Dream Job, Final Interview, Bad Credit... what should I do?
Date: Fri, 03/05/2010 - 00:55
I almost have an offer with a well-known information systems company, and I will be having that final interview soon. I've been searching for this job for more than a year and a half. And I wanted to know what the process is for credit checks. I've read the posts on this forum, and I'm not sure if a background check always includes a credit check?
Last summer, I was struggling to make minimum payments on my credit cards when I graduated in May. I haven't found work since. Now that I actually have a shot at a job, that doesn't involve accounting or me handling money directly... I think I may fail the credit check.
I've been living off nothing and job hunting 120 hours a week... my credit is bad because I was making all the minimum payments until my interest rates on all my cards jumped from 10% to 28%... because I didn't "reject" the new changes, and that I missed 1 payment. It all went down-hill from there.
I have a phone bill that I was disputing which charged me 600 out of nowhere for roaming... and I'm about to settle this with the collection agency. I have three credit cards that I used to pay for living expenses and food in college, that I've made settlement agreements with, and with random work I'm doing... I can pay these offs.
Unfortunately, I have 1 card that I didn't make it to in time... and it's the one that charged me 30% interest for at least 10 months and went to $26... this is Chase k... and now it's been "charged off" to a collection agency.
I've tried my best to make ends meet, it's just that I thought I would have a job at graduation to pay all these debts off, and I used my credit cards to pay bursar bills.
I wanted to know what to say to HR if I ever get to that offer stage, and if I should bring the letters from the banks that say I am on payment plans? I know this looks very irresponsible, but I had to pay for medical expenses, room and board, and support myself through college. I've made mistakes, and I'm trying to fix them. So please if you have any advice, please let me know.
My friends who were hired into analyst roles told me that credit checks weren't run on them, and maybe that I should remain mum. This is stressing me out, so please help!!!
Thank you!!!
Last summer, I was struggling to make minimum payments on my credit cards when I graduated in May. I haven't found work since. Now that I actually have a shot at a job, that doesn't involve accounting or me handling money directly... I think I may fail the credit check.
I've been living off nothing and job hunting 120 hours a week... my credit is bad because I was making all the minimum payments until my interest rates on all my cards jumped from 10% to 28%... because I didn't "reject" the new changes, and that I missed 1 payment. It all went down-hill from there.
I have a phone bill that I was disputing which charged me 600 out of nowhere for roaming... and I'm about to settle this with the collection agency. I have three credit cards that I used to pay for living expenses and food in college, that I've made settlement agreements with, and with random work I'm doing... I can pay these offs.
Unfortunately, I have 1 card that I didn't make it to in time... and it's the one that charged me 30% interest for at least 10 months and went to $26... this is Chase k... and now it's been "charged off" to a collection agency.
I've tried my best to make ends meet, it's just that I thought I would have a job at graduation to pay all these debts off, and I used my credit cards to pay bursar bills.
I wanted to know what to say to HR if I ever get to that offer stage, and if I should bring the letters from the banks that say I am on payment plans? I know this looks very irresponsible, but I had to pay for medical expenses, room and board, and support myself through college. I've made mistakes, and I'm trying to fix them. So please if you have any advice, please let me know.
My friends who were hired into analyst roles told me that credit checks weren't run on them, and maybe that I should remain mum. This is stressing me out, so please help!!!
Thank you!!!
I think its better to remain 'quiet' if you are not specifically
I think its better to remain 'quiet' if you are not specifically asked. It is better than lying. If you are asked, you can then explain your situation and IMO an employer would be able to see your reasons given the market condition. Not all of the employers run credit check on applicants before hiring them. So, you can keep your fingers crossed.
