Job offer subject to credit check

lilly81

I've been offered a job but it's subject to me passing a credit check.
I had some bad debts a few years ago, the final one I clear with a settlement discount on the 23rd March 2009
That was nearly 7 years ago
Will this affect my chances of getting the job?

w00519772

lilly81 wrote: »

I've been offered a job but it's subject to me passing a credit check.
I had some bad debts a few years ago, the final one I clear with a settlement discount on the 23rd March 2009
That was nearly 7 years ago
Will this affect my chances of getting the job?

Why not have a look at your credit report? There are three companies:

1) Noddle: https://www.noddle.co.uk/ (free)
2) Clearscore: https://www.clearscore.com/ (free)
3) Experian: http://www.experian.co.uk/ (free for 30 days - just cancel your subscription within the 30 days and you will be charged nothing)

If you look at all three then you should have a good idea of your credit history. The reason you should look at all three is because in my experience they can differ i.e. all banks do not report everything to all three and also you do not know which one your potential employer will use. You can sign up to each one and see your credit reports in minutes. Then you can report back to this forum for further more specific suggestions from people more informed than me.

[Deleted User]

Can I ask what does your offer suggest? Did you not say oh why, why
what would prevent me getting cleared? The nosey side in me would have to come out long before now! Rather then now relying on a public forum while I think there is no worry..

As widely reported they are more concerned with checking for IVA's and bankruptcy and *might* query defaults left that are showing as not settled on all credit report(s!!) so you really shouldn't have much problem.

Had an interview in a building society that was directly asked in an interview last year and more recently there was a job in insurance services I noticed which made it clear a credit check was a clear requisite as soon as you'd clicked to apply... (I was just wanting to be nosey on that when finding out why the company had despersed with the recruitment agency!) this is the way it should be.

CrowCrow

Depends on why they are checking. If you're debt free and been that way for years then you should be fine.

lilly81

It's for a bureau de change job. I thought the bad debt would of been removed but wasn't sure if it was 6 or 7 years.
I have checked my credit rating, the bad debt has been removed but Npower have recorded that I was 4 months late on a payment-which is untrue as I pay by direct debit so going to call them tomorrow to sort it then call the potentual employer to explain it

SomeRandomGuy

I doubt they will be concerned about 1 historic late payment on a utility bill. They will be looking to see if you have a load of debts that are all in late payment or default status, have been made bankrupt, have any fraud markers or are otherwise obviously in financial trouble or untrustworthy.

emilyrambal

Does my history of paying utility bills, like telephone, cable, electricity, or water, go in my credit report?

Undervalued

lilly81 wrote: »

Will this affect my chances of getting the job?

I don't think anybody here can give you a definitive answer to that. All they can do is indicate how other employers might view the situation.

Apart from unlawful discrimination (e.g race, sexual orientation, gender etc) an employer can set whatever requirements they like in deciding who to employ. So, if for some reason they are incredibly bothered about bad debts from many years ago that is their privilege.

Obviously if those debts are from so far back that they don't show on a standard credit report then they may struggle to find out. If you are directly asked the question then you need to reply truthfully as if they find out later it would be grounds for dismissal.

Mersey_2

emilyrambal wrote: »

Does my history of paying utility bills, like telephone, cable, electricity, or water, go in my credit report?

Yes, most do eg contract mobile monthly bills etc.

Ed-P

What sort of job have you applied for? I have never heard of a job that requires you to pass a credit check?!

Congratulations on becoming debt-free though!

agrinnall

Ed-P wrote: »

What sort of job have you applied for? I have never heard of a job that requires you to pass a credit check?!

1) The OP has already said what the job is.
2) Many jobs, especially those in the finance industry or requiring an element of financial trust, would be dependent on a credit check.