[Kluny]

I have 3 years of SQL and while I do know what a join is, I doubt I could write a syntactically correct one that does what it's supposed to do, on a whiteboard. I'd need some test data and access to google, and at least three or four attempts.

Reason is, I work with a CMS that handles 99% of my queries for me. It would be monstrously inefficient for me to go around handwriting sql all the time. Any time it happens is by definition an extreme circumstance, so that's how I do it when it happens - with test data, google, and several attempts.

I'm pretty sure that would be reasonable for most jobs, but I wouldn't pass the tech screen if they wanted me to just freestyle it.

[spenuke]

That's fine, but you have 3 years of experience with a CMS. SQL is the Structured Query Language used to make queries, so if you're not writing that, then you aren't working with SQL.

I've been driving cars for twenty years, but it doesn't mean I have two decades of experience with fuel injectors.

[fapjacks]

Your example makes your point very well. You are totally right.

[EpicEng]

So you have three years of experience using tool which does the work of generating SQL for you. If you can't write a proper JOIN from memory then you shouldn't be putting "three years of SQL experience" on your CV.