Would you mention poker in a job interview?

[rkiray]

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Furthermore, speaking as a former Facility Security Officer for a defense contractor (and as someone else already mentioned) gambling would be the kiss of death if any security clearance were needed.

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This is simply a lie. Legal gambling done in moderation does not affect security clearances. It's been more than 10 years since I held a clearance, but I held an extremely high clearance for years. No one ever said I couldn't gamble. All my coworkers held similar clearances and most if not all of them gambled (at least when I was living in Vegas). In the last two years I've played poker both in Colorado and Nevada with many military officiers that I'm certain have access to classsified information. As long as you don't get into financial trouble and it's legal gambling it simply isn't an issue.

[CountDuckula]

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I've been interviewed for jobs at least 15 times, and I have never been asked about my hobbies. Ever.

Regards,

T

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Perhaps eventually someone will hire you. When this event, however unlikely, does occur please tell us if that prospective employer asked about your hobbies?

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What prompted that snide remark? I've been interviewed for jobs at least 15 times over the years, and have been gainfully employed for most of my adult life (I'm almost 46, and work in the computer field, and was a temp/contractor for several years). The fact that the original poster had 15 job interviews says nothing about his/her employment status.

I do, however, recall being asked about my own hobbies now and then (at the time, though, I didn't play poker, and probably wouldn't mention that; especially since I can name a few that are a bit more socially acceptable, such as chess [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]).

-Mike

[ResidentParanoid]

I wouldn't mention it. Assuming you want the job, the risk/reward just isn't worth it.

[AleoMagus]

I have it on my resume for a long time and it hasn't been a problem. The thing is, I would never just write "Poker" or "Gambling". You need to paint a better picture than that.

I put "Tournament Poker" or "Competitive card playing". Another good strategy is to mention in the personal acheivements section of your resume a poker title of some kind or any published poker writings. If you have ever won any kind of poker tournament EVER, then that is good enough. "Two time Pokerstars Texas Hold'em Sit and Go Champion" is a bit of a stretch but even that could probably be made to sound official.

If asked about it, be sure to emphasize the competitive nature of this pastime, your academic interest in it, and your drive to play well and win. Whatever you do, do NOT emphasize the gambling aspect of it.

The funny thing is, I doubt employers are bothered by the moral implications of poker itself, they just don't want to hire a degenerate loser who will steal from the company to pay gambling debts.

Or, just don't mention it at all

Regards,
Brad S

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Fred:

Except that I already held a job that had that high level clearance.

best wishes,
Mason

[SlyAK]

I am pretty sure that mentioning poker in a job interview is -EV. In most cases it would probably either hurt you or be neutral. However, s case where it might be helpful would be in work with statistics/math etc, if you could spin the strategy aspect a certain way. Interesting thread, those are my 2 cents.

Sly

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

I would mention it as a hobby, as in, "I enjoy playing poker with a couple buddies a few times a month. My accountant plays, and is usually the big winner, but I hold my own and win more than I lose" This has the benefit for me of being the honest truth. That I also play 15-20 hours a week online is something I would leave out. Few people understand what being a poker player really means, that is, that you sit for hours to earn a few BB an hour.

Fortunately for me, I am self-employed, so I don't have to worry about job interviews, just making enough to pay for my office and secretary.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

I'm a poker player, and I wouldn't hire you. I know what kind of poker I play. I play solid. I don't "gamble" with money. I have a sufficient bankroll, built on hours at microlimit and I play nothing more than $2/4. I cash out $500 when I hit $1800 in my bankroll to avoid temptation. Good players manage bankroll and betting this way. Many do not. I would consider a poker player a higher risk and would not hire him.

BTW, I also officially discriminate against smokers and refuse to hire them, regardless of qualification. This is entirely legal and I will continue to do it unless smokers are given protected status as minorities.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

I did not mean I would not hire Kurns specifically, just that I would not hire someone who told me they played poker in more than just casual home games or the occasional casino jaunt. So, you see, I did not mean to insult Kurns specifically, just all poker players as a group (myself included). [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[pudley4]

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I would consider a poker player a higher risk and would not hire him.


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Why? Wouldn't you use your knowledge of poker to try to find out if your prospective employee was actually a good player, understood the grind, built up a bankroll, etc? Wouldn't those qualities be good?