When filling out your next job application, it might be wise to leave your level 80 Shaman off of your list of accomplishments, as some job recruiters are being told to avoid WoW players.

Forum poster Tale over on the f13 forums relates an experience with a recruiter in the online media industry, who reacted negatively to his conversational admission that he had spent too much time playing MMORPG games.

He replied that employers specifically instruct him not to send them World of Warcraft players. He said there is a belief that WoW players cannot give 100% because their focus is elsewhere, their sleeping patterns are often not great, etc. I mentioned that some people have written about MMOG leadership experience as a career positive or a way to learn project management skills, and he shook his head. He has been specifically asked to avoid WoW players.

Having been a major MMO player for the better part of the past 8 years, I can't help but agree with the prospective employers' concerns. I myself had a job I was frequently late for due to me spending all night playing the original Everquest, eventually quitting the job rather than show up late for the umpteenth time in a row.

Of course there are folks who can play MMORPG games in moderation, so we can't lump them all into a general category. Still, it's probably best if you left your MMO experience out of the job interview. Sure, it's a major thing in your life, but it shouldn't have bearing on your work performance...unless of course your work leaves you alone for long periods of time with a networked gaming PC. *whistles innocently*