TheJobBored

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Reader Anne from South Carolina writes:

“My husband and I are several thousand dollars in credit card debt. I’m going back to work, in part, to pay this off. But my mother says having bad credit could keep me from getting hired. Is this true?”

Brian answers after the break…

Brian sayz:

If having credit card debt disqualified you from getting a job, virtually no one in America would be working. In fact, if having bad financial spells in your past ruled you out, I don’t think anyone I know could get hired.

So, the answer is, generally, no.

I say generally because it is quite common for employers to do a background check on new employers, and your credit history/financial status is a part of that. Employers believe that financial acumen can translate into work acumen. In other words, if you can’t manage your own financial affairs, maybe you’re not a “together” person in other aspects of your life, including your career.

So, your financial background is something an employer can consider, but it’s not likely the stand in the way of you getting a job.

Unless…

Unless you are applying for a high (or even medium) level financial job. A poor or questionable financial history CAN disqualify you if you’re looking to get work in banking, finance, accounting and even various levels of corporate security. After all, who is going to trust you with their finances/secrets if you can’t seem to manage such things on a personal level?