Poker on the resume...

bigredlemon · #1 12-14-2005, 01:28 AM

I went to a job interview recently for a professional position. The interviewer commented that I listed "poker" in my interests section. I initially wasn't sure whether I should put that in or not, but in light of the recent poker explosion, I felt it to be relatively safe and may have been a good conversation starter. The interviewer, who happened to be the director of that corporation, said that he didn't want any gamblers working for him because they are loose canons with poor self control and prone to become degenerates. What followed was a spirited discussion on the culture of poker...

He was a rather stubborn fellow and we ended up agreeing to disagree. In any case, do you think leaving poker on my resume is +EV or -EV?

astroglide · #2 12-14-2005, 01:30 AM

there's a recent thread on this subject in the news, views, and gossip forum

personally, there's no way i'd hire you after you used the +EV/-EV thing here.

DcifrThs · #3 12-14-2005, 03:19 AM

so do you engage in gambling talk w/ random people in grocery stores who mention poker?

or somebody you walk by you hear them in about to tell a bad beat story?

or on a subway?

i run into this situation all the [censored] time...just smile and nod if they look at you or whatever, but i laugh my ass off when some jerkoff in ear shot jumps in w/ his own shpiel on the game.

ive never had it on my resume and one time in an interview setting i was asked if i play poker. i said yes. the guy asked if i won or lost i simply responded i do ok. next question. lingering on gambling talk in an interview settting is a no no imo.

Barron

afish · #4 12-14-2005, 09:10 AM

I wouldn't list interests, period. Enough people post on these forums about problems telling their family they play poker. You're going to highlight poker playing to a total stranger seeking to hire a trustworthy, responsible professional? Would you list craps? Strip clubs? Bad idea.

#5 12-14-2005, 12:07 PM

I think it depends what kind of job you are applying for ( and with whom). During my final interview with my current employer I spoke alot about poker and it was positive. I also knew the people at the firm played alot of poker before the interview, so I wasn't worried about it coming up.

henrikrh · #6 12-14-2005, 12:16 PM

Putting poker on your resume is really -ev. 1/100 times you will have an interviewer who is into poker and you will get the job. 99/100 times it will be the thing that makes you lose out to someone with equally good credentials.

eviljeff · #7 12-14-2005, 06:12 PM

you could spin it so it looks like a healthy hobby. emphasize your academic interest in poker - reading books, doing calculations, mentoring, participating in a group of bright individuals. I'd try to use "occasionally" and "in my spare time" and such liberally during an interview though. certainly don't get defense about it. also I wouldn't emphasize how much money you've won - many will think you just got lucky and were stupid for risking a large sum.

#8 12-14-2005, 07:04 PM

It depends on the type of interview. Generally, by the time I interview someone, they're past the "do they have credentials" stage. So my interview is geared to getting to know the candidate and if they would be a good "fit" with the company.

Generally, I only use the "interests" section as a way to guide the interview to those topics. If they can't talk about those subjects, that's bad (e.g., I had one interviewee who listed boxing as his hobby. I asked about several recent PPVs and HBO fights. He hadn't seen any of them. If you don't actually watch boxing, don't list it as a hobby). But if they can make interesting small talk about it, it's +EV.

That said, what you're asking is if poker is "taboo" anymore. I.e., no one would list porn or marijuana as an interest, is poker in that category? IMO, no. That said, I am a poker player, so I'm biased. But my company even had a poker night fairly recently. So I don't think it is considered a den of thieves, cheats, and liars.

BadBoyBenny · #9 12-15-2005, 09:08 AM

Don't ask us, ask the guy who you just interviewed with. The answer is obvious.

mackthefork · #10 12-15-2005, 11:29 AM

I'm often amazed by the ignorance and hypocrisy shown by business people when the subject of gambling comes up, especially as most business owners 'gambled' when they set up their businesses. The exact same short term swings, and bad luck are present in business as are in poker, the managers in cushy jobs need to be reminded that if someone didn't gamble once, then they wouldn't have the job they do right now.

Mack