I have a degree in Business Administration but started playing poker for a living right out of college. Now I can play poker online for a secondary income. I am about to do a serious job hunt but I have some questions:
How do I show the 5 year gap in my resume? Will most businesses be turned off because I was a poker player? What should I do? Thanks for all your help!
2006-08-10 10:10:05 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
It's going to depend on how educated the person is about poker. There are lots of people out there who have never played poker before, or barely know the difference between a flush and a straight. You should expect people that don't play poker to react negatively. The people who have never played poker or have only played a few times at home will most likely compare poker to games like slots or roulette. In other words, for those who don't understand poker very well, they usually place poker in the same category as house games that can't be beat.
Of course there will be people out there who will understand that you must have a pretty good head for business if you made a living for five years playing poker. Many of the things that have enabled you to win in poker can also allow you to win in business. If someone came to me and was able to convince me that they have made a half way decent living playing poker for five years, I would probably hire that person over a Harvard graduate.
For those people you encounter who understand the game well, you just have to prove that you are what the company is looking for. For those who do not understand the game, you might need to get dealt quad aces in three cards to sale yourself to them.
Unfortunately, there are more people out there who do not understand the game than people who do. There are many people who think "luck" when they think poker, completely unaware of how complicated the game is and how large of a roll that skill plays in the game.
I expect you will face both negative and positive responses. Just stick with your job hunt until you meet the right people. It's just like poker man, sometimes you gotta wait a while before you win a hand. Sometimes you might have to throw 50 or a 100 hands in the muck in a row until finally you find yourself in a winning position. I'm sure if you stick with it long enough, you'll be dealt the right cards in the right situation that will land you the sort of job you are looking for.
2006-08-12 08:54:07 · answer #1 · answered by aaron g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think not as you have gotten it out of your system now and are ready to settle down and tackle the corporate world . Poker is a job and it is a tough way to make a living . It is the only place you can go to work and end up losing money .
2006-08-10 10:37:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you like to Keep working from home? If so let me provide you with a gereat opportunity. I am involved with a company called Melaleuca and what I do is consumer Direct Marketing. I show people how to shop and get better safer products like I do. If you are interested let me know at birddawg@myway.com
2006-08-10 11:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by birddawg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think they would be impressed with your ability to sustain yourself. It makes you look entrepreneurial. Plus, it takes intelligence to succeed at poker, so that might work in your favor as well.
If it made you happy to play poker, you should be proud of it.
2006-08-10 10:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by DomC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the industry but sales managers usually like risk takers so think about sales.
2006-08-10 10:14:46 · answer #5 · answered by dt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋