Smoking Hookah And Job Interviews

[Big Boss]

Lets say that you're in a job interview, and your perspective boss asks you if you have any hobbies. Would you tell him that you smoke hookah or would you not mention it?

[r1v3th3ad]

depends on the job....regular "get through college" job, yes...my lifetime career, I'd eventually ease my way into it, but not initially...maybe bring it to the first company event

[fifthmanstanding]

not at all. I wouldn't want to let the possible (though maybe innocent) ignorance of another individual threaten my chances for anything positive. Whether it's a schmuck job or a real career type of thing. Just my take on it.

I mean maybe if you became like 'beer buddies' with the guy, yeah ok then, but on a professional level, if that's all it is, no.

[bobosap]

i wouldnt bring it up at an interview, but after you get hired i wouldnt worry about it

[Johnny_D]

Avoid it like the bloody plague.

1. You have no idea who is interviewing you. They may have very strong anti smoking opinions, they may associate hookah with religious activities and have strong anti-muslim/jewish opinions. YOU DO NOT KNOW THEM.

2. Smoking is not healthy, This may indicate to the interviewer that you have an unhealthy attitude.

3. IGNORANCE. They could well associate you with being an NHT Head.

and they are just three that I can think of over breakfast.

One golden rule during interview is to avoid discussing anything that could be contentious. This would apply to hookah.

JD

[esheg4ever23]

Avoid it like the bloody plague.

1. You have no idea who is interviewing you. They may have very strong anti smoking opinions, they may associate hookah with religious activities and have strong anti-muslim/jewish opinions. YOU DO NOT KNOW THEM.

2. Smoking is not healthy, This may indicate to the interviewer that you have an unhealthy attitude.

3. IGNORANCE. They could well associate you with being an NHT Head.

and they are just three that I can think of over breakfast.

One golden rule during interview is to avoid discussing anything that could be contentious. This would apply to hookah.

JD

+1

[habib]

Dude id ask if i could light up in the interview!! hehe

[jezter6]

There's no reason I could see to ever bring hookah up in an interview. Hobbies are things you do on the side - like brewing beer or making birdhouses or watching trains. Hookah is not a hobby, it (like cigs, cigars, etc) are just something you do as part of your lifestyle. I like to drink Microbrews and taste hundreds of beers from around the world, but I don't run around announcing that I sit around and drink a shit ton of beer all night.

[hookah hippie]

I would definitly not mention it at all unless of course you happen to be trying to get a job at a hookah bar or similar establishment

[Codename067]

Hell no.

Never.

Unless they smoke as well.

[Nutshell]

Only if the interview is for a smoke shop or hookah bar.

[nestormakhno]

Johnny D put it best, but I would like to add the following: in job interviews (unless it's for a hookah bar, as someone mentioned), your hobbies are supposed to be wholesome. They ask you questions about leadership and how you handle professional situations. Even if it's some shit "get-through-college" job, it's best to be on the safe side and say that you enjoy reading, photography, spending time with your family, or - the best possible option - playing team sports. For most people, especially in places where hookah bars are uncommon, smoking hookah is akin to getting fucked up on the weekends. I doubt you would say that you're the beer pong champion among your friends, or that you can do twelve shots in a row without dying, and your hobby is practicing to advance yourself to thirteen.

Also, I've always been of the opinion that you should keep your personal life and your work life separate. If you happen to meet coworkers who share your interests and you guys end up hanging out, great. But I would be cautious doing even that, unless you REALLY know the person, because you chance setting yourself up for sabotage: what if your new buddy shows up to the office Monday morning and says that you're some kind of alcoholic hedonist who seriously lacks moral fiber, to the boss? Those kinds of impressions are lasting and can be harmful to your employment prospects. They can't exactly fire you for what you do after work, but they can - and will - try to squeeze you out if they think you don't fit the company image.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I think a person should always stick to stating that his hobby is to volunteer at the homeless shelter on the weekends or to play after-school basketball with underprivileged kids.

[Majid]

Given my name and the way i look, only thing worse than telling them i smoke hookah is telling them about the flying carpet i have behind my camel in the garage. But yeah, wouldn't say anything because too many people asociate it with NHT.

[Codename067]

Only if the interview is for a smoke shop or hookah bar.

lolollll There goes a duh hahaha

[oriteku]

I dunno guys, I mentioned it at my first real job interview and the old guy interviewing me turned out to be a hookah customer of mine. Got right through that interview

The job I currently have I talked alot about it during my interview and turns out half the company smokes hookah. I have since been the hit of company events since I always bring along my bambino.

So goes to show it could swing either way. I'm not ashamed of my hobby nor am I afraid to educate the ignorant.

Cheers to each their own!

[Big Boss]

I dunno guys, I mentioned it at my first real job interview and the old guy interviewing me turned out to be a hookah customer of mine. Got right through that interview

The job I currently have I talked alot about it during my interview and turns out half the company smokes hookah. I have since been the hit of company events since I always bring along my bambino.

So goes to show it could swing either way. I'm not ashamed of my hobby nor am I afraid to educate the ignorant.

Cheers to each their own!

Where do you work?

[thugacation]

not bring it up in the job interview
maybe mention it after if i have a decent relationship with that person