creative advertising agency. Sometimes you have to dig deeper and look beyond what the surface trappings are signaling," says Good.

Sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, as well as personal feedback from LinkedIn and other social media contacts can help you ensure the job is right for you in every way.

3. Don't Focus on Salary Alone
Sure, a hefty salary has its perks, but if it comes at the expense of family life, or the job severely curtails activities, hobbies and outside interests that are important to you, it may not be worth it. "It has to be more about culture fit, growth and aligning with people who are going to have the same career goals and mission. All the money in the world isn't going to help if you're working sixteen hour days, weekends and late nights with no time to spend with your friends, family and on developing your hobbies," says Good.

4. Network Outside Your Industry
It may seem logical to network primarily with others in your industry, or those who share your passion for NoSQL or your interest in artificial intelligence (AI) development. And, of course, that's an important part of your career trajectory -- make all the connections you can using your community contacts, GitHub, professional associations and meetups but don't discount the opportunities that may arise when you start discussing your work and your outside interests with friends, family and social media connections outside that comfort zone. You could find your next opportunity in a place you never expected, says Rick Gillis, an author, career consultant and speaker.

"Don't forget that, especially in smaller IT markets, the guy in your own industry, who's got the same skills and experience and who also might want to land a great IT job might not want to share his connections or his tips with you," says Gillis.

5. Work With or for People Smarter Than You
Don't be afraid to work with or for people whose intelligence, experience or accomplishments intimidate you. While you might not think you'll ever match up, chances are you'll all learn a few things.

"Actively seek out situations where you're surrounded by those who are smarter than you, more skilled than you and with more experience," says Gillis. "This is what mentoring is all about -- you can't help but learn things, and you'll find you're smarter than you might give yourself credit for," Gillis says.

6. Work for a Small Company or a Start-Up
Once upon a time, Apple was a tiny start-up. Hewlett-Packard's origin story began in a founders' garage. If you truly believe in a smaller company's ideas and ability to succeed in the market with their product or service, take the chance, because it might pay off in a big way.

Start-ups are also great places to hone your independent thinking, creative skills and your ability to work as a team. "And don't be afraid to take a lower salary in exchange for stock options or a piece of the action -- because that could be a major windfall if the company succeeds," Gillis says.

7. Embrace Diversity
Don't be afraid to speak up if you've got an off-the-wall idea, or if you feel a policy, a process or "The way it's always been" aren't cutting it for you or your company. Technology evolves based on the ideas of mere mortals, so making sure your ideas are heard can be the difference between failure and success.

And finally, don't be afraid to forge your own path, says Good. "Despite what 'conventional wisdom' might dictate, sometimes going off the beaten path can be the best career move you can make, whether you're moving across the globe, pitching a wild new idea or taking that job at a startup instead of at a major IT heavyweight," he says. And he, of all people, should know.

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70-414 Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure

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QUESTION 1
In order to adhere to the visualization requirements, what user role should you sign to the ABC1
group when you implement the delegation of the virtual environment?

A. You should consider utilizing the Activity Implementers user role profile for the ABC1 group.
B. You should consider utilizing the Problem Analyst and Self-Service User role profiles for the
ABC1 group.
C. You should consider utilizing the Administrators User Role Profile.
D. You should consider utilizing the Incident Resolvers and Administrators user role profiles for the
ABC1 group.

Answer: C

Explanation:
User role profiles - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff461011.aspx

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QUESTION 2
In order to adhere to the visualization requirements, which of the following should be utilized when
you implement the virtual machine template which will be utilized by the Web server which hosts
the ABC Engineers applications?

A. You should consider utilizing a .bin file with the accompanying .cue file.
B. You should consider utilizing virtual hard disk (VHD) files.
C. You should consider utilizing a virtual machines and Windows PowerShell scripts.
D. You should consider utilizing .iso images and virtual machines.

Answer: B

Explanation:

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QUESTION 3
In order to adhere to the visualization requirements, which optional Microsoft System Center 2012
features should you add when you implement Microsoft System Center 2012 Virtual Machine
Manager (VMM) to the network infrastructure?

A. You should consider adding the Microsoft System Center Orchestrator.
B. You should consider adding the Microsoft System Center App Controller.
C. You should consider adding the Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager.
D. You should consider adding the Microsoft System Center Operations Manager.

Answer: D

Explanation: System center products - http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/systemcenter/
system-center-2012-suite-141827

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QUESTION 4
In order to adhere to the visualization requirements, how would you update the virtualization
hosts?

A. You should consider using WSUS and System Center Updates Publisher 2011.
B. You should consider using Microsoft System Center Operations Manager.
C. You should consider using Cluster-Aware Updating.
D. You should consider using Cluster-Aware Updating and Microsoft System Center App
Controller.

Answer: C

Explanation: System center products - http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/systemcenter/
system-center-2012-suite-141827

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QUESTION 5
In order to adhere to the visualization requirements and in order to allow the ABC2 group to
perform their functions, what should you consider creating?

A. You should consider creating sites and organizational units (OU).
B. You should consider creating collections and host groups.
C. You should consider creating organizational units and host groups.
D. You should consider creating a host group.

Answer: D

Explanation:

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