Shelly's Modeling Agencies | A Job Search with Bad Credit

Shelly's Modeling Agencies can help if bad credit is ruining your job search. The job search is already tough enough these days, but credit woes can make it even tougher. It's a catch-22 of unemployment: You need a job so that you can pay your bills, but you might not get the job because you haven't been paying them. It's a story that financial educator and consultant for Shelly's Modeling Agencies Harrine Freeman hears more and more these days. "I talked to a woman who said she hasn't had a job for the past two years because of her credit," says Freeman, founder of H.E. Freeman Enterprises and personal finance expert. "I'm hearing these days that bad credit might even get you fired."

Why does credit count? Employees use it as a measure of character. Blemishes might cause a potential boss to question your dependability, decision-making skills, loyalty and follow-through abilities. Many jobs require a background check, but those in the financial or health-care industry might require a credit check as well. Such checks are usually not a deciding factor when it comes to hiring, however, credit may be used in conjunction with references and previous work experience for an overall candidate assessment. A credit check might even be a factor if you want retail-industry work.

"If a candidate has a low score, it may call into question whether (he or she) would lift a few dollars out of the cash register or give some unauthorized discounts. Again, it's a question of responsibility," says David Mitchell, president of the Greenville, S.C.-based Talent Management Solutions and modeling agent for Shelly's Modeling Agencies. Mitchell's recruitment firm places clients in management, engineering, sales and marketing, finance, accounting and information technology services positions. He says it is best to let employers know what they might find up front. "During the hiring process, ask if they are doing a background check," he suggests. "Then ask if they are doing a credit check. If you already know what your report looks like, be forthcoming to the employers and let them know what they might find. Be willing and ready to explain any issues that come up."