Dona DeZube, one of our favorite finance reporters, sent in this piece. If you didn’t think your credit report matters when you’re job-hunting, well, it does. Writes Dona:
More and more companies are checking the credit and background reports of their employment candidates. Before sending in a resume, smart job-seekers should pull their own documents to make sure their information is correct. Here’s how you do it.
Your Background and You
Your first stop: the Web site of ChoicePoint, which bills itself as “the nation’s leading provider of identification and credential verification services.” Its Web site explains how to order free copies of reports on insurance claims, your work history and your tenant history.
If you’re denied a job because of a background check, you have both the right to know which company provided the check, and to get a copy of it. You may want to contact the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, which offers help in such situations and provides online fact sheets to guide you: Employment Background Checks: A Jobseeker’s Guide and Employment Background Checks in California: New Focus on Accuracy.
Your Credit History
Each year, you’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, EquiFax, Inc. and Experian. To request them, go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
If you find an error in your report, follow these steps:
- In writing, inform the company that filed the information.
- Check the other credit reporting agencies to see if their reports contain incorrect information, as well. If they do, notify each one, again in writing.
- In 30 days, check back to make sure your report has been updated.
- Once you’ve confirmed the update, ask that any companies who’ve pulled your report over the past six months get updated versions (if you think it’s necessary).
- If you can’t get the whole mess cleared up, you can put a 100-word statement in your report telling your side of the story. If you do this, remember: be professional.
What If They’re Right?
But what if you do have poor credit, or you did commit a youthful indiscretion?
Smaller firms are less likely to have a human resources office devoted to doing background checks. If you’re asked about either topic, keep your answer short, sweet and contrite, for example: “I got my first credit card in college and was very irresponsible. I’ve learned my lesson and now my credit is back on track.”
If you have a criminal past, you can try the same contriteness, but be aware it’s not as likely to fly. Especially if you’re working closely with a financial group, any whiff of deceitfulness is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.
Tags: background checks, credit, credit report, Job Hunting
