How to Convince a Prospective Employer to Overlook Poor Credit

By Daniel Bortz


Despite a slowly strengthening economy, job seekers have plenty to worry about these days. Stiff competition and fewer available jobs are holding many Americans back from joining the labor force. Unfortunately, job seekers with poor credit have yet another thing working against them.

An estimated 47 percent of U.S. employers conduct credit background checks on job candidates, according to a 2012 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management. That's down from the 60 percent who conducted credit checks in 2010, according to the SHRM. Red flags differ among employers but could include late payments, maxed credit cards, or other financial black marks that indicate a lack of responsibility in a hiring manager's eyes.