Bad Credit Can Kill Your Job Search

By Career.Builder.com

Asking job candidates to submit to credit checks is gaining popularity among employers, according to a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management. Thirty-five percent of employers used credit checks as part of the pre-employment screening process in 2004, up from 19 percent in 1996.

Lots of people have a blemish or two on their credit histories –- a few late payments here, some nasty credit card debt or a bankruptcy there.

It's well-known that poor credit can make it tough to get a car loan or mortgage. But many job seekers are stunned to learn that that their financial missteps can also prevent them from getting a job offer.