Can You Be Denied a Job Because of Bad Credit?
Posted by Frank Gogol in Credit Scores | Updated on August 21, 2023
Many of us have some personal information hidden away in our credit history that we would rather not have anyone else know about. Especially when applying for a job.
Unfortunately, if you are applying for a job, there’s a chance that your potential employer can get to know this secret and even ask you about it during your interview.
In certain states, employers are entitled to check your credit history when you are applying for a job. Most job seekers don’t’ even know this, and it raises a really important question is: can you be denied a job because of bad credit?
The short answer is yes, you can.
Also, keep in mind that bad credit is different than no credit — but in this case, bad credit can be the culprit.
If you have a poor credit history, the best thing you can do is be prepare to be asked about it or even to have to raise the topic yourself. Below we explain why employers look at your credit history and what you can do to be prepared.
What is Considered Bad Credit?
Bad credit means you have a bad track record with lenders. Usually, this is due to defaulting on one of your loan agreements. Simply put, you didn’t pay when you said you would pay and it might have been a pattern.
You get a poor credit record if:
- You pay late,
- You don’t pay the agreed upon amount, or
- You don’t pay at all
If one of the above occurs, it gets noted on your credit history, which is available for anyone who can do a credit check to see. Your credit history is summarized (according to different models) into a credit score which provides an at-a-glance look at whether you have a good or bad track record with credit.
Each company will have their own guidelines for what they consider bad or poor credit score. Here is a general guideline:
- Excellent credit score: 700 – 850
- Good credit score: 680-699
- Average credit score: 620 – 679
- Poor credit score: 500 – 619
- Bad credit score 300 – 499
Where and When Bad Credit Can Affect You Being Hired
If a potential employer wants to check your credit, they won’t be able to see your full credit score. They will only be able to see a modified credit report that will show them your debt and payment history.
Some states restrict employer-run credit checks, so if you are looking for a job in one of these states you don’t have to worry. These states include:
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
You might be wondering why on earth would a potential employer want to check your credit? And why can you be denied a job because of bad credit? If you are applying for a job where you will have to handle cash, you get a corporate credit card, you have access to the business’ financials or even where you get told corporate secrets or handle sensitive customer data, chances are that your potential employer will run a credit check.
These employers want to know if you (as a potential candidate) are in financial distress. If you are, it increases the risk of theft or fraud.
Your credit history could also be an indicator of some other problems your employer wants to avoid. For example, late payments could indicate a lack of organization, responsibility or keeping to your word.
If your potential job requires a security clearance, you can be almost certain that your employer will want to check your credit history.
4 Steps to Minimize Your Credit Scores Impacting You Getting Hired
If your potential employer does a credit check, you have no control over what they decide to do with that information. There are, however, steps you can take to be prepared for any potential questions about your credit that could come up in an interview.
1: Get Your Credit Report (for Free) and Review it
First of all, you’ll want to know what your potential employer will be seeing. You can get one free credit report from each of the three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Transunion). Make sure you review the report to see if there are any errors. Errors happen more often than we think and they affect our credit negatively. If you find any errors, make sure you dispute them so they can be corrected. Even if you don’t find any errors it is important to know exactly where you stand if you are potentially going to face questions about it.
2: Plan For How to Reduce Your Debt
Beyond just having a plan will help you get into a better financial position, having a plan that you can share with your potential employer will be a big positive (especially if your credit is a big negative). Having a plan shows the employer that you are taking responsibility for past mistakes.
3: Be Proactive
If you are applying for a job that will entail sensitive financial matters, having a poor credit history will be a bigger factor in your potential employer’s mind when considering you for the job. It might be worth it to introduce the topic of your poor credit history before they even ask (provided you know that they check applicants’ credit history as part of the standard protocol). This might show them you don’t have anything to hide and puts you one step forward in canvassing this negative topic in a positive light.
4: Adjust Your Job Search (if All Else Fails)
If you’re really struggling to find a job because of your poor credit history, then you can try and find a job in a different way or create your own job! There are many creative ways you can earn money that don’t require you to work as an employee for someone else. You can perhaps work as an independent contractor, freelancer or consultant in your network with who you have already built trust. Your options are endless. Don’t let your poor credit history keep you back from building a stronger financial future.
Read More
- How to Remove Paid Collections from a Credit Report
- How to Get Approved for a Cell Phone with Bad Credit
- How Many Points Will My Credit Score Increase When I Pay Off Collections?
- How to Check Your Credit Score Without an SSN
- How to Remove Late Payments from a Credit Report
- Why Did My Credit Score Go Down When Nothing Changed?
- How Accurate is Credit Karma?
Conclusion
Ultimately it is possible that you can be denied a job because of your credit history. If you have a less-than-ideal credit history and you think this might influence your job application, the best thing you can do is to prepare for it. Don’t be caught off guard and be ready to tell your potential employer how you are dedicated to sorting out your debt. If it still doesn’t work out there are other avenues and options for you to earn an income. Regardless of what the outcome is, it is always a good idea to know what your credit position is and have a plan to pay off your debt and build towards a better financial future.
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