Hi everyone,Quick interview/general professional life question.I enjoy trading futures in my spare time. At interviews and/or when talking with clients, is this an area to avoid mentioning as a hobbie due to the negative impression some people have of it or will it be regarded as a legitimate and interesting hobby?Feel free to be as cynical as you like!

Well we dont know who you are going to communicate this to in person. (Dont say!)I'd look for a clear contrast in your own mind between gambling as an enjoyable hobby, and trading say financial futures for a commercial and profit motivated purpose. Its fairly normal to show a real interest in a career path, and neither activity need lack legitimacy in the UK. New entrants often use the hobby section like this.Personally I reckon that blurring the old ethical divides between gambling and trading makes it more necessary to communicate this quite clearly though. People might not care themselves, but gambling and trading are not really the same. I'd suggest that there are significant contrasts.The context is usually very different, so if it was put forward clearly I'd see it as a small plus or a possible talking point. Others might be more cynical.

I would add this note of caution: depending on where you are proposing to work, there may be occasions where your hobby and the privileged information you gain through your job are mutually exclusive from a legal or ethical perspective.This may even be a cause for a potential employer to shy away from you as a staff candidate. Reputational risk.

Jut out of curiosity, can i ask what futures you are trading?

It's simply a matter of how you phrase it -I like to trade futures in my spare time translation : I'm a reckless chancer who dabbles in dodgy deals on the internet and am probably bankrupt.I am interested in the dynamics and management of risk in derivative markets as I find it gives me valuable clues on problem solving under conditions of uncertainty.Translation - I am an intellectual who likes to take on tough problems and think deeply about them.