Would you mention poker in a job interview?

[baggins]

I'm a Christian. And I tend to be fairly conservative on a lot of things (though in a way that defies the label of liberal, even). Anyway, I play poker, and see nothing wrong with it. It doesn't matter whether you're a Christian or not, it's whether you see poker as gambling or skill.

If you can tell by your conversation that the interviewer would be sympathetic, at least, to someone who played a skill game for money, then don't hesitate to mention it if it comes up. if you can tell the interviewer is uptight, or less than down-to-earth, or just a bit sheltered, then maybe you should refrain from it. use your best read in the situation. if you're asked about your hobbies, or asked another relevant question and you think you can put a positive spin on your poker playing, then do it. otherwise, let it go. you should have plenty of other interests besides poker to mention.

i had a job once that i didn't have to apply for - i had a connection and used it. however, my boss was the head accountant for the company, and he was a cool guy. in conversation, i told him i played poker. i explained that i studied it, and took a mathematical, logical approach to the game. he thought that was cool. and it never really came up again. just one of those things that some people are sympathetic toward, and some aren't.

my aunt, 5 years ago when i told her i played poker - sometimes in casinos - was dismayed and told me i should be very careful and that gambling could really become addictive, etc. now, after seeing poker on TV, has changed her views. on thanksgiving i turned on the WPT coverage, and she was like 'oh yeah. poker baby! that Moneymaker guy is good, huh?' and generally enthused about the whole thing. so, really this poker on tv thing has shed a new light on poker players and gained us a little more respect.

use your best judgement. after all, that's something you should learn playing poker...

[_And1_]

Mentioning it sweden in an interview, no way man. As some mentioned, some ask about your "hobbies" and some dont, but i would never mention that i play poker. Most ppl here would would look at you and say "next", as they would think you'd be out at the racetrack or casino every other evening.

I guess it would be the cardinal sin in my case, accounting.

[FredJones888]

you were going for a gov job that probably required a security clearance, I'm sure that was a factor.

gamblers are considered a security risk because of the potential for financial problems as well as emotional problems.

[OrangeHeat]

No.

When I was in college I did a summer internship with General Motors. Towards the end they told me that when school was finished they would hire me on full time. Great I thought...

My father works at the same facility and apparently he discussed my poker "habit" with some of the guys there. When school finished and I called them up - they wanted nothing to do with me - wouldn't even send me a nice rejection letter..

I found out through a friend that got hired at the same facility and inquired why I was not aksed back that I was not wanted because of my gambling problem......I love those last two words "gambling problem"... WTF

Orange

[OldLearner]

The topic is mentioning "poker" as a hobby in an interview.

Don't you list your hobbies/interests on your resume as well.

Again...I wouldn't mention it in either place.

50% - negative image
25% - positive image
25% - don't care

EV?

[rkiray]

The evangelical Christans that make up King George's base consider gambling a sin. Some such as the Southern Baptists consider playing cards of any type a sin. One of my grandfathers never played any cards becaue of this. He also never drank alcohol or smoked. But KG's backers are definitely against gambling. KG has been trying to get rid internet gambling and both he and his AG have stated that internet gambling is already illegal. Most legal experts seem to think that only sports betting on the internet is illegal in most states. But hey both KG and John Ashcroft don't seem to care much about what the law or even the constitution actually say.

[rkiray]

I helded extremely high security clearances for several years. Gambling doesn't stop you from getting a clearance or keeping one. I lived in Las Vegas for a year during this time. There are many people there with very high clearances. Almost all of them gamble. If you gamble too much or if you get in financial troubles, then you can lose your clearance.

[Kinli]

I would never mention poker in a job interview or on my resume. The purpose of both is to find a reason NOT to hire you.

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. Or if the facility were working on secure contracts, because even if you don't need clearance, you still remain a risk.

Join the Rotary, join the JayCees, volunteer at something...then list these as your hobbies if it becomes necessary to bring them up. But rule of thumb is: say as little as possible that might be used against you.

This is, first and foremost, a weeding process, not a hiring process in most cases.

[Al_Capone_Junior]

1% yes - if you are applying for a poker related job. Or perhaps if your interviewer brings it up first in a favorable light.

99% NO - many people who are not familiar with poker will have at least a semi-negative reaction to it. You wouldn't want to take this risk in an interview with an unknown person who holds your fate in his/her hands.

al

[Al_Capone_Junior]

as a general rule I would tend to keep such matters as being a card player secret from the general population at any new workplaces, at least until you are quite sure who's cool and which people are likely to look upon you unfavorably if they find out you're a "gambler." It may sound paranoid to say this, but I have found this policy to be the BEST policy, despite sounding favorable. You just don't want such things to come back and haunt you when jobs are concerned.

al