Jobs with FSA companies post bankruptcy?

rabb

I'm currently in the application process for 2 jobs, both with FSA regulated companies but not banks or insurance companies. Entertainment & maintenance companies.

I went bankrupt Aug 2010, have I got any chance of getting the jobs or will my endless misery continue?

Destroyed by teaching since 2007..............

Annisele

Are they the sort of jobs where you'd be personally carrying out controlled functions? (If you don't know what I mean, they're probably not).

If you'd need to be personally on the FSA register, then your bankruptcy might be a problem - you and your employer would have to demonstrate that you were a "fit and proper person" to carry out the function, and while there's generally no absolute bar on ex-bankrupts it would be much easier for the employer to demonstrate that somebody who's never been bankrupt was "fit and proper". (Edit: I'm not trying to be offensive with the "fit and proper"; it's an FSA term. FIT gives some details and specifically states that the FSA will "have regard" to bankruptcy. If you're wanting to become the chief exec of Barclays, they probably care more about bankruptcy than if you're wanting to give financial advice under close supervision).

coinxoperated

Coming from a financial service background, I believe any company where you sell contracts/deal with money/give financial advice will require a relatively squeaky clean credit history! Although I guess some could be talked round.. if you got past the interview!

Deep_In_Debt

I come from a Financial Services background as does my ex OH. Ex went BR and continued to work in financial services, not the same firm though. He does an admin job and doesn't give advice or handle money and the firm are fine with his situation.

rabb

thank you all so much for the replies. :j

Well the one job, and I'm further advanced in the application with that one is with Virgin Media in the customer collections department, so I guess I would be taking credit & debit card payments via telephone off customers who've fallen behind.....:eek:

In the other job, which is a tad better paying & more typical office hours it is a customer complaints administrator, where I respond to customer complaints. That is only through an agency at this stage though so very early days, during the interview with the agency I was asked a variety of Qs. E.g "Have you ever been dismissed from a job" Plus he asked if " I was bankrupt or in an IVA?" I just said no, as that's at least the truth! I didn't want to divulge further for obvious reasons.

rabb

Annisele wrote: »

Are they the sort of jobs where you'd be personally carrying out controlled functions? (If you don't know what I mean, they're probably not).

If you'd need to be personally on the FSA register, then your bankruptcy might be a problem - you and your employer would have to demonstrate that you were a "fit and proper person" to carry out the function, and while there's generally no absolute bar on ex-bankrupts it would be much easier for the employer to demonstrate that somebody who's never been bankrupt was "fit and proper". (Edit: I'm not trying to be offensive with the "fit and proper"; it's an FSA term. FIT gives some details and specifically states that the FSA will "have regard" to bankruptcy. If you're wanting to become the chief exec of Barclays, they probably care more about bankruptcy than if you're wanting to give financial advice under close supervision).

thank you so much for the detailed reply.

rabb

OFFERED A JOB! But.......I've been offered a job with Virgin Media, got as far as sending them my bank details etc and they've sent me the contract online (which I don't need to do anything with, if I haven't contacted them with 2 days they'll consider ....blah or something to that effect).

Unfortunately, I know for a fact that credit checks are part of the screening. I only learn this at the interview, it just said pre-screening in the initial application.

So I'm in the unfortunate position of being offered the job but soon to have it withdrawn?

The email letter with the attached contract explicitly says "offer may be withdrawn if satisfactory screening result is not...." or something to that effect. REALLY GUTTED, I presumed that screening would be conducted before a job offer was made! interview was mid last week, offered job via tel & then email paperwork yesterday.

I know 100% that credit checks will be a factor as job involves collecting payments over phone.

I went bankrupt exactly 2 years ago? Am I waiting for the inevitable axe then? (I wish credit checks would at least take into account a person's elongated credit history, prior to 2010 I'd never missed a payment for over a decade! Oh well the cost of bankruptcy!

Mands

rabb wrote: »

I went bankrupt exactly 2 years ago? Am I waiting for the inevitable axe then? (I wish credit checks would at least take into account a person's elongated credit history, prior to 2010 I'd never missed a payment for over a decade!

Then that is what you tell them. You need to make sure that they hear about the bankruptcy from you before they do the credit check. Depending on the circumstances, and their own internal policies, they can choose to employ despite it.

I would get in touch and say something like:

When you carry out a credit check on me you will find that I was made bankrupt in xxxyyy; the total owed to my creditors was zzzzz. The circumstances that led to this were aaaaa. Prior to 2010 my finances were in good order and I had never missed a payment in the previous decade; since my bankruptcy my finances have been in good order.

If you need any further information or clarification on anything relating to this I would be more than happy to assist in any way that I can.


What is important is that the appearance of the bankruptcy doesn't come as a surprise when they credit check. By telling them, and making sure that the amounts and dates are right, you've shown yourself to be open and honest. By being upfront you have the chance to explain how this came about, how you've dealt with it and how it won't be an issue going forward.

There's no guarantees but you have nothing to loose by trying.

Best of luck,
Mands

vardmac

What happened?