Florida! Hey! That's where I am!! It's great (except for the tourists) and you will LOVE it!!
Is this for a gov job? Is a security clearance required?
What's most important (having several security clearance checks under my belt and stinky credit) is to be HONEST. If you lie, it's just as much of an indicator (in their mind) of your character as crappy credit is .. if not MORE.
I've seen people with comparative credit apply: those who have the crappy credit and are up-front about it get the job (with an admonishment to keep their nose clean); those with crappy credit who lied about it (or omitted the truth) were shown the door immediately.
If you currently have crappy credit, be ready with an explanation and a PLAN to deal with it. If they feel that you understand the seriousness of the situation and are willing to make it right, they'll give you "character points."
Their main concern, however, regardless of industry, is that you're an honest person who does the right thing -- someone that they can trust to deal with clients, money, proprietary info, etc. If you're honest and upfront, you'll be fine!
Is this for a gov job? Is a security clearance required?
What's most important (having several security clearance checks under my belt and stinky credit) is to be HONEST. If you lie, it's just as much of an indicator (in their mind) of your character as crappy credit is .. if not MORE.
I've seen people with comparative credit apply: those who have the crappy credit and are up-front about it get the job (with an admonishment to keep their nose clean); those with crappy credit who lied about it (or omitted the truth) were shown the door immediately.
If you currently have crappy credit, be ready with an explanation and a PLAN to deal with it. If they feel that you understand the seriousness of the situation and are willing to make it right, they'll give you "character points."
Their main concern, however, regardless of industry, is that you're an honest person who does the right thing -- someone that they can trust to deal with clients, money, proprietary info, etc. If you're honest and upfront, you'll be fine!
Background checks are more to see if you're a responsible employee than to see if they want to offer you a loan. A big part of what they look at is to see if you've had trouble paying your bills RECENTLY. Because:
1. It gives them a look at how responsible you are as a person. If you've got your finances under control and have had them under control for some period of time, regardless of past problems, it shows them you've got a good grip on things now!
2. If you're broke and have tons of debt, chances are you're not going to be focused on work, now are you.
And last of all, if they notice something on your credit report like the BK from a ways back, they won't take back the offer a cease all contact. Employers, just like CSR's doing recons for credit cards, will hear you out and let you explain yourself. ESPECIALLY if they really want you as an employee.
Let us know! And congrats on the job!
1. It gives them a look at how responsible you are as a person. If you've got your finances under control and have had them under control for some period of time, regardless of past problems, it shows them you've got a good grip on things now!
2. If you're broke and have tons of debt, chances are you're not going to be focused on work, now are you.
And last of all, if they notice something on your credit report like the BK from a ways back, they won't take back the offer a cease all contact. Employers, just like CSR's doing recons for credit cards, will hear you out and let you explain yourself. ESPECIALLY if they really want you as an employee.
Let us know! And congrats on the job!
@homewardbound wrote:Thank you all so much for the encouragement. I will not tell them anything at all unless they ask. I was told by HR that everything would be final by Tuesday, so I don't have much longer to stress about it. The BK was discharged in June 2007, but the credit problems stopped long before then, it just took me a long time to decide to file because I was so scared to do it. My credit report will show that. I have managed to pay a car loan off entirely since and I opened 2 new credit cards which I manage very responsibly and pay on time all the time, only charging monthly gas on them.I think it should be ok, you have all helped me to destress about this situation, because believe me, I literally made myself sick with worry last week and I am so tired now that I can't even be stressed about it anymore!!
Oh, of COURSE you're stressed!! Any change of that sort is bound to be absolutely stressful -- with or without the added pressure of approval (whether based on credit or ability to perform)!!
But you know what? You'll be fine! We frail humans always seem to see our own issues and faults much larger than others see them. You're seeing YOUR credit issues as some insurmountable obstacle because you're already stressed about the change it entails. I'll be any other day of the week, you're far more confident in WHO you are and what you have to offer!
So tell that insecure side of you to just shut up and leave you in peace! You don't deserve the added pressure!!
Really, be honest and be YOU and you will be MORE than fine!!
And if I forgot to say it before (and even if I didn't forget): CONGRATS!!!