Do you admit to being a gamer?

[sircaren]

I never knew mentioning that I put it on my resume as a hobby would cause so much controversy. In the computer industry (at leas the inverviews I've been in), a big topic is always stress relief. With the high turnover rate in my field, often due to stress, they always want to know how you deal with it; so I just started putting it on my resume. Considering I've never been turned down for a job I've applied for, I guess it's a good thing.

 

[arwink]

I'm doing my thesis on gaming, so I figure it's going to be a part of job interviews for a long time to come once I'm done.

That being said, it's always been there on my resumes but I've never really made a big deal about being a gamer in the workplace. I tell people where I'm going and who I'm seeing on my weekend, but I rarely volunteered "DnD" unless someone specifically asked what we were doing.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I would never mention gaming on a resume unless it was for the gaming industry. However I do not hide the fact I am a gamer. Although everyone at my current place of work mocks me for the fact I game. Fortunatly I work third shift now and don't have to deal with them much. One of them went so far as to search google using my name and came up with an old website I registered on looking for games and posted it in his cubical. He was looking to get a rise out of me. I totally ignored it and eventually he took it down.

 

[FungiMuncher]

I've been a teacher at a middle school for about six years now. I've been quiet about my hobbies for most of that time. The conversations during lunch were rather low interest for me - most of the other teachers talking about their new babies, home improvements, retirement investments, or whatever.

Well, this past year, someone commented about me being so quiet during lunch, and I made a joke about nobody being interested in science fiction or geeky games. That broke the ice somewhat. No, there aren't any other gamers on staff, but I did find a few who are "sympathetic." One of the science teachers is really into the LOTR movies, and it's been a blast talking to him about them. And, our female phys ed teacher's husband is a computer gamer. She totally understands why I bow out of some of their weekend get togethers - because I have my steady gaming group.

The most interest I get are from some of the kids. In fact, I'm going to try to start a new activity club around games this coming school year. I doubt RPGs will fly, but board games should work out well. Right now, I'm trying to prepare my pitch to the administrators.

If it works out well, it should be decent resume fodder.

FM

 

[Seonaid]

Then I showed it to my (gamer) wife, who pointed out that simply saying "Gaming" as a hobby would suggest gambling to most people, and changing it to "Role-playing games" would bring up visions of weird sexual kinks.

Since I'm just graduating from college, my resume has a list of activities, etc., and since I was secretary and then president of the gaming club here (one of the largest organizations on campus), I put that down. It's amazing how many people think "Gaming Association" means hunting. (I guess this *is* central Pennsylvania . . .) Then when I tell them, "No, like board games, and things," they just kind of look at me funny, like it wouldn't have occurred to them if I hadn't explained it, so I don't get into the RPG's . . . Of course, all my friends know, and I'm not at all reticent about it to complete strangers. I bring my PHB to class to finish up characters, etc.

So, basically what I'm trying to say is that I'll have it on my resume until I don't have room for it any more, and I don't mind the entire world knowing that I game.

 

[thatdarncat]

Not on a resume, but I did fill out an application with an interests/hobbies section recently:

Hobbies: Writing, programming & storytelling games
Interests: Publishing, network security & cats

I'm fairly open about gaming - I don't mind being seen as a geek (It is true after all). I'd say all my friends and family know I game, and with one or two minor exceptions it hasn't been an issue. I am careful when I first start a new job or some such, at least until I get the feel of my co-workers. The last thing you want is problems at your place of work

 

[Raevynn]

KidCthulhu, your a gamer???? I didn't... oh wait.. ya I did....


Want to talk about "gaming" confusion... try living in Las Vegas. I attened GAMA this year... people asked me if they where coming out with any new slot machines... And when you mention gaming it carries a WHOLE NEW set of connotations here...

So it was kinda funny when in an interview I was asked if I had any gaming experiance it kinda through me... my answer was no, but it did take me a second to consider an answer......

 

[Bagpuss]

Umbran is right (I was the resume writing guru for my IT company), you should not list hobbies on a resume. It's a waste of space and has nothing to do with whether or not they'll want to hire you.

Except the last place I worked in IT, more than half the staff in the department were RP-gamers.

 

[Gospog]

I actually just let the cat out of the bag here at work.

That is, I'm taking vacation days to attend GenCon, and a large group of Engineers wanted to know where I'm going and why.

I explained, and even had help from one of the younger engineers interjecting "You know, that D&D thing" for the benefit of one of the older.

The group concensus after my revalation?
"Oh. okay."

The older engineer then asked if I "dress up" because he had a friend who is (was?) a LARPer.

A few people in the company knew anyway, as some I told (most of these play computer games and such) and others had been to a large party at my house where they admired my shelves of RPG books and thousands of painted miniatures. Kind of hard to play that one down. And not as akward as one might think.

And with this swell economy we're experiencing, there's no need to worry about whether or not this will affect me getting a raise or a promotion.

(but it's not going on my resume, just the same)

 

[Iced Tea]

this is a topic that is talked about every so often. I dont hide my books when people come over, that or my magic cards either . and i will tell people that i play though it is a touchy topic. i think thanks to TV and Movies and every other thing that stereotypes the average gamer as a geek obsessed about their character. But I never really thought about listing it on an application or anythign like that mainly because i never really thought that it would help any. unless it is for a position as a gametester for a new rpg game.

as usual, my mispelled, uncomprehensible gibberrish.
Iced Tea