Ok credit experts...I desperately need your help...This is a long read...but I REALLY REALLY need help...and I appreciate the time, effort, patience...in advance..Thanks! I'm a pretty young guy (23)...and I'm learning about the importance of credit the hard way. I just recently graduated from college...and ironically I graduated with a degree in accounting, however I never really knew how bad my credit was. Fast forward...until recently...I've been applying for accounting jobs..and I checked my credit...to my dismay My Credit Scores were as follows Experian: 572 Equifax: 487 Transunion: 542 There were are TWO negative accounts There were FOUR previously negative accounts and I was previously Negative 25 Times I started freaking out...because one of the accounts that was negative was from my former apartment...in which I had 2 roommates...who didn't pay the balance they owed on our apartment (the apartment was in all 3 of our names) so that was sent to collection The second was from an American Express Card that I opened when I was 19...trying to build my credit...my parents wanted me to establish credit...and they agreed for me to use it to buy little things...while they'd pay the bill...However..I NEVER used the card...and my father started using it (we have the same name)...even though my dad made good money...hes a very forgetful person...so while Im off in college in a different state...hes using my card and really being irresponsible with it...(i.e. late payments..and ultimately getting the account sent to collection) So anyway...while Im freaking out about trying to fix my credit before potential employers run a background check...my mother was telling me she talked to someone...and was telling her that for young...new graduates...they don't worry too much about credit checks...because we're young...obviously made mistakes in college...and had no substantial income.. This put me at ease for a little bit.. and FINALLY I get that DREAM Job... A corporate accountant...for a Fortune 500 Company...Great starting pay....Im so happy...i told all my family...and all my friends about me getting the job...everyone is happy for me.. One week later..I get a letter from the Company saying they may not hire me...due to My credit report...and with the letter they sent me an attached copy of my credit report..from the company that conducted the background check.. As soon as I get this letter...My dad straight up gives me Cash to pay for the two Negative accounts.. The first sum of money was for the $637 dollars I owed to American Express...The Full Amount The Second sum of money was the amount my ROOMATES owed...esentially since my former roomates had been ducking my calls...in order for them to pay...so my father gives me 875 dollars which was the Settlement amount the Apartment Collectors were asking for...The full balance was like 1100 dollars...me being a novice to this whole credit dilemma...I didnt try and negotiate for them to wipe it off of my record...because I didn't know you could do that.. So anyway the same day I get the letter...I pay BOTH balances..the Appt Settlement, and the Amex...then I call the HR for my job..and I try and talk to an HR lady..trying to explain my circumstance..she was really unhelpful..and snide..and said to call her after I received some other letter in the mail from them... Today..I received the second letter that said I had been denied the job...pretty much because of my credit...I didn't even bother to call back.. So heres my question to all my experienced credit experts out there.. I payed off Both the negatives on my credit report...in a days time...however from lurking on these boards...it seems repairing credit is a very TIMELY process... I figure in order for me to get a good accounting job...I need a 650 credit score...and Im nowhere close... I really dont know what to do now...I mean...its one thing getting denied for a car..or apartment..as in a lot of cases..you can find a cosigner...but its another thing getting denied for a job...when it is really hard finding a job in this market....(I graduated in December of 2006....and this was my FIRST JOB OFFER!) What can I do to increase my credit?...even though I payed off the negatives...what do I do next?...and what will be the approximate wait time to get into a decent score? I really need a job...and this sucks...and help? Sorry for the essay...but this is a really serious question
