lying about poker.....

[blueace]

A defininte no no. To most people poker is gambling. Think from the interviewers point of view. They dont want to give the job to someone with any risks attached. To them, the uninitiated, you could play late at night and arrive knackered each day, play at work, have a gambling problem, etc, etc. They may think worse if they see how much time and effort you put into it. There are certain things that have to stay out of cv's, and for now ,unfortunately, poker is definately one.

[claypole]

Tell truth, ainec. Any lies will just catch you out further down the road, you'll be surprised how many people are genuinely interested in what you've been doing.  

[aaron1867]

No.

It shows lack of ethics.

What you been doing last X years? Playing poker?

Fail.

[tikay]

No.

It shows lack of ethics.

What you been doing last X years? Playing poker?

Fail.

Lying shows lack of ethics, too, & it will always come out on top eventually.

[aaron1867]

No.

It shows lack of ethics.

What you been doing last X years? Playing poker?

Fail.

Lying shows lack of ethics, too, & it will always come out on top eventually.

Perhaps agree on some level, but very unsure what telling an aployer about poker would achieve?

[claypole]

A defininte no no. To most people poker is gambling. Think from the interviewers point of view. They dont want to give the job to someone with any risks attached. To them, the uninitiated, you could play late at night and arrive knackered each day, play at work, have a gambling problem, etc, etc. They may think worse if they see how much time and effort you put into it. There are certain things that have to stay out of cv's, and for now ,unfortunately, poker is definately one.

Sorry - this post is utter drivel. I can't believe the number of people that would rather employ a liar, whose trust and integrity is at question from day 1 than someone who plays poker.

[outragous76]

Tell truth, ainec. Any lies will just catch you out further down the road, you'll be surprised how many people are genuinely interested in what you've been doing.  

Listen to this man he knows a thing or two about this

Also think the thread would benefit from Lucky McB posting

For anyone saying dont tell - GL in filling a 2.5 year void in your CV. I had a 6 month sabbatical on mine and in often raised more eyebrows than anything else.

[claypole]

If you don't get the job contact me or Tikay, we'd clearly give you a spin lol

[claypole]

Tell truth, ainec. Any lies will just catch you out further down the road, you'll be surprised how many people are genuinely interested in what you've been doing.  

Listen to this man he knows a thing or two about this

Also think the thread would benefit from Lucky McB posting

For anyone saying dont tell - GL in filling a 2.5 year void in your CV. I had a 6 month sabbatical on mine and in often raised more eyebrows than anything else.

I feel a little emabarrased now I didn't type a longer, more thought through post - however, I'm on the iPhone, at work after a 12 month break playing poker for a living.

However, whilst I fully acknowledge there are managers ad employers out there who may allow this to influence there decisions - I think that raises a bigger question, do you want to work for them?  I think on balance, as Tikay has said generally these things will come out. The alternative is and fill the gap or look like someone who hasn't Breen able to secure a role in the last two years; neither are attractive to an employer.

I would be proud of what you have achieved poker wise, however balance it with showing the same level of passion about the new role and be clear about the reasons why it's so attractive. There's quite a positive approach of making someone feel there company and role is more attractive than our lifestyle and that's why you're there.

Anyway, good luck - I hope it goes well.

[tikay]

Would you like to WORK for a liar? The geezer says he'll pay you x, but pays you less? Or says it is 50 hours per week, but it turns out to be 60?

Nope, of course you would not.

Now do the obverse thing.

[Claw75]

yeah just tell the truth.  There seems to be this view that the general opinion among non-poker players is that it's a bad thing, only played by degenerate gamblers etc, but pretty much everyone I've ever told I play poker just finds it interesting more than anything else, and never had any negative reaction.  When I was out of work I attended a job-club type thing a few times a week and all the recruitment specialists that worked there said they thought it was a good thing to list as a hobby as a talking point.  If it's what you've been doing for a living I think it's even more important that you include it on your CV - just lay it out like any other regular job, listing the transferable skills etc.

[TightEnd]

Agree with this

Transferable skills involving numeracy etc, accentuate the positives

FWIW I wouldn't lie about it, got to turn it into a selling point.

Much depends on the open mindedness of the interviewer/company 

[Lucky]

Tell truth, ainec. Any lies will just catch you out further down the road, you'll be surprised how many people are genuinely interested in what you've been doing.  

Listen to this man he knows a thing or two about this

Also think the thread would benefit from Lucky McB posting

For anyone saying dont tell - GL in filling a 2.5 year void in your CV. I had a 6 month sabbatical on mine and in often raised more eyebrows than anything else.

Hi Guy.

I did post this earlier.  "Your mate ought to be able to help you decide. He can tell you about the company culture and values. Hopefully he'll know the interviewer and be able to tell you something about them and their interests too. Look the interviewer up on Linkedin as well.

Good luck."

I'm also in the "honesty is the best policy" camp, and would explain it in the way others have suggested, linking skills used to skills needed in the new role.  I would also find out as much as possible about the company and the interviewer in advance, so that I'd have  a fair idea of how well received this is likely to be.

[FUN4FRASER]

In my 20 s I would of thought differently and tried to hide the fact , but life experiences have dictated a big shift in mindset.

On a similar vein I had issues with girlfriends making ignorant judgements (although they were happy to accept holidays etc on the back of winnings)  one actually asked me to choose between poker and her...    Needless to say I still play poker   

If they know the facts from day one , then they will either accept you or not , in any case eventually the truth will come out and then you will look bad for witholding information.

[tikay]

Good interviewing technique beats lying all ends up.

Nice crisp ironed shirt, dark tie, shine those shoes, arive nice & early, firm handshake, make lots of good eye contact, & smile. Smiling is always a winner.