Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I’m a third year Administration and Commercial Studies Student at a well known Canadian University (equivalent to U.S. colleges). I played poker as my primary source of income last summer and am starting to apply for positions for the upcoming summer. I cannot decide if I should put poker on my resume. I have no GREAT experience, so i figure this will at least catch their eye. The problem is that poker will be really hit or miss. Some will crumple it up and automatically assume im some degenerate gambler. Others might consider it as im willing to take calculate risk. I guess it will all depend on their knowledge of the game?

Since I do not have anything aside from poker and do not have the normal business connections to get me an interview, would it be so bad to add to my resume? I would label it something along the lines of: (under employment section)

"Semi-Professional Poker Player"
- engaging in thousands of calculated, long term oriented probability decisions
- had to maange my own bankroll and hours

blah blah..

Why or why not? If you think its a good idea, any suggestions on how to make playing poker resume friendly?

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Most people advise against it, but I decided to gamble. I don't really need a job now, so I just figured I'd see what reactions I'll get. Keep in mind, I'm only a sophomore in college.

Professional Gambler
- identify and capitalize on profitable situations made available through online gambling
- assess and manage financial risk
- track personal performance using QuickBooks accounting software

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I think that putting poker on your resume these days is a bad idea. It is simply too popular, and it is too easy for them to just assume you are some guy who likes watching the WPT.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I would go with bad idea. I would also consider an internship in your field. Even though the pay may not equal poker now, the head start on your career may have more long term EV.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I hire a few analysts per year, and seek out many of the attributes that good poker players would have. With that said, I would advise against it. More than anything else, your professionalism is being judged in the your ability to compose a resume.

If it came up in the less formal context of an interview, then you could really seize on how it has enhanced your quantitative skills etc... and I would see that as appropriate, as long as you had other things to talk about.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

[ QUOTE ]
Poker on the Resume??

[/ QUOTE ]

As a poker player and a manager, do not do this. Even I would look at a resume that listed poker skills with one eyebrow raised, just before it hit the bottom of the trash can. If I reviewing dozens of resumes looking for 5-6 people to interview for one or two positions, this is not what I'd be looking for--I'm looking for dedicated individuals ("How will you improve my company or my department?").

A resume is supposed to advertise your strengths that you can bring to that company. Most people would not consider poker to be a strength; most will see it as gambling, which in their mind is a weakness. Only an avid poker player could possibly see something good in this, so that would narrow the possible range to less than 5%, at best.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Maybe 1 in 100 will view it favorably, would be my estimate.

Half will think you are a lying, cheating, degnerate scumbag and roundfile you after showing his friends in the office what some jerk sent in on his resume. You might as well put "convicted felon" there to get the same response from this group.

The other 49% will having a spectrum of negative reactions from disgust to who cares.

That's just my gut feeling having spoken about poker and gambling with many many people. The usual reaction from the non-gambler is "Gambling? I don't even want to associate with it" while presumably conjuring up images of mobsters, hookers, and suicidal fathers jumping off bridges having gambled away their family's security. That's just how most people are conditioned to think about "gambling."

eastbay

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

ok so i have nothing on my resume from playing poker too much and even though i have made more money than anyone i know (in person) my age do i really need to consider this time spent as -EV?

in a semester i will have a worthless college degree, no extra curriculars, subpar recommendations, no job experience

SWEETNESS

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

NO..unless you are applying to be a poker dealer.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Here's a decision: NO!

And no more threads on this, just revive the old one if you want to ask the excact saem question.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Semi-Professional Poker Player"
- engaging in thousands of calculated, long term oriented probability decisions
- had to maange my own bankroll and hours


[/ QUOTE ]

Although true, most will view you as an arrogant chump

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

What jobs are you applying for??

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I've given this some thought (I'm Canadian too).

I've determined that I really don't want anything in writing that says that I'm a professional gambler.

--Dave.

Uh, other than this board, maybe? I don't know, I don't think I've ever said I'm a pro here. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a professional gambler.
I'm a pro


[/ QUOTE ]

Quoted for posterity.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Just say,"I was an indepentdent customer relations specialist."

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Also, never say; "I was poker whoring on the Internet."

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Seriously Vipon,

Dear Vipon,

All you have to do at job interviews is to be truthful. Playing poker is just a pass time for most people -- you should not volunteer to possible employers that you spent lots of time playing poker. If they ask you if you played poker -- be truthful and say yes, but don't elaborate. For example....

I have a neighbor whose son graduated with excellent grades in engineering at a top rated university. This guys gets almost straight A's, and is now attending an Ivy league law school.
He has played thousands of hours of Internet poker, and has traveled every summer to Europe, Asia and Australia -- he has essentially never had a job.

But this guy will never have any trouble explaining what he did in between classes. His grades are essentially all A's. The fact that you playing poker is not important -- it's your essence that counts -- your makeup -- your ambition -- your goals. Another case....

About twenty-five years ago, a regular poker player made a living playing $5-10, $10-20 draw poker and Lo Bal in Gardena CA. While doing this he managed to get a PhD in philosophy at UCLA. He is now a professor at UCLA.

If the employer likes your personality you will get the job.

Good Luck....

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

This would largely depend on which job you were going for, proclivities of the industry, that sort of thing

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

Some stock and options trading firms are very happy when you tell them you are a poker players. (i would say mostly smaller type companies). But, basically every other company probbably won't view it too positively.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

vipon,

Don't put poker on your resume. If you have no experience, you should be emphasizing your academic acheivements. The first person that is going to screen your resume is a HR professional. Putting poker on your resume could get you screened out immeadiately. They will definate think you just want to do only what you want to do, and it will leave the impression that you may not want to really work.

Good Luck

Mark

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I'm a junior who's just working out my resume. I plan on applying for jobs in the financial sector, like investment banking or fund management. Every person I have spoken to who either has knowledge of the business or has actually worked there (including recent interns) has recommended that I put poker playing on my resume. I also recently met with a career services advisor who recommended that I do the same, and even put some sort of figures in there as well. Maybe if you're applying to be a child care specialist at children's hospital you shouldn't put it on there (you lousy degenerate) but there are definitely sectors where it isn't just a good idea to put it on the resume, but clearly can be a huge asset.

Re: Can\'t Decide, Poker on the Resume??
 

I posted my opinion on this in another thread... As long as you can relate Poker to the job you are applying for, there is no harm in putting it on your resume. It gives you something you are passionate about to talk about in an interview.

Focus on what you have learned about money, risk, odds... as well as the learning process itself... and your self motivation! You have learned many skills that will help you in any job!

At the very least, it should be listed as a hobby!