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I noticed that a lot of us are in a dilemma on whether to put gaming in our resume (or as a response to interview question of what is your hobby) while applying for jobs unrelated to gaming. This is the latest post I see in TL related to this topic:
I had my fair share of this dilemma while looking for jobs. In my previous job in a bank, the interviewer asked me what do I do in my free time and my response was "I sleep a lot and I love to play playstation". Yes this sounded even worse but I got the job. And when I started working there, one of my officemates mentioned this interview and said that I stood out among the applicants.
While currently looking for a new job, I came across that TL link. Anyway, during the interview I was asked "tell me about a TV show, movie or book that you really like and convince me to watch or buy it". I really want to say this "not really a book or TV show, but it's a game - Starcraft!" but because most of us say that it's safer not to mention about gaming during an interview, I instead said "Sidney Sheldon novels". My answer was really lame, I don't even know how to explain why I love his novels.
Good thing I was asked to come back for the second round of interview. They asked me a hobby-related question again. “What makes me enthusiastic outside of work, aside from Sidney Sheldon?” So I became honest and said I’m actually into gaming. I enjoyed playstation, computer games and RTS games, it stimulates my mind. I even said that it’s kind of embarrassing since it’s not that common for women. But the interviewer said that’s fine, he even told a story about his former colleague who has a weird hobby and he himself admitted that he used to play Half Life until he had a child.
Two days later, I got the job offer.
So, moral of the story:
1. Honesty is the best policy.
I guess there’s really nothing wrong if you mention gaming in your interviews. (You don’t need to put it in your resume as resumes do not really include hobbies). There’s really nothing wrong on being honest just don’t overdo it e.g. saying I am staying up late just to watch the games, etc.
2. Test the waters first.
During the interview on my previous job, I said those hobbies because the interview was about to finish and he can’t think of any other questions to ask. We made ourselves comfortable enough (I have already established my credibility and technical skills) to mention another side about me.
On the job that I’m currently applying for, I spilled the beans during the second round of interview, not on the first interview, and also because I think they noticed me as too good to be true.
Also SlayerS_Boxer said this in his autobiography, Crazy as Me: “…I wanted to ask them why they would consider one with games as his hobby to be an immature child, when they would approve of those that watched movies and read books as a hobby.”
So that’s my story… I hope you guys can learn something from this.
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In an interview, I mentioned gaming, and the guy interviewing me asked me what I do in TvZ. I think mentioning your gaming career is good if the interviewer is younger, but older people tend to be against gaming, so try to hide it.
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On November 02 2010 11:53 Chairman Ray wrote:
In an interview, I mentioned gaming, and the guy interviewing me asked me what I do in TvZ. I think mentioning your gaming career is good if the interviewer is younger, but older people tend to be against gaming, so try to hide it.
wat job was this...
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hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies.
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Yeah it's totally because you are a woman IMO. Cgz though for not hiding the truth.
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It will have zero or a negative impact on about 95% of all jobs you apply to.... unless you're an administrator for a gaming site and have actually done tangible work (R1CH, Mani, etc) or you're incontrol or tasteless, no, don't put that shit on there. You look like an idiot.
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On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies.
why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games? if you assume every guy plays games anyway does that mean your first thought is always a bad one?
And what's wrong with the fact that you may not have any other hobbies?
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On November 02 2010 22:46 mustache wrote:Show nested quote +On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies. why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games?
Is the stereotypical gamer in your head in shape, socially adjusted and a hard worker??
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Yeah, I've never understood why people don't want to talk about their gaming habits in job interviews. It makes no sense. It's not like it's a crack addiction.
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On November 02 2010 22:50 Hawk wrote:Show nested quote +On November 02 2010 22:46 mustache wrote:On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies. why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games? Is the stereotypical gamer in your head in shape, socially adjusted and a hard worker??
That certainly depends. You can look at the MMORPG Grinders.....if they could dedicate to that, they can easily dedicate to their new job.
Anyone can look normal, be hardworking and mentally fine but they can also be something else. It's just whether you choose to be unless life forces you out of it.
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On November 02 2010 23:18 shinwa wrote:
Yeah, I've never understood why people don't want to talk about their gaming habits in job interviews. It makes no sense. It's not like it's a crack addiction.
Sure, being a gamer doesnt make you a bad person. But we have to admit that the rate of "socially introverted" people is higher among gamer than among other categories.
For most jobs, talking about your video game hobby is like saying that you don't like going out much when you're applying for a sales/commercial job. You might get the job anyway, but that sure doesnt send the message employers are waiting for..
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oh, i did not know that OP was a girl. well then. this completely changes my perspective of this anecdote..
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Calgary26003 Posts
It's a fun story, but the real moral is that you can't generate rules for life from your single experience. If you have to ask the question "should I mention ___?" then the answer is usually already no.
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On November 02 2010 23:22 Marksman wrote:Show nested quote +On November 02 2010 22:50 Hawk wrote:On November 02 2010 22:46 mustache wrote:On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies. why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games? Is the stereotypical gamer in your head in shape, socially adjusted and a hard worker?? That certainly depends. You can look at the MMORPG Grinders.....if they could dedicate to that, they can easily dedicate to their new job. Anyone can look normal, be hardworking and mentally fine but they can also be something else. It's just whether you choose to be unless life forces you out of it.
yes, im sure your boss would be thrilled to know that you spend every waking second that youre not at work playing wow. If you're for some reason hired, guess what he'll be thinking the first time you call in sick??
![[image loading]](http://loot-ninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/1008_jenkins.jpg)
unless you are applying for a position in the gaming industry or something where it would even be somewhat relative to your job, there is absolutely no reason to mention that stuff. the guy interviewing you knows dick about you. Saying that you play a lot of video games when you go for an accounting job doesnt say you're a hard worker.
On November 02 2010 23:53 Chill wrote:
It's a fun story, but the real moral is that you can't generate rules for life from your single experience. If you have to ask the question "should I mention ___?" then the answer is usually already no.
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Calgary26003 Posts
On November 02 2010 23:53 Chill wrote:
It's a fun story, but the real moral is that you can't generate rules for life from your single experience. If you have to ask the question "should I mention ___?" then the answer is usually already no.
My comment is overly rude - It wasn't my intention it's just a product of writing on the iphone :\
I think you did the right thing and I think honesty + confidence is always the best policy. I'm just sensitive to people having a single experience and advising everyone else to follow those actions without understanding why they worked and in which situations to use them.
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On November 02 2010 22:50 Hawk wrote:Show nested quote +On November 02 2010 22:46 mustache wrote:On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies. why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games? Is the stereotypical gamer in your head in shape, socially adjusted and a hard worker??
ummm no? When i think of a gamer i think of someone who plays games. being hard working in shape or socially adjusted are traits that have nothing to do with it.
actually now that i think of it most gamers are hard working(at the game at least), and most people in general are fat or unhealthy.
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I think it would come down to being a comparison gambling. using the old I like to gamble and think i am good at it. Do I put that I am an avid gambler on the Resume? Gaming and Gambling show a compulsive addiction to something external that could affect your work during the day(not saying it won't but they don't know that or would take the risk). I would never put on my resume that I am a gamer or I am good at playing video games. As society goes the more and more people will be able to relate but right now it is still out of the "norm".
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On November 02 2010 22:46 mustache wrote:Show nested quote +On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies. why would you have a negative picture of a guy that plays games? if you assume every guy plays games anyway does that mean your first thought is always a bad one? And what's wrong with the fact that you may not have any other hobbies?
I think that since every guy play video games, answering "gaming" as your hobby is an incredibly/generic boring answer or it can be viewed that you're an gaming addict. I might as well say "hanging out with friends" or something and it'll look like a retarded answer because it looks like I have no other hobbies.
Also when interviewers ask this question, I think they are trying to find out something interesting about you, and perhaps talk about it a little. Gaming as a hobby is boring/generic for guys, but it's pretty interesting if you're a girl.
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On November 02 2010 12:57 crazeman wrote:
hmm I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this well, but do you think being a women makes it less weird for you to be into gaming? I mean I'm a gamer myself but when if I meet some guy and he tells me he's a big gamer, my first instinct/thought of him might be a negative one, but if I meet a girl who says she's a huge gamer, my first instinct would be "cool" and it wouldn't bother me at all.
Also I feel like it's pretty much assumed that every guy likes "gaming" (to some extent) so when Interviewers ask you for a hobby that you enjoy, if I say 'gaming' I feel like they'll look at it like I don't have any other hobbies.
This ^^.
A woman mentioning she's a "gamer" (or at least they think so), is usually cute, cool and unusual. A guy, usually, is not, since it's already assumed he's a "gamer" to some extent; and the no-life gamer stereotype is mostly connected to males, as they are the dominant population of the gamer world.
I agree with the point that we should be more proud and not be secretive of gaming, since it makes it look bad. I try to do that as often as I can, but sometimes it's not a good idea, as Chill said - mostly with older people.
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i never thought there's a really bad stereotype for guys who are into gaming. so naive of me. i just thought gaming as a hobby is considered bad, regardless of gender. i never thought there is such a difference. but thanks for your comments.
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I interviewed for a job with a small business run by two guys completely clueless about gaming. I talked about it as being a hobby and they were curious and interested. I think it helped me land the job. People who have little gaming experience don't look down on gamers. They see it as something unknown which provokes curiosity.
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people have all sorts of hobbies. if an interviewer asks what yours are, it can only help to be able to talk intelligently and enthusiastically about them.
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It really depends on the circumstance, in my opinion.
For a professional setting, such as a job interview, I would tend to shy away from things that make me a less viable candidate.
In casual settings or maybe after i've gotten a job or something, i feel comfortable talking about gaming. I don't see the problem in showing who i am - if they don't want to accept me because of it, i'm probably better off anyways (i'm fairly outgoing once i get talking)
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On November 02 2010 11:53 Chairman Ray wrote:
In an interview, I mentioned gaming, and the guy interviewing me asked me what I do in TvZ. I think mentioning your gaming career is good if the interviewer is younger, but older people tend to be against gaming, so try to hide it.
isnt this that "I told my interviewer was on TL so i got the job" Job? hahahah
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EPT
