Everyone knows that a having a history of criminal activity can deter employers certain employers from hiring you. Lying on your resume, if caught, will have your would-be boss tossing it in the trash can. But almost 80 percent of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Visa, are unaware that neglecting to pay bills in a timely fashion won’t only result it constant phone calls from collection agencies; it can also cause hiring managers to purposely lose your number.

Although there is currently no proof that overwhelming debt or unpaid bills has any correlation with job performance, an increasing number of employers are now delving into applicants credit histories when conducting pre-employment background checks. Some believe that the manner in which you handle your own personal financial affairs is a testament to your character. Those who have had extended credit problems are seen as irresponsible by some employers.

This type of background check is common for those who will be involved in the handling of a companies finances or those who will be in close proximity to valuable merchandise, such as jewelry. Companies do not want those who can’t not manage their own funds to be responsible for large sums of their business’s money nor do they want individuals desperate for cash to be tempted by items which could easily be stolen and then later sold. Although these types of work environments almost always look into a person’s credit history prior to hiring, they are not the only ones who do so. A background check involving this aspect of your personal life could be requested by any sort of employer.

Still, businesses cannot make your the subject of an investigation without your permission. According to federal law, employers must get written consent to look into your past. When signing a consent and disclosure form, read the small print. If you are aware of the fact that you do not have pristine credit, ask about an employer’s policy only after receiving an offer of employment contingent of the results of a background check. By waiting to discuss such matters until after finding out if they will even be relevant, you avoid tainting a hiring manager’s opinion of you.

If you are informed that the company does check into credit histories when conducting background checks, then take the initiative to explain what they are likely to find. By being the one to address the concern, you give yourself the ability to show the human side to your problem. If medical bills, a divorce, or any similar circumstance has effected your credit then now is the time to explain to an employer why you have had some problems. In many cases you will find that the person in charge of hiring will respect your honesty and be more likely to overlook a less-than-perfect financial history.

Labels: Background Checks