How does bankruptcy effect a job search?

[Fallonedward]

It's very important that something be on his resume for part of that 11 months so that he is not being weeded out due to length of unemployment. Even if you put volunteer work, school or "consulting" on there to cover part of that 11 months, make sure his resume minimizes the time of unemployment. (honestly of course). Consulting can be anything he has done for anyone in the last 11 months to help them out.

BTS, thanks for the info, I will pass this on to hubby

[backtoschool]

Hubby has been taking the high road but its been 11 very long months and are scraping the barrel for money at this point to pay the bills

It's very important that something be on his resume for part of that 11 months so that he is not being weeded out due to length of unemployment. Even if you put volunteer work, school or "consulting" on there to cover part of that 11 months, make sure his resume minimizes the time of unemployment. (honestly of course). Consulting can be anything he has done for anyone in the last 11 months to help them out.

[Fallonedward]

Don't feel too bad fallonedward, I get these all the time, well mostly by email reply from an online submission, but I still laugh when I get those letters in the mail from a company I sent a job app to over a month or two ago.

I know that feeling, you want to write them back and tell them that they suck, but you just take the high road and move on to the next job app. It is frustrating as being rejected, especially when a company may be wrong rejecting you really sucks eggs!!!

Hubby has been taking the high road but its been 11 very long months and are scraping the barrel for money at this point to pay the bills

[carlsbadmike]

Bankruptcy and disability here. Two strikes against me.

[helpme2010]

I'm so happy for you, hubby just got another rejection letter "we've decided to pursue another candidate"

Don't feel too bad fallonedward, I get these all the time, well mostly by email reply from an online submission, but I still laugh when I get those letters in the mail from a company I sent a job app to over a month or two ago.

I know that feeling, you want to write them back and tell them that they suck, but you just take the high road and move on to the next job app. It is frustrating as being rejected, especially when a company may be wrong rejecting you really sucks eggs!!!

[helpme2010]

I work closely with corporate HR in my position and I can advise that most employers thoroughly check out employees from all angles due to all the issues of today as to embezzlement, fraud, falsified college papers, documents, references, etc. One should not get comfy thinking that a prospective employer will not focus on every possible area of one's life. Also be careful what one posts on Facebook or other social forums. One can be their own worst enemy.

I agree with Flamingo. I have had several companies I interview run background checks on me and they did include credit (this was pre-bk). I had one company even make me an offer and they ran the background check and then suddenly they wouldn't return my calls or anything. I finally emailed one of the hiring managers after a week and demanded they send me a copy of my background and credit report (demanding they send it to me as per California law). Within 10 minutes the person replied with a copy of both. Everything was perfect, my credit history, my background, etc. So they must have found another reason at the last minute not to hire me, such as following up with a previous employer that didn't like me or just finding another employee they liked better.

So you may find you don't get the job regardless of a good or bad credit report. Also, they will likely Google your name and research you that way for any negative things about you. And they may be running the background/credit check on several of you that they may be looking at for the position.

[Fallonedward]

Thank You, as I just completed week one at work. Pinching myself to make sure I'm still not in a dream. I guess you have to be in the right place at the right time, or just plain lucky. Best of luck to you, and keep us posted!

I'm so happy for you, hubby just got another rejection letter "we've decided to pursue another candidate"

[lookinupn09]

Thank You, as I just completed week one at work. Pinching myself to make sure I'm still not in a dream. I guess you have to be in the right place at the right time, or just plain lucky. Best of luck to you, and keep us posted!

[Flamingo]

A background check may not even go as detailed as you described..again..depends on the job position..USUALLY..it will involve again criminal history...yes employment and education..however that is normal in ALL jobs..CREDIT checks are not done in all job positions..

As far a BK being a public record..yes it is..but again..a possible employer will not dig deeper than is necessary for the position.

I work closely with corporate HR in my position and I can advise that most employers thoroughly check out employees from all angles due to all the issues of today as to embezzlement, fraud, falsified college papers, documents, references, etc. One should not get comfy thinking that a prospective employer will not focus on every possible area of one's life. Also be careful what one posts on Facebook or other social forums. One can be their own worst enemy.

[bkmystory]

A background check may not even go as detailed as you described..again..depends on the job position..USUALLY..it will involve again criminal history...yes employment and education..however that is normal in ALL jobs..CREDIT checks are not done in all job positions..

As far a BK being a public record..yes it is..but again..a possible employer will not dig deeper than is necessary for the position.

[backtoschool]

BK will be more of a issue in the banking/finance industry...even the insurance industry is becoming more lenient with credit...if you are looking at a position in a bank, the bK stands a greater chance of being a problem, a credit card processing company, yes BK could be a problem..A BACKGROUND check and a CREDIT check are TWO different items. A background check usually involves checking to see if you have commited any crimes, been arrested or charged with a crime. A credit check is for looking at payment history, financial issues or past BK filings. Don't confuse the two when it comes to a job search or you may end up offering information that is not necessary to getting the position.

Usually a thorough background check will include a credit check, a criminal check, a public records check, a driving record check, a workman's comp claims check, a check that your education is as stated on your application and a reference check. Past salaries and job length-of-employment/salaries may also be checked.

and in response to BKHELP138, although it is illegal to discriminate against bankrupt applicants, that of course will never be the stated reason a job is not offered, so there are ways around the laws.

In any case, your bankruptcy will most likely come up in either the credit check or the public records check of any pre-employment background check, so it is best to be prepared to discuss it if necessary.

[BKHELP138]

Bankruptcies. Bankruptcies are public record. However, employers cannot discriminate against applicants because they have filed for bankruptcy. (11 USC §525)



Source ..http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs16-bck.htm

[bkmystory]

BK will be more of a issue in the banking/finance industry...even the insurance industry is becoming more lenient with credit...if you are looking at a position in a bank, the bK stands a greater chance of being a problem, a credit card processing company, yes BK could be a problem..A BACKGROUND check and a CREDIT check are TWO different items. A background check usually involves checking to see if you have commited any crimes, been arrested or charged with a crime. A credit check is for looking at payment history, financial issues or past BK filings. Don't confuse the two when it comes to a job search or you may end up offering information that is not necessary to getting the position.

[helpme2010]

Helpme2010,

I did just that. Practiced the response, an honest one. And, the great news is, It looks like I'm hired!! Even I can't believe I am writing these words. Nearly 2 years out of work. Well, I will update again later, when I am actually on the job. Thanks for all responses and keep the faith!

lookingup, that is the coolest news. I am very happy for you and proud of you for hanging in there. You are also positive motivation for me when I get my interview and have to explain my bk. I would be happy to hear how you phrased it if you wish to share it.

congrats.

[OhioFiler]

I am in financial services and took a job right after discharge and then took a better job about a month ago. Both times I went through a thorough background check as part of the application process. When asked about my bankruptcy, I was honest, and I simply said that I had run into financial difficulties several years ago, and that I was glad that was all behind me and that I was on the road to rebuilding. I did not go into too many details, but did not gloss over it either. No one questioned beyond that, and my position is one with a good deal of responsibility and a high income. In this economy, many people, in all positions have been affected and have had to look to solutions that previous generations would not have considered viable options.

Hiring managers will choose the candidate they want long before the issue of credit is raised. If one approaches the job search with self-doubt believing his bankruptcy will disqualify him this attitude will reveal itself in the process. If one is confident in her approach the most likely outcome is what backtoschool experienced, that being the credit check is a mere corporate mandated policy with no real significance.