Can Bad Credit Keep Me from Being Hired?

Posted: Aug 19, 2009 | Views: 1,044 |

According to a recent survey by VISA, 80 of Americans did not know that bad credit can affect their chances of getting a job. What many people do not realize until they experience it firsthand is that employers have the right to refuse to hire job applicants because of their credit histories.

Employers who investigate your credit reports as a part of the employment process argue that your credit history is a good predictor of your judgment, character, work performance, and reliability as an employee. Some consumer advocates argue against this and feel the practice is an unfair method of discriminating against job applicants. Regardless of which side of the story you agree with, the fact remains that the information contained in your credit reports could have bearing on your being hired for a new job.

Tory Johnson of Good Morning America recently authored the article How Bad Credit Can Affect Job Prospects in which there are a number of good tips to keep in mind when applying for a new job. First among these is finding out if the employer will be requesting a copy of your credit reports. Prospective employers are required by law to get your permission before conducting a credit check so look through the fine print of any employment application. Is it usually in the fine print where you lend your consent upon signing the application.


If you have great credit, you probably won't have anything to worry about. If, however, your credit reports show difficulties making payments on time or other credit problems, you may need to take steps to minimize their impact. Of course, if you don't know what is on your credit reports, make sure you order a copy of your reports before starting the job search. You can order your reports free of charge at www.annualcreditreport.com.

If your credit score is sub-par because of credit reporting errors or other questionable negative items in your credit reports, work to get these items corrected or removed. Even if you do not have time to address these listings before applying for a job, it is still in your best interest to dispute these items for the future. But for the time being, you will have to try to help a prospective employer see past your bad credit.

If you know an employer is going to perform a credit check, consider coming clean immediately instead of trying to perform damage control after they have seen your credit reports. Many people with bad credit have perfectly reasonable circumstances in their past such as unexpected unemployment, divorce, or medical issues that can significantly impact their credit rating. After explaining your situation confidently and truthfully, you may find that employers will be sympathetic to your troubles.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 3 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/can-bad-credit-keep-me-from-being-hired-1140796.html

    Article Tags:

    bad credit

    ,

    employment

    ,

    jobs

    ,

    credit repair

    Although the repayment mode is predetermined, many a times there may be a default in making the payment due to various reasons. Credit score is a 3 digit numerical figure that reflects your creditworthiness.

    By: Charles Watermanl Home and Family> Petsl Mar 12, 2011

    Credit bureaus came in picture to provide lending to customers and businesses and also provide a tool to creditors by which they can analyze trustworthiness of loan requester. Today in America there are three major credit bureau or credit reference agencies, namely “Trans Union “, “Equifax”, and “Experian”.

    By: SANJAY KAKl Finance> Creditl Nov 26, 2009

    The information on your credit report is extremely important. Most Americans are unaware of everything that's included, besides the regular credit history

    By: Rose Grahaml Finance> Creditl Sep 02, 2010

    Repair Bad Credit from your credit report is something that can decide whether you will get credit further or not. Accurise.com is one company that provides all the services in this regard. They have expertise in taking care of all the issues concerned with credit reports.

    By: accurise creditl Business> Business Opportunitiesl Feb 10, 2011

    You see the advertisements in newspapers, on TV, and on the Internet. You hear them on the radio. You get fliers in the mail. You may even get calls from telemarketers offering credit repair services. They all make the same claims:

    By: Jeffrey Seymourl Financel Aug 11, 2010

    Thinking about hiring a credit repair company to help you fix your bad credit? Learn the truth about them and realize what you could be getting yourself into before you get started.

    By: Malik Watsonl Finance> Creditl Mar 02, 2010

    Teaching English abroad in Vietnam is a unique experience for anyone who seeks to explore a beautiful country with a rich heritage. You may find people who say that it is not difficult to find jobs in Saigon, but the converse is true. It depends on where and how you conduct your search.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 25, 2012

    Thailand is a beautiful country with an expanding opportunity to teachers seeking opportunities to travel and teach. The steady demand for native English speakers means that any confident applicant with basic teaching skills can secure employment without difficulties.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    Doctor jobs are growing in demand. Canadian research discovered that over four million Canadians lack a family physician Because four million Canadians don't have a family physician, the need for physicians is enormous Provinces throughout Canada are desperate to fill these vacancies.

    By: jaretcxlhal Careersl May 24, 2012

    Although Singapore is an island nation, it has grown to become a modern and efficient first world model country in Asia too. The infrastructure is remarkable and education sector largely successful.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    Malaysia is a beautiful country with a thriving tourism industry. Like other emerging countries in Asia, the education sector spurs the knowledge-based economy. The education reforms have been instrumental in producing a quality workforce that satisfies the professional demands of various industries.

    By: John Thomsonl Careersl May 24, 2012

    With so many new and inexperienced credit repair organizations coming onto the scene, many of which are simply turnkey credit repair businesses using a third party software solution as the backbone of their product, it becomes a challenge to know which services can be trusted with your credit reports. Here are three suggestions for identifying a reputable credit repair company.

    By: Stuart Hunterl Finance> Creditl Jan 28, 2010

    Considering how your credit factors factors in successfully accomplishing so many New Year's resolutions, it makes sense to address this one factor before moving to other goals. Then, if you are able increase your credit score, you will already have a head start on accomplishing New Year's resolutions this year and in the years to come.

    By: Stuart Hunterl Finance> Creditl Dec 14, 2009

    The Credit Repair Organizations Act has established rules credit repair companies must adhere to that you can use to help identify a trustworthy credit repair service and avoid becoming a victim of a credit repair scam.

    By: Stuart Hunterl Finance> Creditl Nov 23, 2009

    You have the ability to add a one hundred word statement to your credit reports in order to explain your side of the story behind negative listings. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that this statement will have any effect on lenders and there is no chance that it will improve your credit score.

    By: Stuart Hunterl Finance> Creditl Nov 06, 2009

    With today's tight lending requirements, it isn't good enough to have an average credit score when looking to get approved for the best rates and terms on loans. These days, a sub-700 credit score is no longer considered to be good leaving many people faced with having to repair their credit in order get the financing they are hoping for.

    By: Stuart Hunterl Finance> Creditl Sep 04, 2009
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast