How to Become an MS Access Developer

If you are looking to become an MS Access developer there are a few different routes you can take. If you are coming from a programming background then you will most likely take to MS Access quickly. If you are coming from a non programming background, but have had some experience of developing and implementing database systems then you may need some MS Access training, but may also be able to adapt your current skills. If you have no experience of programming or using databases you will need to decide whether to go on an MS Access training course or purchase a book on the subject.

Learning from a book or an online training course can gain you enough knowledge to get you to the job interview stage. You would have to know the subject well though. When MS Access first appeared there were not so many experienced developers out there and it was easy to talk yourself into a job with minimal knowledge. Now things have become more competitive and you need to be on top of your game.

If you have gained some knowledge of MS Access databases, but have no commercial experience, try and develop your own application. It could be something generic such as a library booking system or a simple order processing system. Print out the code and perhaps produce an entity relationship diagram. Take this as well as the system to your interview and demonstrate what you know. Be honest about your level of experience and the interviewer will appreciate this. Not many people bring samples of their work to an interview, but it is amazing the power this can have. Some can talk a very good talk, but when it comes to actually doing they fall by the wayside. If you have something to demonstrate then it shows that

a) You are very interested in the job

b) You can actually demonstrate you have some practical skills

Some companies use aptitude tests to filter out suitable candidates, but I don’t think this is a good indication that the person is likely to be a good MS Access developer. Some people are naturally good at aptitude tests, others are not. You could have many years experience of working with MS Access, but fail the aptitude test miserably. You know the type of test – find the next shape in the sequence etc. A better test is one that actually contains questions on Access database features. There are many types of queries in Access and you may get a question asking you to name them all. This is not hard providing you know your stuff.

Try to avoid hunting around the internet for scraps of information. If you intend to to become an MS Access developer then look for a well structured teaching or tutorial series.