A low credit score, indicating a history of slow payments and non-payments, could be a sign that you have reached the breaking point in your financial situation. If that is the case, the employer may see you as a potentially high-risk employee, and decide to eliminate you from the candidate pool.

What do employers look for in a credit check?

Though prospective employers don’t see your credit score in a credit check, they do see your open lines of credit (such as mortgages), outstanding balances, auto or student loans, foreclosures, late or missed payments, any bankruptcies and collection accounts.

How does a bad credit score affect your job?

Having bad credit can make it difficult to get approved for a loan or a credit card — but in some cases, it can also prevent you from getting a job. According to a 2018 National Association of Professional Background Screeners study, 47 percent of employers run credit or financial background checks on candidates.

Do you have to check your credit score to get a job?

The other persisting credit myth is that your credit report is a crucial part of the job screening process. In fact, according to a survey of human resources professionals done by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners, 62% of employers never look into financial or credit history for any of their applicants.

What happens if you have a bad credit rating?

If you have given a potential employer permission to look at your credit rating and it doesn’t match their criteria then you may not make it through to the next stage. This is never a forgone conclusion and will always depend on the job, the employer and the rest of your application.

Can you get a government job with bad credit?

The government doesn’t have a blanket policy that prohibits the hiring of people with bad credit, but applicants are commonly screened for suitability. This process looks beyond the obvious qualifications, such as experience or education, and assesses an applicant’s character and conduct.