Career Clinic: Will employers hire smokers these days?

Whilst firms are keen to show they have staff welfare at heart I don't think they'll refuse people on the grounds of being smokers. They have a hard enough struggle as it is to recruit good people, I don't think they could afford to be that choosy! And there would be implications for the firm's existing staff (and partners) too. So provided you're not going to turn up at interview stinking like an ashtray I wouldn't worry!

Recruitment Cons -07 Jun 2007 | 16:37

If asked specifically at interview, you know to answer truthfully. Otherwise, you might stay silent on the subject? If asked in connection with a medical, you would be mad not to answer truthfully - things like life cover and pension rights under your new employer's scheme could all be jeopardised, as you should know because you would be in breach of the duty of utmost good faith to the insurers. Finally, you think smoking does not affect your work but I think it will. If you are a heavy smoler, how often do you need to nip out during the day for a puff? Think of all that chargeable time going up in smoke. Look, smoking should not be an issue but you'll be daft not to come clean if the subject was raised, couldn't you work that out?

May -07 Jun 2007 | 16:40

I'm not so sure. I saw some research recently that found a majority of employers would discriminate against recruiting a smoker when they have two candidates who are otherwise equal. It's the way the world is going. You do also increasingly get law firms asking health-related questions. Hey, if they want to work you to the bone, are they really going to like the idea of you nipping out for 10 minutes four times a day?

Anonymous -07 Jun 2007 | 16:52

I work for a major UK firm as well and my advice to you is: don't say a word! Don't worry about the billable hours either, if you need a smoke to perform your best, go for it! People will accept as long as you make sure your work is done perfectly. The best advice I can give you is not to talk about smoking that much. Keep it quiet, that's the best way!

Anonymous -07 Jun 2007 | 23:25

Smoking is anti-social, unhealthy and a waste of money. Why don't you do what it takes to stop - or at least cut down? Non-smokers can smell a smoker a long way off and it is really horrible - it will be noticed in an interview, even if you think you've used enough breath spray and after shave/perfume to cover it. Try hypnotherapy, anything - but stop!

Helen, regional firm -08 Jun 2007 | 10:35

If you want to get away with it, think one thing... CIGARS! Try let anything or anyone stop you then.

Ashurst Philip Morris -08 Jun 2007 | 16:13

Autre temps, autre moeurs. When I was interviewing for an insolvency job with one of the larger Leeds firms in 1993, I was asked at the end of the interview (I kid you not) whether or not I ate meat, smoked and drank. I asked why the question was asked and was told that it was difficult to work in the field in that part of the world if I was a non-smoking, teetotal veggie. Daft as it may sound, smoking would have been an advantage at that stage... but now? I didn't take the job.

Anonymous -08 Jun 2007 | 16:55

Read Allen Carr's Only Way to Stop Smoking Permanently. Read it even if you don't want to stop. If you like smoking and think its a great pleasure, then surely a book wont stop you. Seriously, read it, then see how you feel about smoking.

Anonymous -08 Jun 2007 | 17:00

You think that smoking doesn't affect your ability to the job? Smoking causes increased irritability, poor concentration, and an inability to focus on a task until you get your fix. Why? Becasue you are addicted to nicotine. It's not a habit; how can it be if you "need" to smoke several times during the day everyday? Its an addiction to a substance. Your body has become dependant on a drug.

Anonymous -08 Jun 2007 | 17:10

In an interview situation, it is good to demonstrate your ability to follow a task through to completion. Use your nouse, apply some spin to the situation. The fact that you are still smoking demonstrates you are not a quitter. No one likes a quitter.

Harold Parthers, MSG -08 Jun 2007 | 17:14

The comment about adding "spin" to the fact that you are a smoker to show you are not a "quitter" is the most idiotic thing to say. Do you really think a law firm is interested in hiring someone who is so stubborn as to continue doing something so harmful in the face of so much evidence that the right thing to do is to the contrary? Your recruitment potential has everything to do with business acumen and reacting to commercial situations - it's not about who's a "quitter" or not.

Anonymous -12 Jun 2007 | 21:23

Ermm..the poster of 12 June above appears to have suffered a serious sense of humour bypass! Clearly been in the law too long..

Assistant, Bristol -14 Jun 2007 | 16:37