How can you get a job in retail when you have bad credit? Get the scoop on dealing with pre-employment screenings.
So you've been out of work for awhile, you finally found the job that sounds perfect for you. You sent in your resume, get called in for an interview. A few days later, you get a job offer. Sounds like the answer to your prayers, right? Well, maybe not.
These days, most employers are doing background checks on everyone they hire. In fact, most of them will do as much background screening as they are allowed to by law. This means employment history, education history, criminal history and even credit history sometimes.
Anyone who is going to be responsible for handling money, merchandise or personal information can be asked to submit to a credit check. The goal is to minimize the risks of embezzlement and personal identity theft. Of course, the companies have to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and they will ask you to sign a consent form before the perform the check.
The problem is that if you have been out of work for awhile, you might not have such great credit. So, what can you do if you know your credit report is less than stellar? Here's some tips to help:
- Write an explanation – Having bad credit isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Most companies will give you a chance to explain your situation, but you will need to be prepared ahead of time. If you think that your credit rating might be a problem, write a well thought out explanation down on paper, so that you'll already be prepared to talk about it if necessary.
- Keep the focus on your ability to do the job – When explaining your credit history, be sure to keep coming back to your ability to do the job. If you have already impressed your future employer during your interview and built rapport, it will make this part even easier. Just keep in mind that your goal is to show that you are trustworthy.
- Look for compromises – If you have had good credit up until recently, you may be able to get a hiring manger to give you the job, with the understanding that you will clear up your credit issues within a certain time frame.
- Check your report often to be sure it's right – Believe it or not, many time the information contained on your credit report may not be accurate. You are entitled to a free copy of your report every year. Take a look at yours, and if there is incorrect information, take steps to have it removed.
Have you had your credit screened during the application process? Let me know in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for RetailGigsBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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