Want to find new job in new city, but bad credit. Hope for me?

TheSmilingTurnip · 10-16-2007, 02:03 PM

Hi -- I'm an administrative assistant with really strong skills, great interpersonal skills, and good employment history. I have great references too.

The problem is that I have bad credit. I made a lot of mistakes in my personal life and I'm paying for them now. Literally.

Now I want to move to another city next summer and need to find another job...I will not necessarily be handling money as a secretary, but I am worried that I will not be able to find a good position because of this, even though I am very good at my job and have always been a trustworthy employee.

Is there any hope for me? Will employers consider my credit history above my skills, presentation, and tendency to add value to whatever position I am in?

catwalk · 10-16-2007, 02:20 PM

you have to give them permission to look at your credit history........ and really they shouldn't ask!!!! You should be fine dear

shes2smart · 10-16-2007, 02:26 PM

Some employers will run a credit check on you, some will not.

My husband ran into this when he was looking for a job. He chose to deal with it head on in the interview by telling the interviewer exactly what they'd find if they pulled a credit report. His credit's screwed up due to his divorce from his first wife and some subsequent financial drama she created. It wasn't a problem and he was offered a job relatively quickly at a company that did a drug screen, credit check and background check.

Kiwi_Sweet · 10-16-2007, 02:56 PM

I personally don't think that your credit history should be an issue, but some employers do review that information, for it is vital. It is something to take into consideration, because most administrative positions deal with budgets.

I assume if you are searching for a job as an administrative assistant, you'll be handling money.

I'm an office assistant, and my position revolves around finances and keeping track of our budget. I also issue paychecks.

If they did search through your "credit-history", I'd assume they would label you "irresponsible", right off the bat?

I hope you find the job you are looking for.
Your situation can be sticky.

Have you tried getting your credit back up? Or possibly filing for bankruptcy?

TheSmilingTurnip · 10-16-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shes2smart

Some employers will run a credit check on you, some will not.

My husband ran into this when he was looking for a job. He chose to deal with it head on in the interview by telling the interviewer exactly what they'd find if they pulled a credit report. His credit's screwed up due to his divorce from his first wife and some subsequent financial drama she created. It wasn't a problem and he was offered a job relatively quickly at a company that did a drug screen, credit check and background check.

I thought about that - I could always bring it up and explain right off the bat that my credit's screwed up while pointing out that I have never stolen from anyone and am now working on cleaning up my credit, I am just concerned that when they see the application, will they run the credit report before they even interview me?

TheSmilingTurnip · 10-16-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fruitylips1

I personally don't think that your credit history should be an issue, but some employers do review that information, for it is vital. It is something to take into consideration, because most administrative positions deal with budgets.

I assume if you are searching for a job as an administrative assistant, you'll be handling money.

I'm an office assistant, and my position revolves around finances and keeping track of our budget. I also issue paychecks.

If they did search through your "credit-history", I'd assume they would label you "irresponsible", right off the bat?

I personally believe it is none of an employer's business; a criminal background, references, and a check into your employment history is all that should be needed, but employers are getting away with this now, and so we must deal with it.

In any case, I have never worked in a financial industry and am not really interested in doing that. I work in sales and marketing and hope to find another position within that realm. Even so, I may have to deal with budgets, you are right about that. But on that point, budgeting for my personal life and budgeting for an employer are two different things. As an administrative assistant, I wouldn't expect to be doing projections or making any serious budgetary decisions.

Right now, I have to order things and I have a list of 20 credit cards with which to do so. It has never been a problem and never will be.

I am in fact working on this aspect of my life right now, but it will take time to see results.

poloplayer · 10-16-2007, 03:40 PM

It depends...

Some companies can and will run a credit report on you before extending an offer, while others might make you fill out a form authorizing your 'okay' on this, but won't ever check.

I think if you were admin. for a bank or some sort of money center than it would be more likely; your personal finance is very important to an employer in the financial community. I've been asked questions in interviews about my personal finances (nothing inappropriate) to get a better idea if I would be a good fit.

It's hard to say, but you can't let that fear hold you back. More importantly, good job on getting your personal life squared away! Many people make financial mistakes (I've made too many), but only some get their 'act' together and turn things around.

TheSmilingTurnip · 10-16-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poloplayer

It depends...

It's hard to say, but you can't let that fear hold you back. More importantly, good job on getting your personal life squared away! Many people make financial mistakes (I've made too many), but only some get their 'act' together and turn things around.

Thanks for the encouragement poloplayer. I really appreciate it. I know I could get *a* job, but I would need a good one to support my daughter and I and I guess it is scary to go out there and get rejected a lot because of this.

10-16-2007, 02:03 PM	#1
TheSmilingTurnip Offline Platinum Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 2,042	Want to find new job in new city, but bad credit. Hope for me? Hi -- I'm an administrative assistant with really strong skills, great interpersonal skills, and good employment history. I have great references too. The problem is that I have bad credit. I made a lot of mistakes in my personal life and I'm paying for them now. Literally. Now I want to move to another city next summer and need to find another job...I will not necessarily be handling money as a secretary, but I am worried that I will not be able to find a good position because of this, even though I am very good at my job and have always been a trustworthy employee. Is there any hope for me? Will employers consider my credit history above my skills, presentation, and tendency to add value to whatever position I am in? __________________ BOUNDARIES...where you end and someone else begins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty." ~ Kevin Bacon on keeping marriage together.

10-16-2007, 02:26 PM	#3
shes2smart Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: same world, different server Gender: Female Age: 45 Posts: 5,138	Some employers will run a credit check on you, some will not. My husband ran into this when he was looking for a job. He chose to deal with it head on in the interview by telling the interviewer exactly what they'd find if they pulled a credit report. His credit's screwed up due to his divorce from his first wife and some subsequent financial drama she created. It wasn't a problem and he was offered a job relatively quickly at a company that did a drug screen, credit check and background check. __________________ "But there's no use crying over every mistake You just keep on trying til you run out of cake"

10-16-2007, 02:20 PM	#2
catwalk Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North America! Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 418	you have to give them permission to look at your credit history........ and really they shouldn't ask!!!! You should be fine dear

10-16-2007, 02:56 PM	#4
Kiwi_Sweet Offline Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 989	I personally don't think that your credit history should be an issue, but some employers do review that information, for it is vital. It is something to take into consideration, because most administrative positions deal with budgets. I assume if you are searching for a job as an administrative assistant, you'll be handling money. I'm an office assistant, and my position revolves around finances and keeping track of our budget. I also issue paychecks. If they did search through your "credit-history", I'd assume they would label you "irresponsible", right off the bat? I hope you find the job you are looking for. Your situation can be sticky. Have you tried getting your credit back up? Or possibly filing for bankruptcy?

10-16-2007, 03:40 PM	#7
poloplayer Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Gender: None Specified Posts: 1,051	It depends... Some companies can and will run a credit report on you before extending an offer, while others might make you fill out a form authorizing your 'okay' on this, but won't ever check. I think if you were admin. for a bank or some sort of money center than it would be more likely; your personal finance is very important to an employer in the financial community. I've been asked questions in interviews about my personal finances (nothing inappropriate) to get a better idea if I would be a good fit. It's hard to say, but you can't let that fear hold you back. More importantly, good job on getting your personal life squared away! Many people make financial mistakes (I've made too many), but only some get their 'act' together and turn things around.