Laid off and cannot get a job due to bad credit history?

burdon1

In November 2013, I was laid off from my Job of 10 years due to no work and the firm going into liquidation.

I am in the last 12 Months of an IVA. I contacted the company I have the IVA with and they have given me a 6 Months "Payment Break".

My payment break is from January 2014 - July 2014. I have to restart paying from 02.07.2014. My Initial Debt was £28,000 I am now down to £6,000. The IVA is now due to finish in October 2015.

I am currently on JSA (£72 a week-ish) and I have applied for numerous jobs. I get through the paper sift, and have also passed interviews, but not been given the job. I have also had applications declined.

When I have challenged / asked for feedback, I have been getting the same response. My credit history is bad, so due to company policy they cannot process my application?

I am in a frustrating catch-22 situation. I cannot get a Job because I owe Money and I cannot pay the money because I cannot get a Job.

I have even considered starting working for myself, but this is also impossible because I have used all my savings since being laid off and have nothing to start a business up with.

Does anyone have any advise or experienced what I am experiencing?

Kayalana99

Does every job these days do a credit search? That seems a bit mad?

Also - starting your own business does not have to cost money - you could offer a leaflet delivering service £20-40 per 1000 is going rate in my area...that's just one idea that has no money down. Walk into a few takeaway shops...etc

ms_night_ryder

Whatkind of jobs are you applying for? im not sure all places do a credit check, I just got a job and they did not do one.

emmy05

bank jobs require credit checks i think, as well as some bailiff jobs (i think)

burdon1

Mainly customer service jobs, as this is what I did for 10 years.

I have applied for the following:

* Call Centre Jobs (Sales and Non-Sales)
* Call Centre Jobs (Customer Service)
* Housing Jobs
* Retail Jobs
* Recruitment Consultants
* Rental Companies

I have looked into it, and it appears to be any job where either cash is handled or you take payments from customers etc.

I have passed phone interviews and when they have invited me for a one to one, they have advised that they will complete 2 checks, the first being a criminal check (which is fine) and the 2nd being a Credit Check.

I looked into leaflet delivery in my area, and there are already loads of people doing it, and if I cut cost them, I would be working for near enough nothing.

I have even looked into dog walking etc. but they dont want to pay minimum wage.

Most temp jobs dont require a credit check but they are temp! which is ok, but in a few weeks, I would be starting out again.

I am looking for a career, I have never been out of work before, and it is sickening for me. I spend 6+ hours per day looking for jobs....

ms_night_ryder

Sign up to an agency and start temping! if you are as desperate as you claim anything that involves getting paid will do right?

have you heard the saying it is easier to get a job while in a job? it really is true.

*edit* you didn't actually say desperate, but I am assuming you are because you have only 4 months of payment break left, jobs are hard to come by nowadays.

burdon1

Looks like Agency Work may be my next option. Thanks?

ms_night_ryder

At least that way you can pick and choose your career direction, whilst earning money and not stressing over how you will pay your debt.

If you get sick of one place, its easy to move on to another, temp jobs sometimes lead to perm jobs, so you never know.

Wizzbang

Never ever heard of any employer checking your credit history! Not unless you are applying for classified governement work or with another employer, a high level job where you would be responsible for a lot of money. Obviously you would not look good to them, nor would you probably be much good in a role like that with that kind of history- so that would be understandable.

To what kinds of industries are you applying and for what kind of positions? It sounds to me like you need to change your tack slightly.

burdon1

As mentioned above, mainly customer service roles.... I never heard of credit checks prior.... When I started in my old job 10 years ago, I didnt need one.

I spoke to a an Advisor at the Job Centre and he advised me that they have been completing credit checks in these industries for about 4/5 years now.

Just because someone is in an IVA doesnt mean they are a criminal, but thats how these people make you feel.

System

Most places don't actually credit check you, they just ask you about your finances and it would be immoral/potentially a breach of contract to fail to tell them but that would be your judgement call.

ALL of my friends work in high risk, financial or otherwise, sectors, and only two of them have credit checks and this is because they also need government or bank of England clearance for what they do.. I would say that you're probably not being credit checked by many of these jobs and instead they're turning you down because you've stated you've got debts, which is the moral/correct thing to do.

Perhaps if you joined a temping agency they would help you get a job as it is usually presumed a temping agency vets that kind of thing, when often they
don't.

Good luck to you x