If you have past experiences that you feel will hinder your job search, it is important to confront and address the past so you can move on to your next position. The most common issues job seekers face include poor credit, gaps in employment and a history of being fired from jobs. Use these situations to your advantage, and overcome these issues with potential employers by being up front.
According to a report from the Society for Human Resource Management, approximately 47 percent of employers run credit checks when screening potential applicants. The good news is 80 percent of employers that were surveyed reported that they hired applicants with poor credit history if they had the right qualifications for the position. Unfortunately, the survey indicates there is a 20 percent chance of being passed over for a job based on credit history.
When conducting a job search with poor credit, the best thing you can do is add an explanation to your credit report. All three credit bureaus allow you to add 100-word explanations to your credit report to explain financial hardships or any other pertinent information that explains why you had difficulties paying your bills. Explaining the situation increases the odds of an employer viewing your credit history as situational rather than a reflection of your level of responsibility.
Another potential setback during a job search is gaps in employment. The worst thing you can do is not explain why you were unemployed. With unemployment rates being high over the past several years, employers are more likely to understand periods of unemployment. However, it is essential to explain the circumstance, whether you had to take a leave of absence for medical reasons or you were laid off. If you volunteered or participated in any professional organizations during your periods of unemployment, add this information to your resume to offset periods of unemployment,.
If you were fired from a previous position, be upfront with potential employers during a job search, but at the same time, you do not have to advertise that fact either. Do not list the reason you left the position on your resume and use another employment reference if possible. If that position comes up in an interview, be honest and explain the situation. Avoid placing all of the blame on your previous employer, as this shows you cannot take responsibility for your actions. Instead, admit what you did wrong and explain what you learned from the experience.
No matter what situations you have dealt with in the past, disclosing information to potential employers works to your advantage by showing that you are honest. In addition, if you take the time to explain previous experiences, such as financial difficulties and periods of unemployment, it shows you recognize the importance of your background when applying for a job.
No matter what your background is, your past will only affect your job search as much as you let it. Although having poor credit and a less-than-favorable employment history can affect your job search, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the impact of previous events. Move beyond your past by showing you are honest and able to admit responsibility when it is called for.
(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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