Poker as relevant experience for an investment banking internship?

[W. Deranged]

What do you mean by "investment banking"?

I am an investment banker right now. Playing poker (which I put on my resume) had nothing to do with me getting my current position. No one here cares or understands.

If, though, you mean "trader" or "quant" (as you may well because you are studying math) then it could help you a lot. I got several questions on poker from interviewers for quantitative and trading positions. The kind of skills a good poker player has - quantitative problem solving, quick decision making, tolerance for stress and risk - are valued much more in those financial positions than in true "investment banking."

One thing people don't think about enough is how VASTLY different the cultures are in different financial positions. Investment banking and private equity will have an office environment WORLDS apart from a trading floor and many hedge funds.

[Howard Beale]

I can't advise you either way but I WILL strongly suggest that if you DO put it on your resume that you absolutely, positively not mention that you post on an internet poker forumn as 'DrunkHamster'.

[Rotating Rabbit]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know if anyone here is anything to do with banking, but I'm applying (almost for the hell of it) for sponsorship from Deutsche bank for my university degree. Normally I wouldn't mention poker on anything like this, but I have a feeling they would appreciate, or at least not look down upon playing poker with a reasonable amount of skill.

Am I being hugely stupid, or do you think this will help me to get through the first round?

(PS sorry for the poker content, but OOT did seem the most sensible place to post this)

[/ QUOTE ]

Its a reasonable question.

The answer is that you should mention it on your cv/maybe only in passing in [censored] online questions in application process/ but NOT exagerate it there.

Remember that in the application your primary objective is to get past the sphincter that is HR. They, being completely miles away from the front line often get things wrong with 'new' stuff. Just give them what they want to hear, which is you're 1) initiative taker, 2) teamworker (haha as if), 3) positive attitide, 4) interesting, 5) smart.

Just tick the boxes.

If you want to add a little spice when you're being interviewed int he 2nd round by someone whose actually in the business-end of things they might appreciate something different, HR will just go droid-like 'does it fit my tick-sheet'.

Get past sphincter first then talk about it.

[elwoodblues]

As others have said: the potential benefit is relatively low, the potential downside is great (not getting an interview that you might have otherwise) --- it's a no-brainer. The chance that putting poker on your resume will push you over the edge into the "give an interview" column is so low that it shouldn't even be considered.

Frankly, I would consider it a negative that you put it on the resume (not the fact that you play poker, rather that you thought it was something to include on a resume.) Putting it on your resume shows poor judgment and a lack of critical thinking about larger contexts.

[DrunkHamster]

I haven't done it yet, which is why I asked you guys for advice. Thanks a lot, it seemed like a good idea to put it on but clearly it is not worth it - yes the first people to see the application will be HR, so it is probably not wise. I think the position is front office, but it's not exactly clear.

[oddjob]

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't done it yet, which is why I asked you guys for advice. Thanks a lot, it seemed like a good idea to put it on but clearly it is not worth it - yes the first people to see the application will be HR, so it is probably not wise. I think the position is front office, but it's not exactly clear.

[/ QUOTE ]

a better idea would be to put how many women you have nailed, to show them your people and sales skills. ability to communicate to and manipulate people.

unless your number is low, then i'd just leave it off.

[kokiri]

[ QUOTE ]
What do you mean by "investment banking"?

I am an investment banker right now. Playing poker (which I put on my resume) had nothing to do with me getting my current position. No one here cares or understands.

If, though, you mean "trader" or "quant" (as you may well because you are studying math) then it could help you a lot. I got several questions on poker from interviewers for quantitative and trading positions. The kind of skills a good poker player has - quantitative problem solving, quick decision making, tolerance for stress and risk - are valued much more in those financial positions than in true "investment banking."

One thing people don't think about enough is how VASTLY different the cultures are in different financial positions. Investment banking and private equity will have an office environment WORLDS apart from a trading floor and many hedge funds.

[/ QUOTE ]

what he says

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't done it yet, which is why I asked you guys for advice. Thanks a lot, it seemed like a good idea to put it on but clearly it is not worth it - yes the first people to see the application will be HR, so it is probably not wise. I think the position is front office, but it's not exactly clear.

[/ QUOTE ]

it might help to have a better idea what you're gunning for. FWIW, there are many reasons to move into the city, 'for the hell of it' whilst no doubt quite common in reality, is about the worst i've ever heard.

Personally I would put it on. HR aren't going to can your application because of a one liner in hobbies (the checklist there probably goes 'has hobbies? -check, hobbies are not illegal drugs? -check') and it might well attract the interest of a potential interviewer. Better to give them something to talk about you know a lot about than end up talking about something the interviewer knows loads about that you know squat.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

the good news is that you are already used to playing / working for 20 hours straight just to break even... same thing will happen your first few years in investment banking... have fun.

[jaffa]

This gets asked at least every week. Maybe the correct answer should be sticked or something.

I dont think you should put it in your cv or cover letter. If you get an interview, maybe mention it then if its appropriate.

[TxSteve]

"Am I being hugely stupid"

YES. You should stay clear if it