Thu 1 Sep 2011
Credit Checks, Job Interviews, and Employers
Posted by admin under Life Of Self Improvement , Consumer World , BriefingsComments Off
Did you know that a lot of employersrun credit checks on prospective employees? From an employer perspective, it makes sense. All employers are looking to hire employees who have the following qualites:
- Work ethic
- Intelligence
- Honesty
An employee with a good work ethic and intelligence who isn’t honest will rob you blind. And a credit check can provide some insight into how well you keep your promises. People who keep their promises tend to be honest and trustworthy, which is a super important quality in an employee.
But you’re probably thinking, “Well, even though my credit sucks, I’m not going to steal anything. I’m not dishonest. I just had some difficulties.”
And that’s the case for a lot of people. Maybe you had some medical issues come up that prevented you from paying your bills. Or maybe you got fired for no reason by an unethical boss. Or maybe you were just young and didn’t realize you were biting off more than you could chew.
Your question now becomes, “How do I explain bad credit in a job interview?“
You need to keep in mind the following tips:
- Don’t blame other people for your credit score. Own it. Blaming other people for your problems (and of them) will alienate your potential employer.
- Stay calm. It’s important that you demonstrate self control during your job interview. If you don’t, then you’re going to give the interviewer a reason to not hire you.
- Explain what happened honestly, and describe what you’re doing to rectify the situation. Then reassure your interviewer that your skill set is a good fit for the job you hired.
Taking control of the conversation, and refocusing on how well your skills match the job description is key to getting the job. Gently keep bringing the conversation back to that. It won’t guarantee you a job, but it’s the best way to handle the issue when it comes up in a job interview.