Pro who wants to get back into the real world...needs help!!!

[Jobless23]

Hi all, I have been a longtime lurker and finally need some help from my fellow 2+2'rs. Here's my deal. Right now I'm 24 years old living in manhattan, and have been playing poker as my sole means of income since 9/30/05. For a year and half before that I played semi-professionally, but also held jobs. I graduated from a solid University in May of 04 with a degree in Finance.

Since graduating I have held 2 positions, one was as a finacial planner (don't ever become one of these guys) and only lasted 4 months. Then I worked at a major bank for 6 months 4/1/05 - 9/30/05 (I resigned). Since the banking job its been all poker for me. I have been successfull making $300,000 in tourneys (took down a 2k event, 3 other finals tables) and $145,000 in cash games this is since 1/1/05.

Over the last few months though I haven't been enjoying the game. I am tired of the variance (Ive had 3 downswings of 35k this year), the stress, explaining myself to people (Girlfriend, Family, Friends) , and having little interaction with people all day. I now want to start looking for a permanent job and start a career in the business world. This leads to a few problems that I hope you guys can give me some answers to.

My past record is spotty having 2 jobs coming right out of school both not being very long. Now I also have a year gap in my resume. What should I do to cover up this gap to potential employers and head hunters. I can only think of 3 options.

1) My family has a business I can lie on my resume and put that I have been working there for a year. It doesn't have much to do with finance.

2) Lie and say I was traveling

3) Tell the truth that I was playing poker and explain to them that it was me basically running my own business. (This can't be a good idea)

Anyway, this is the position I'm in. I feel like I really screwed myself and am very scared about my future. If anyone who was in my situation before or has anything helpful to say it would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes and if this went a little long.

Regards,

Buster

[mosch]

You have a degree in finance and you finished school right around the time of the poker boom.

Just omit your entire work history, and say you were playing poker professionally. It's not like that is going to be a huge red mark against you on Wall Street. Hell, I've been to firms that had actual poker rooms in their offices, to host their internal game.

If anybody asks why no more poker, mention something about stability, travel, family, working hours, etc.

[SittingBull]

DO NOT MENTION POKER when U apply for a job.
Being out of the working market for ONE year will NOT hurt your chances for obtaining employment.
Now had U been a pro for 5 years,then MAYBE u MIGHT have a little problem.
Try to be creative.
If being creative seems to be lying, give YOURSELF the benefit of the doubt.
Remember,in OUR CAPITALISTIC society,small white lies are perfectly acceptable. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Give yourself a decent chance.
May God bless U. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
SittingBull

[51cards]

I think there is still a stigma around poker and saying you were a professional may not help a whole lot. I'd leave it out if you can.

I'm an atheist and want everyone to know.

[orestto]

Family business. Why not?

[keith123]

yeah, don't mention that you played poker professionally because that perfectly explains why you left your other jobs, and why you might leave this job. you can tell the interviewers all day that you are done playing poker, but that will just sound like an alcoholic saying he is done drinking. you might run into a decision-maker that plays poker on weekends (doubtful really), but none of them play professionally.

i'd go with the the family business lie, personally. but if a lie is a reasonable option, i always take it. if you say travelling, you better sound convincing when they ask you about your experiences and what you learned abroad.

[pfapfap]

A year is nothing. Don't lie (very bad and will eventually bite you on the ass, if not here then somewhere), but you don't have to say everything. Just say you were young, fresh out of school, and wanted to stretch your legs and do some things on your own before entering the work force in earnest, since you knew you'd have the rest of your life to work, but only one year to be 23. If pressed, talk about some of your leisure activities during this time. This is not only 100% true, but would probably help you look more responsible and self-aware.

[steamboatin]

Start your own business, problem solved.

[Man of Means]

It's not necessarily a bad thing - you were a winning player after all. Some managers may appreciate the analytical and people-reading skills that a poker player has developed. Others may not. Use your read of the interviewer(s)/firm to determine if you should tell the truth or prevaricate. It's fine to admit that you still enjoy the game but find the lifestyle/instability not to your liking.

[Maize]

If you were playing in casinos you had to travel
to the casino to play. If you were playing online
you had to get out of bed & travel to the computer.
Number two option is NOT a lie! As a result of
this travel, you've made contacts with people from
all over the world; some of them very well-to-do.
(Potential clients)
This is not lying, it's called "SPIN".