Would you put day trading on your resume?

[jacknapier]

Assuming you are not applying for something that is related to speculating, just for the purposes of saying you were doing something other than dog walking to explain a gap in your employment history.

I can come up with something fancy that sounds more grandiose than it really is, it's just I'm wondering if anyone thinks that many human resource departments could see through the bs? Usually, anytime I tell someone I dabble in day trading I either get the, "Wow! You must be filthy stinkin rich!" or "WTF? That's gambling!" responses. Sometimes I do get someone who has a clue and actually likes to talk about trading in a realistic manner, but mostly people have no idea what is involved.

 

[donaldduke]

How long is the gap?

 

[jacknapier]

1 year.

 

[phoenix25140]

Did you profit Jack ? I guess you could include things youve learnt within an interview discussion.

 

[The Leopard]

Because of people's attitudes, day trading is the kind of thing that is only justified by success. Since you're now applying for a job, I take it that you were not especially successful?

In which case, I would put anything other than "had a shot at trading for a year". Anything at all.

Off the top of my head, put that you spent the year at your computer masturbating and eating crisps (it is probably partially true anyway).

 

[DionysusToast]

Off the top of my head, put that you spent the year at your computer masturbating and eating crisps (it is probably partially true anyway).

That's not very nice.

You shouldn't go around accusing people of eating crisps.

 

[Big Stones]

A man goes to the doctors
"What's the problem?" asks the doctor.
"Well" says the guy, its my pecker doctor it's orange!!"
"I better have a look" says the doctor.
There it was bright orange, "blimey I've never seen anything like it" says the doctor.
"What kind of work do you do," asks the doctor.
"I don't work," replies the guy.
"What no work of any kind," asks the doctor.
"No nothing," replies the guy.
"What do you do all day," asks the doctor.
"I sit a home watching porn and eating Wotsits."

Gaps get filled one way or another, just 'Walt it up' and say you were knocking out goods on ebay whilst nursing an old ladies/helping the homeless/saving whales.

 

[jacknapier]

day trading is the kind of thing that is only justified by success

Yea, because why would I need a job if I made millions in the market? But if I failed then I must be an incompetent boob. Of course, by that logic most everyone who trades is an incompetent boob for at least a solid percentage of the time.

 

[NVP]

Assuming you are not applying for something that is related to speculating, just for the purposes of saying you were doing something other than dog walking to explain a gap in your employment history.

I can come up with something fancy that sounds more grandiose than it really is, it's just I'm wondering if anyone thinks that many human resource departments could see through the bs? Usually, anytime I tell someone I dabble in day trading I either get the, "Wow! You must be filthy stinkin rich!" or "WTF? That's gambling!" responses. Sometimes I do get someone who has a clue and actually likes to talk about trading in a realistic manner, but mostly people have no idea what is involved.

oh dear ......oh dear.....

 

[neil]

Assuming you are not applying for something that is related to speculating, just for the purposes of saying you were doing something other than dog walking to explain a gap in your employment history.

I can come up with something fancy that sounds more grandiose than it really is, it's just I'm wondering if anyone thinks that many human resource departments could see through the bs? Usually, anytime I tell someone I dabble in day trading I either get the, "Wow! You must be filthy stinkin rich!" or "WTF? That's gambling!" responses. Sometimes I do get someone who has a clue and actually likes to talk about trading in a realistic manner, but mostly people have no idea what is involved.

Just say you worked here - honest labour

ding fries are done - YouTube

 

[Big Stones]

WHEN I blow up remind me never to ask for cv/career advice here:cheesy::whistling

 

[chinabean]

When you say day trading, are you talking about personal account (home-based) trading or intraday prop shop trading?

If the latter, yeah it doesn't matter, there are loads of bods that don't cut it first time and still go on to become great traders.

If the former and applying for a finance-related job, I'd probably lie but tell the truth! eg volunteering whilst also personal account trading to keep in touch with markets.

If the former and applying non-finance jobs, lie eg travelling, volunteering bla bla bla

If the former and applying for an "adult" entertainment job, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. day-trading whilst watching porn and eating (cheesy) wotsits......they'll think you like a thrill, have some stamina (1 year is a long time!) and are most probably a freak = ideal profile

 

[fibo777]

I have put it on a number of occasions and it was ok. Nobody asked me any questions about it though. Most probably do not understand what it is. I personally think it would give you an extra plus. People may assume you understand financial markets. So, go ahead and do it.

 

[The Leopard]

Yea, because why would I need a job if I made millions in the market? But if I failed then I must be an incompetent boob. Of course, by that logic most everyone who trades is an incompetent boob for at least a solid percentage of the time.

Don't be a p1ssy bitch. Below is what I actually wrote - you'll notice the "Because of people's attitudes" part that you left off the segment you quoted. This is important.

Because of people's attitudes, day trading is the kind of thing that is only justified by success. Since you're now applying for a job, I take it that you were not especially successful?

In which case, I would put anything other than "had a shot at trading for a year". Anything at all.

Off the top of my head, put that you spent the year at your computer masturbating and eating crisps (it is probably partially true anyway).

There is nothing wrong with having other income or employment - it does not mean you are incompetent. I am currently involved in setting up a new venture that I will likely work at during the mornings. The US opens at 2:30 pm, so why not?

What I mean is that people in general look askance at trading. They do not like the idea that someone could do it. They imagine that there is some secret (which they resent) or that it is simply gambling. Even successful people can be quite envious of trading success, because they do not understand what it entails, but will be aware that it will not entail many of the unpleasant things that advancement in most careers does.

Many people refuse to believe that it is even possible. So if you turn up after trading for a year wanting a job, a lot of people will see you as a foolish dreamer, someone who has failed and got their just deserts and so on.

People who do not do it generally have absolutely no concept of what it really is, and they are ruled by their absurd prejudices when considering it. Most of the time it is better not to mention it.

Unless of course, you are very successful at it. In which case who gives a f*** what people think, employers included?

 

[R.Charnock]

Pity we can't ask Nick Leeson.

 

[NVP]

Just say you worked here - honest labour

ding fries are done - YouTube

any vacancies there Neil ....?

 

[jacknapier]

Don't be a p1ssy bitch.

Hm... I didn't really mean to come off that way. I was sort of just adding to or rewriting in my own words what you said. Like, from a non-traders perspective I would be incompetent.

 

[The Leopard]

Hm... I didn't really mean to come off that way. I was sort of just adding to or rewriting in my own words what you said. Like, from a non-traders perspective I would be incompetent.

Oh, sorry. Maybe it's me that shouldn't be a p1ssy bitch then.

 

[FringFX]

Assuming you are not applying for something that is related to speculating, just for the purposes of saying you were doing something other than dog walking to explain a gap in your employment history.

I can come up with something fancy that sounds more grandiose than it really is, it's just I'm wondering if anyone thinks that many human resource departments could see through the bs? Usually, anytime I tell someone I dabble in day trading I either get the, "Wow! You must be filthy stinkin rich!" or "WTF? That's gambling!" responses. Sometimes I do get someone who has a clue and actually likes to talk about trading in a realistic manner, but mostly people have no idea what is involved.

try not to put 'day trading'.... instead, put something like Market Analyst, or Technical Analyst (self employed)

then highlight the good attributes:
being independent
being analytical and able to multi-task/analyze many things simultaneously.

the key is to relate your trading experience and corresponding trading attributes to the job you are applying for.

 

[FringFX]

WHEN I blow up remind me never to ask for cv/career advice here:cheesy::whistling

LOL... definitely not a good idea.
most traders are introverts and lack the necessary people skills to offer good non-trading advice. :cheesy: