Many job seekers fear not only the background checks but also the credit checks that many companies conduct as part of the hiring process. While some of you may think that these checks are unfair, sometimes they are simply unavoidable.
The good news is that having bad credit will automatically not prevent you from getting a job. Telling the truth and being prepared to explain your financial setbacks to your prospective employer can even make you stand out among a sea of applicants. If you are on a job search with bad credit, here are some helpful tips that can help you get hired.
• Conduct a credit check- Many employers and companies check their job applicants' credit reports, especially if the positions being applied to are ones that involve handling huge amounts of money or having access to databases as well as sensitive and confidential information about the company and employees. If you are applying to a job in an industry where you don't have to handle money or deal with databases yet the employer still asks for a credit check, this is likely due to the fact that your credit history provides employers a glimpse into your character and how you handles certain responsibilities. An applicant whose credit report contains a lot of missed payments and delinquencies may be deemed someone who is irresponsible, negligent, and lacking integrity. This is why it is a good idea for you to get your credit reports and read through them before your future employer sees them. By doing so, you will be more informed about what your employer will see in your credit history.
• Bring the issues up first- Employers usually conduct a credit check after your first interview or when they finally offer you the job. Regardless of when they choose to check your credit, however, it is important that you bring up financial issues first-as well as other issues that go beyond credit checks. Doing so will give employers the impression that you have the integrity to own up to what you did in the past, and it will also point positively to your honesty, which is one of the most important attributes an employee can have.
• Let your employer know what you are doing about your credit- Now that your employer knows your true financial situation, it is best to let him or her know that you are taking the necessary steps to fix your situation-from slowly paying down your debts to making your monthly mortgage payments. You can even get your credit reports and bring them to your prospective employer to prove that you aren't hiding anything. Showing your employer that you are taking the steps to fix your financial mistakes will prove that you are well on your way to recovering from your financial setbacks.
• Be prepared to explain- Sometimes your bad credit is due to circumstances that were beyond your control. If, for example, you lost your previous job because you got ill and had to stay at the hospital, and losing your job resulted in your being unable to pay your hospital bills, your future employer may sympathize with your situation and overlook your bad credit history.
• Prescreen the job position as well as the company- A good way to raise your chances of getting hired is to apply to companies that do not conduct credit checks as part of their hiring process. If the job needs you to have security clearance, the company is working with the government, or you are applying for a management position or higher, you should expect that a credit check will be performed on you.
• Apply to small companies- This is another way to secure your chances of getting hired. You can apply to small companies with only a few employees as they are less likely to conduct credit checks due to lack of time and resources.
• Use connections- If you have connections, why not use them? If you have a good relationship with a prospective employer, he or she may be less likely to require you to have a good credit history to get the job you want. You should also consider getting recommendations from friends, professors, and other employers.
• Convince your future employer that you are the best candidate for the job- Before you walk into the interview, be prepared to convince your potential employer that you are the perfect candidate for the job. If you are able to convince and prove to your employer that you will be an asset to the company, he or she may be more understanding of your financial issues and give you a chance.
• Apply for the job- Do not avoid applying for jobs with companies that require credit checks. Take the risk and apply for the job because there is really nothing to lose. While some companies reject applicants with bad credit right away, you may come across some that are more tolerant of your financial issues and are willing to give you a chance to explain and prove to them that you are going to be the best at your job.
Do not let your bad credit get in the way of finding employment. While on the search, make sure that you are working on improving your credit so you can prove to future employers that you are taking the necessary steps to clear your financial issues. Keep in mind that not all future employers think alike. While some may shun you right away, there will be others who will give you a chance to explain and prove that you have fully recovered from your financial setbacks and are the perfect candidate for the job.