Job Seeking with Poor Credit

Employment Background Checks

After September 11th, the U.S. government began urging many employers to do solid background checks on new hires. These background checks allow employers to look at a person's criminal history and employment history, as well as their credit report information. Employers can view recent bankruptcies, tax liens, and look at your property ownership to verify you are a responsible individual.

For more than 100 years, Equifax has been a leader in credit reporting. Thousands of businesses trust in Equifax to deliver credit reports and help prevent fraud. If businesses are turning to Equifax, shouldn't that be the company from whom you request your credit report?

How Employers Use Credit Reports

There are three major credit reporting firms-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Laws have changed allowing you to request your credit report once every year. It is essential that you do this and make sure there are no errors or unknown accounts on your report. Employers are allowed to look at the past seven years.

Within your credit report are a number of items. Employers will look most closely at your work history, current address and how long you've lived there. Bouncing from town to town or jumping from one job to another multiple times per year can signify the dreaded "job hopper." Employers looking for steady workers are going to think twice.

Jobs in banks or other financial institutions often require a closer look at your loan history. Late payments or defaulted loans can cause employers to question an applicant's reliability. It doesn't mean you are automatically dropped from their potential hire lists, but you may need to be prepared to answer some tough questions.

Monitoring and Viewing your Credit Report

If you are looking for a job, it is critical that you know what is in your credit report. If there are errors, you need to have them fixed immediately. A lousy credit report could cost you the job of your dreams. Most employers look at your credit report only for your work history, but in jobs where you may be handling a lot of money, they may take a closer look at your financial responsibility.

You are entitled to one free credit report per year. Equifax delivers the credit report instantly in a secure online page. Look it over carefully for accounts that do not belong to you. It is very common for ex-spouses' accounts to be listed as your own, and the same happens when you have a person with the same name living near you. If you find errors, Equifax works with you to get them corrected. Experian and TransUnion also offer you the ability to receive a free credit report from them as well if you choose to use one of their services.

Fraud Protection

Once you have your credit report and know the information is correct, all 3 reporting services offer numerous services that can help raise your credit score and prevent identity theft from ever happening. For example, Equifax Credit Watch Gold keeps you informed of changes to your credit report with any of the three credit report agencies. In addition, it allows you to access your credit report as many times as you would like throughout the year. Equifax Credit Watch Gold is a must for those who feel their personal information may be at risk due to divorce or theft.

Now that you understand how to improve your credit report, you are ready to go land your dream job. Don't forget to bring business cards with you. Having your contact information on hand without shuffling through dozens of applications or resumes will impress even the toughest interviewer. A business card gains attention, and the confidence it displays will help you land the job. Please be sure to check out our article, "Job Hunting and Hiring Tips" for more information about the proper use of business cards during job interviews.