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Credit and Hiring: Can Bad Credit Effect Whether You Get That New Job Or Not?



The importance of having a good credit history is often emphasized.Some people reason out that they really don’t care much about their credit history because they’re not applying for credit anyway.However, your credit history isn’t just for getting approved for loans or credit cards.It isn’t just about getting lower interest rates and more credit privileges.Your credit history also plays an important role in how employers judge you and ultimately, in getting the job that you want.

Yes, this is one of the reasons why students are encouraged to establish their credit history early and keep it in good standing.Thus, by the time they graduate and enter the corporate world, they will not have difficult time getting hired just because they have a bad credit history.

The truth is, more and more employers use one’s credit report to check on one’s background and credibility. When making judgment calls on a person’s attitude and sense of responsibility, the status of one’s credit report seems to be the more accurate basis.If you think this only applies to the executive level, you may be surprised to learn that even regular jobs now require good credit.

According to a survey done by Harris Interactive for Spherion Corporation- a leading recruiting and staffing company, employers who screen employees based on their credit has increased by 55% in 2006 than six years ago. Employers use credit reports as a more reliable source of one’s personal information. Nevertheless, a bad credit score may create a negative impression to a prospective employer.

Put yourself in your employer’s shoes. Would you likely hire an applicant with a credit history that is filled with records of charge offs and unpaid past due bills. If other applicants with the same range of qualifications present a more impressive credit report, wouldn’t you be more inclined to hire someone with excellent credit? Wouldn’t a credit report reflect an applicant’s ability to handle responsibilities well?

If you’re really serious about getting hired, you should strive to make the best impression. You want to get an edge over your fellow applicants in every way possible. You don’t want your credit report to be the only factor to stop you from getting hired, especially if you possess the right skills and competence for the job.

Although the Federal Law prohibits an employer from refusing an applicant solely on the basis of their credit, you can’t deny the fact that your credit rating can affect the decision of an employer on whether to hire you or not.Therefore, the best thing to do is to keep your credit history in a good standing not only to avoid employment problems but also to prepare you by the time you’ll need to apply for a car loan or a mortgage.

4 Comment(s)

  1. I think that it is improper for prospective employers to run credit checks on employees. I understand running criminal checks to see if an employee has a criminal records. But in my opinion, they don’t have the right to dig into my personal finance.

    I think the reason why we all go to work is to be able to pay bills like a responsible person. So companies should understand and give people with bad credit a chance and hire people on their experiences and capabilities not how much in their pockets.

    Shiela | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

  2. I agree with Shiela

    A bad credit history can have many reasons. Family emergencies that incurred debt, selling a house with a loss or a more current problem: job loss. All are possible contributing factors of one’s ability to repay debt. A lack of ability is not the same as lack of responsibility. Some people are out there racking up credit cards knowing darn well they have no intentions to pay back. But there are others that rely on using credit cards and loans to secure survival. The problem though is, that both groups will become diliquint with their credit accounts and are being categorized with the same negative credit rating. Now, does that seem fair? Should a bad credit history keep me from getting the job I am qualified for? My answer is NO. My job skills have nothing to do with my personal financial situation. As long as the credit reports fail to differentiate between the two groups of dilinquints, I believe a job offer should not be hinged on a credit report.

    Marc | Jan 31, 2009 | Reply

  3. I think it’s absolute RUBBISH that my personal credit has any bearing on my work performance or whether or not someone is responsible. That is laughable. Actually, it may ENHANCE my determination to do my duties so I CAN PAY OFF MY DEBTS. What is determines is that either a) I come from a rich family and they help take care of the bills when you need them to (I have a number of friends who fall in this category) b) I have never been laid off from a job and had to go on EI so my bills got behind. Credit has nothing to with my ability to perform my duties at work whatsoever.

    Trent | Feb 5, 2009 | Reply

  4. EXACTLY!!! It so depressing and frustrating the idea that an applicant has been denied because he/she has a bad credit. Why don’t companies try to look into the applicants capabilities, intelligence to show and serve the company. It is so unfair if they base it with his bad credit.

    Tina | May 14, 2009 | Reply

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