How to fill the hole in my CV?

Anyway, there is a conspicuous hole there for the last 2 years. Should I just leave it empty and explain it individually (how to frame it?)? Write self-employed for 2008-2010 and expound upon further questioning? Again how should I frame it? I feel I worked hard and under very stressful and demanding conditions as a poker player during this time, but how can I translate this or simplify it to something a random joe-employer will understand?

I'm not sure what to do right now. I think it'd be best and easiest to get a part time job like.. delivering pizzas. You make decent cash that way and it has low barriers to entry. Any suggestions? I'm not even sure what 'more ambitious' or profitable work may be available. Maybe I will go sign up with the local labor pool but that is kind of crappy, randomly getting 1 day minimum wage gigs and such. I live in Orlando, Florida BTW

0 votes

What is wrong with telling the truth?

Or just go for the gold and be a HoN pro :D

you can either extend dates on previous work, make something general up like freelance work, tell the truth or say you traveled the world.

delivering pizzas sounds awful. Trying to get money off a bunch of drunk assholes at a house party at 3am for minimum wage is the nut low.

just say you played professional poker under the I.D. nutinsho at pokerstars

Say you were ill, it's not something you have to prove. gl dude...

Sad to see you leave... Hope you will be back!!
That beeing said, GL with finding a job, hope it works out for you

Just say you've played poker professionally for that time.

I used to fake resumes with jobs that didnt even exist. Fake company name, fake employer, fake phone number and everything. I would make it out of state, to give them less incentive to dial long distance. You'd be surprised how often employers dont care about verifying information as long as you make a good first impression.

The order my CV is in is...

Personal information
Objective
Education
Awards
Business Skills
Computer Skills
Laboratory Skills
Languages
Experiece
Leadership
References

I remember when I started working for my most recent job, before going freelance, I brought along my CV. He didn't even looked at it. Was more interested in what I had to say. Though it was a bit casual and more of a chat, I did feel like a bit of an idiot, turning up and like "yeah I got my CV, want to take a look?" totally expecting him to look, but he wasnt the bit interested.

On February 22 2011 16:51 Chewits wrote: I remember when I started working for my most recent job, before going freelance, I brought along my CV. He didn't even looked at it. Was more interested in what I had to say. Though it was a bit casual and more of a chat, I did feel like a bit of an idiot, turning up and like "yeah I got my CV, want to take a look?" totally expecting him to look, but he wasnt the bit interested.

They say you're not really "supposed to" offer your CV unless asked for @ an interview

ya, what uptown said about order is what im doing, i just made a new resume a few days ago, and it mostly highlights my education and "transferable skills", but im not sure what yours is like. i have a bachelors and a college diploma and will have a couple qualifications in apr

let me know if u want any resources

On February 22 2011 17:52 rockman255 wrote: ya, what uptown said about order is what im doing, i just made a new resume a few days ago, and it mostly highlights my education and "transferable skills", but im not sure what yours is like. i have a bachelors and a college diploma and will have a couple qualifications in apr let me know if u want any resources

I think the only change I could possibly make, is to bring "experience" in front of "skills" depending on their relative importance depending on the position I'm applying for.

when i went and interviewed at the company i work for now, i just kinda felt them out and decided to tell them about poker in one of the first interviews.. it ended up being a huge plus and they were interested in the good things from poker.. but it could go either way, i would say just feel them out and if you get a good read they arent crazy i would just tell em.. lots of people are poker fans.

hmm thanks so far all v nice

On February 22 2011 17:24 Uptown wrote: Show nested quote + On February 22 2011 16:51 Chewits wrote: I remember when I started working for my most recent job, before going freelance, I brought along my CV. He didn't even looked at it. Was more interested in what I had to say. Though it was a bit casual and more of a chat, I did feel like a bit of an idiot, turning up and like "yeah I got my CV, want to take a look?" totally expecting him to look, but he wasnt the bit interested. They say you're not really "supposed to" offer your CV unless asked for @ an interview

I dont know how someone would end up at an interview without the interviewer already having a copy of their CV, but it seems like terrible advice. Providing your CV is a sign that you put some effort into preparation as well as being professional.

FWIW id avoid telling the truth in this case. I dont think poker has any direct advantage to the jobs youre going for and chances are the boss wont understand anyway. There isnt really any good that can come of it.

The average time an employer will spend looking at a CV is like 30 seconds anyway.

You dont play many hands per day. Try playing 5-6k hands per day and be a rakeback pro.

i think the personal statement is kind of lame and i would definitly get rid of it

On February 23 2011 02:13 gororokgororok wrote: i think the personal statement is kind of lame and i would definitly get rid of it

yeah, keep it real.

Main thing is to find a job you can be enthusiastic about, in some way, or from some angle. For example I currently work in automation engineering and its such a massive change from being a useless leech of a poker player, now I am one of the most productive members of society, literally making cheap mass production filling of supermarket shelves possible.
Say to the employers "I want to learn this, I am keen to be good at this specific area". Employers like people with enthusiasm for the job
also! night! I know you: get out of bed ;P
Get out there at the front desk and go ask. No excuses. Worst that can happen is they say no and you never see them again.

Oh yeah, and I never mentioned poker, I think its bad idea to do so. I just said I had been on overseas experience, backpacking and doing odd jobs. ez mode

General CV sucks. Find a position, and taylor your CV for what it requires (especially if you send it prior to an interview). This shows specific skills you have for the position and also shows initiative and your enthusiasm for the firm/job. Personal statement like this is superlame, but when you use it to explain why you want the job and what you will bring to the company it isn't a bad idea to put it in, especially if a supporting letter isn't required.

And as people said,you need a list of your hard and soft skills that you posses (hard skill such as Java, food production, level of driving licence, and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, ability to lead, punctuality...)

For the gap...well you did travel right? That might form a part of it. See the world, gain new experiences and get charged for a hard working career is something employers should accept from a young person.

My goal is to finish uni, and jump into poker fulltime and take several hours volunteering per week - I will help the local community and keep contact with people, but also fill the gap on my CV and keep my people handling skills up to date, you might think about this if you jump back into poker.