Check Your Credit Online

A credit check was once only a concern for those who were applying for new loans, credit cards, insurance or apartments. Now, however, more and more employers are conducting credit inquiries during the hiring process – leaving those with bad credit scrambling to explain their past history with debt or simply giving up and seeking employment elsewhere. Fortunately, a poor credit record doesn’t have to cost you your dream job.

Employers Must Have Permission for a Credit Check

When you apply for a new job, a potential employer cannot simply conduct an inquiry into your credit history without your permission. The Fair Credit Reporting Act notes that a hiring manager must have written permission from a job applicant before performing an employment credit check.

The fact that an employer must seek your permission gives you fair warning of an impending credit inquiry – allowing you to explain any derogatory entries within your credit file before the hiring manager ever sees your credit report.