We all know that job interviews can be a nightmare. Proving that you are the best candidate and have all the right attributes seems simple until you find yourself in that room, facing the interviewer (or, if you’re really unlucky, the panel of interviewers). It doesn’t matter how well suited to the job you are, because to get through the interview you realise that you need a whole different set of skills. You need to be able to judge the interviewer’s intentions quickly and accurately, understand what they are expecting you to say and give them what they want, remaining calm and collected the whole time.
All of this would sound familiar to poker players – anyone who has ever won money at the poker table or online sites like Betfair Poker has succeeded because they have employed exactly the same skills playing the game as you’d need to get through a tricky interview. A skilful poker player keeps their cards close to their chest, lets others see only what they want them to, and keeps unnecessary information hidden behind an unfaltering ‘poker face’ mask. This ability to judge exactly the right amount of information is required at any given point is invaluable in interviews. To give the best answers to whatever questions they might throw your way you have to be able to tell exactly what the interviewer is looking for and convince them that compared to the other candidates you have the best hand. You often find you have to bluff a bit too, as where you may have a basic skill there’s no harm in embellishing it a little at interview and presenting yourself in the best possible light.
When it comes down to it, it’s all about confidence – it’s one thing to know that you would be the perfect candidate for the job but when it comes to proving it, it’s often easier said than done. Playing poker might not magically elevate you to the most confident person in the world, but a few wins on PKR Poker and an awareness of the similar skills required could give you the little boost you need. Joining an online poker room can be great fun too, and it needn’t cost the earth as you can bet as much or as little as you want, and there are some great rakeback deals to ensure you’re not paying too much to play.
Sat, Jul 18, 2009
Careers Employment