Credit checking for a job?..im in trouble :(

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 14, 2009

i don't know how much they base on credit check.. when i was hired they did do a crdit check and told me it did count on my hiring process...

damrcngrl95 · Aug 14, 2009

What kind of credit score would keep you from getting a job? I really don't understand why a nonfinancial/accounting position would need a credit check. I know this is becoming the new trend, but I just don't understand it and feel it is a violation of privacy.

I am curious as to what the credit score cut off is to getting a job. I know of plenty of people who have had situations beyond their control that has caused their credit score to go way down.

deAnna

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 14, 2009

the reason why employers do a credit check is because they feel if you can pay your bills ontime you will be a good employee.

NurseDevonL · Aug 14, 2009

the reason why employers do a credit check is because they feel if you can pay your bills ontime you will be a good employee.

And i agree with that, but my bankruptcy had nothing to do with me not paying bills on time, but so many people abuse the system that now thats the way its thought of.

My condo burnt down and I lost eveything i own. My condo association did not send me legal notice that they were no longer providing insurance in our association fees (as they were when i moved in) and I cant pay lawyer fees to fight them so bankruptcy was really my only option. I ALWAYS payed my bills fully and on time and had been living on my own since 19 for 5 years, i bought my own place at 20 without a co-signer!

My main question was if I should tell HR this up front or not...im afraid I may scare them off, but if i dont tell them what happened they may not give me the chance to explain it before rejecting me.

life_aknew · Aug 14, 2009

i'm sorry to hear that your home burned down and that you had to file for bankruptcy. there was a thread about credit checks and employers last year some time i believe and i still feel that it's unfair to not hire someone as a nurse or for that matter any position that doesn't include handling money because of less than desirable credit scores. i understand that no matter how i perceive it, it's becoming a growing trend. with that said, it's hard to say if you should mention it or not. i wonder how much of your credit they actually look at? sorry i'm no help

hopefully it won't be an issue for you being that your credit was so good before. i certainly hope my credit won't be held against me because of ruined finances from a pending divorce...

best of luck with everything.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2009

Your credit score would have to be horrible for it to make a real difference from my understanding. This is what I've gathered concerning credit checks:

The belief/theory is, if you have an unbalanced debt-to-asset ratio and a low credit score, you will be unstable.

You will demand OT when it is not available, because you need it to keep up with the bills.

You will seek a second job, perhaps also full time, to keep up with your bills thus limiting your schedule flexibility.

You are more likely to be stressed, especially just before pay days when the money is thin. This leads to poor performance on the job and often times poor relations with co-workers.

You are more likely to......walk the fine line of stealing/using resources. Drinking/eating pt food, taking supplies home (pens, note pads, cleaning supplies).

The person with a poorly balanced debt-to-asset ratio and a poor credit rating brings all kinds of risks to the table someone else with comparable experience/education with a better credit score does not. Its used as a tie breaker, but its not the biggest determining factor.

A positive interview experience, the ability to fit the facilities needs, flexibility (schedule and salary wise) and a good attendance record are still the major factors that decide if you are hired or not.

I have known people with.........issues from the past that reflect in their credit score who overcame that with sharp interview skills and flexibility. One person comes to mind now who worked a factory job and had three kids. He went into debt just trying to provide the basics for his family. Went to school, could not work as much, accrued more debt but then graduated with a nursing degree that nearly doubled his earnings. He was hired without a problem. He is a superior nurse and a great asset to his unit, but he had to make other characteristics outshine his credit rating.

Come to think of it, like the theory goes, people like that are more likely to want OT. When they needed OT from him, he jumped on it. Sometimes worked 60 hrs a week (5 tweelves). But when the need for OT disappeared with the bad economy and low census, he didnt demand it either.

kk637 · Aug 14, 2009

I think it is really stupid that they would do a credit check in determining whether to hire you or not. I too, would be in trouble if the place that hired me was doing that bc let me tell you, I would not have been hired! my credit is so bad! It's not like it's any of their business, what's it got to do with patient care? I just don't understand.

Well that's my 2 cents worth. Good luck in your job hunt.

CinCinRN · Aug 14, 2009

Flat out this is BS!!! May i ask how in the world are you supposed to fix a credit problem when no one will hire you? Society is getting way to carried away people and nurses aren't perfect.

matchsticktgt, LPN · Aug 14, 2009

From my past in the mortgage industry/human resources world....usually the credit report was a screening tool to screen out people with large judgements, tax liens, etc.....maybe even back child support. They are looking for things that could be garnished and would reflect poorly on your character, etc. Anytime anything negative was discovered, the prospective employee was given an opportunity to explain the situation.....

I don't know if things have changed...

matchsticktgt, LPN · Aug 14, 2009

A bankruptcy caused by a catastrophic event is looked at in an entirely different way than people who just quit paying their bills. Yours certainly fit any criteria for catastrophic event I've ever heard of (with more than 15 years in that d* industry.

K.P.A. · Aug 14, 2009

get copies of your credit reports

then you'll know what potential employers will see if they look

you may not have a problem and you're worrying yourself

-Katz