Recent Graduate Job Seeker

pinpin18

Hi!

I am a recent graduate who is currently signed up to an agency that is finding me job interviews in London.

Although that I am fairly confident that I should secure a job within the next month or so, I am in the position where I require a 0% interest credit card to be able to afford a new suit, transfers to and from London for job interviews (currently living with parents in Peterborough) and my first and last months rent on a room in London when I move down, which I could begin to pay off as of my first pay cheque.

Thus I was wondering if anybody could give me advice on how I could obtain a credit card for this period and who I should choose.

I did initially try Barclaycard's online application, but as I have no steady income they immediately informed me that I couldn't get a card with them, and I have a feeling that many other banks will follow this same trend.

Any advice would be fantastic, and I have a feeling that many people are in my shoes with this situation!

Thanks

PinPin18

Voyager2002

Are you signing on for JSA?

If so, ask them about help with getting a suit, and for rail fares to attend interviews.

Oh: you can almost always find a reasonable suit in the local charity shops if you keep looking.

Once you have a signed contract of employment, you are likely to find that your bank becomes helpful with funds for things like a room. Until then, it would be wise to avoid any borrowing.

trikidy

Judging from presumtions about you I would say you couldn't get a 0% card.
Being a recent graduate I guess you've not had a good history- if any- with credit cards (could be wrong). Also if you lived in student accommodation I'm guessing you are not on the electoral roll at your home address.

But I could be wrong and you would have a very good credit history, if so your best bet would be with Tesco CC.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/best-0-credit-cards#tesco

Similarly you could get a loan with your bank on a low interest, or even a low interest CC, such as sainsbury 6.9%.

pinpin18

Hi again!

Just to clarify a few things looking at responses.

Although I did go to university I was lucky enough never to need an overdraft or credit card, so my current debts at the moment are only those cheeky student loans that I start paying back automatically when I am working full time.

The issue with the online application process is that it doesn't allow you to say that you are desperately seeking a job and have quite a few interviews lined up, and that the starting basic + commission for most of these jobs is enough that I will be able to start paying back in good chunks once I start getting pay cheques.

Hope this makes things a bit clearer for the lovely people giving advice!

Thanks!

pinpin18

In terms of electoral rolls, I haven't signed up to any from what I can remember, I didn't know this had an effect?

Sharon87

How about apply for a Graduate account with overdraft facility. These are mostly 0% for a year. If you opened a student account when at uni it would have been converted to a graduate account.

guesswho2000

With no current income and not being on the electoral roll, unfortunately your chances are very slim; that said, when you get a job, investigate the possibility of season ticket loans (usually interest free) from them, it's been an option with most of my employers.

Once you have a contract of employment, and are appearing on the electoral roll, you may have more chance with a card or loan, but until then can you borrow money from family for a suit maybe?

trikidy

Yes, not being on the electoral role will have an effect. Sign up to noddle.co.uk and check if you are on the electoral role (I believe it tells you on there). Also check that nothing is amiss on your credit report.

pinpin18

Hello again everyone!

I have signed up to noddle.co.uk, which has informed me that I have a credit report of 4/5 and that I am on the Electoral Roll.

Maybe things are looking up for old pinpin18!

But does this mean I should be okay to get a card?

pinpin18

UPDATE: I did an application with Barclaycard, this time they said;

"We reached our decision using information from Equifax PLC, a credit reference agency. Their details are:"

And then some company, but it didn't actually tell me what their decision was! Frustrating!

trikidy

Yeah you should easily be able to get a sub prime card, but be aware that the more applications you make, the harder it is to get one! The searches go on your record.