Hello,

27 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 21,2023 at 9:58PM UTC

   I feel that the credit check would be one piece of the hiring puzzle for the company. They could use it as another stone in the scale to decide whether to hire you or not. Normally, the company would email you questions if there are concerns. Just answer truthfully. Hope you land the job you want.

2. AnonymousAugust 21,2023 at 11:23PM UTC

   Thank you! I know everything else

   will check out (job history, no criminal history, etc.). Maybe if they see my credit isn’t stellar because I don’t have a history of credit.

3. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 12:43PM UTC

   they're looking more for delinquencies and bankruptcies. Lack of credit is not usually a red flag for hiring.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 21,2023 at 9:58PM UTC

   Are you sure the background check will be looking for a credit score? Unless you work in specific financial positions, they don't typically run a credit check.

5. AnonymousAugust 21,2023 at 11:21PM UTC

   Hi Joan. I looked over the paperwork and it does say a credit check, along with a background check. It isn’t for a financial company or position, so I’m hoping I will still get the job.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 22,2023 at 1:16AM UTC

   I don't think they're really looking for a high score so much as looking for bad credit. Crossing everything for you!

7. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 2:05AM UTC

   Thank you so much Joan!

8. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 12:33PM UTC

   Checking credit for a job should be illegal

9. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:31PM UTC

   If it's for a more general position, certainly. But if its for a position that has anything to do with accounting, finance, that sort of thing? More companies should utilize a credit check.

10. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 11:09PM UTC

    i disagree. People fall on hard times. People make bad choices with their own credit at times. Some people just don’t make enough to pay their basic bills and that’s the sad reality of the world we live in. People get divorced (which plummets many women into poverty). That doesn’t mean they are necessarily bad with money or thieves. My own mother - an accountant and very good with money- dealt with years of financial struggle when my parents got divorced. Can she not be a good accountant for that reason? No.

11. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    Very few companies will care about your credit score unless it’’s for security clearance or financial services role. What they’’re primarily looking for is habitual skipping out on debt obligations. There’s a difference between low credit score because you don’t have credit vs low score because you haven’t paid your bills. I think you’ll be fine no matter what. Good luck.

12. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:05PM UTC

    My husband was able to get security clearance with bad credit, we just had to explain why things were the way they were and what we were trying to do to get caught back up. It took a little longer to get my husband's security clearance, however, he got it because we were honest with them up front about it, and it was something outside of our control (I had lost a job due to wrongful termination, and I had also needed emergency open heart surgery which left me unemployable with traditional employers). So, they'll look at the reason as to why you have bad credit, and what you are doing to make the situation better.

13. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

    Unless it’s for a financial job or working with money or in insurance/stocks, I do not believe they will look at credit, good or bad. I had to declare bankruptcy a year before I applied for a job in the education sector; I had to undergo a background and credit check. I got the job, in spite of it. I wouldn’t worry about it, especially if you were well liked during the interview and have stellar references. I agree wholeheartedly with the other post: no credit checks for employment unless it’s in a sector that deals with finances.

14. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 3:36PM UTC

    Some states prohibit companies from using a credit score as the basis for not hiring you. Relax, many of us have had bumps in the road, but we pick ourselves back up and keep it moving. Congratulations on the new position.

15. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 4:21PM UTC

    Is it a finance position? If not why are they checking your credit score. You can request on the form a copy of your report and if you are denied employment because of credit bubble it up to the company as an issue because of what you shared. Most companies outsource their background checks so you can control that by reaching out to them directly.

16. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:01PM UTC

    My husband had to go through a very thorough background check, including a credit check, because he has a high level security clearance as a civilian due to the nature of his job. We were concerned that it would be a problem, because of negative remarks on our credit report through no fault of our own, as I had gotten sick and landed in the hospital for almost a month, and we were left with huge hospital bills that weren't covered by my insurance that should have been. Also, I had lost a job due to being disabled and wasn't able to find another one because of my disabilities, so I was able to set enough of the small settlement that I received from my former employer (I filed a complaint with the EEOC and they were able to help me get a small financial settlement from my former employer) to start my own small business. As long as you are honest with them up front it shouldn't be a problem.

    Also, as a married woman it is important to have at least one bank account in your maiden name and at least one credit card in your maiden name, too. Since, if you live in certain states, such as a community property state, then all of your accounts that you are on with your husband can and most likely will be frozen if he should suddenly pass away. You should plan on having at least 6 months of all current living expenses set aside in it or more if you can, as it can sometimes take quite awhile to be able to gain access to a spouses accounts upon their death even if you have a death certificate for them.

17. misskelleypAugust 23,2023 at 6:28PM UTC

    those accounts don't have to be in her maiden name if she's not using that name, they can be in her married name, but she should DEFINITELY have a bank account and credit cards in her name as an individual, in order to a)build her credit and b) have some financial security.

18. Erica MitchellAugust 22,2023 at 4:36PM UTC

    I have found that credit only matters for a few select positions. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

19. AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 8:32PM UTC

    This could only be a problem if you will handle large sums of money and have a bad score due to derogatory marks. It shouldn't matter much if it is low because of a lack of history. My suggestion would be for your husband to add you to one or more of his credit cards or car loans, as if anything happens to him, you could have difficulty moving forward (nothing to do with your job, just a suggestion from experience).

    I once had responsibilities for handling and acknowledging donation/memorial checks taken away from me when they retroactively ran my credit score (my position changed, and they didn't run it for the initial position I was onboarded for) because I had too many derogatory marks on my credit report. I don't think this will be a problem for you.

20. Kia HarrisAugust 23,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

    Definitely a problem! Have your name added to some credit as an authorized user will increase your score ( of course payments have to be timely) lastly establish yourself as an individual even when happily married

21. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 1:15AM UTC

    Definitely not a problem unless she's working with money.

22. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 3:58PM UTC

    my sister and I made my mom get her own credit card, checking, and savings accounts. My dad was supportive of the idea, my mom not so much. We also added her name to the deed of the house.

    it is important to have financial security incase of emergencies or unexpected life events.

23. misskelleypAugust 23,2023 at 6:25PM UTC

    I can't speak to this job, because I don't know what the hiring company's criteria are - but if I were you I might reach out to whoever is doing the check (someone in HR?) and let them know that your credit score isn't very high because.... and explain. That way they are prepared when they see it. THEN, you need to start building your credit. Open a department store card at a store you shop at. Buy something every month and pay it off every month. Open a gas station card that you will use, and pay it off every month. You need to build credit for yourself! Mr. Oh I'll take care of that honey, is doing you NO FAVORS in the long term.

24. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 8:38PM UTC

    Background checks don't generally include credit checks unless you will be working with $

25. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 1:52AM UTC

    I work for a background screening company and in general credit checks are only run on senior-level executives or individuals who will be working for a financial institution.

    With that said, the credit check is used to validate your identity, your ability to handle money, and evaluate your financial and personal stability. I also don't believe employers have access to your 3 digit score.

26. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 4:04PM UTC

    They usually use the Credit check to validate identity... My husband had a background check for his new job a few months ago and his credit score isn't great... he was worried about that too... but that is really more for high level jobs or where you will be working with finances... I don't even think the employer sees the credit score as they use a company to run the checks

27. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 9:18PM UTC

    Thank you everyone for your feedback regarding the Background Check. I heard from HR this morning and I passed the Background/Credit Check.

    There were so many helpful comments. Not knowing exactly what companies look for with a Background Check had me stressed. I agree it is important for a woman, actually anyone, to build their credit history wether married or not. And if you’ve paid off student loans, cars, etc. and don’t have any loans, then it’s important to have a credit card or two to build that credit, like someone mentioned in the comments.

    I hope whoever is looking for a job right now, gets some great news today!?