Can You Get a Job With Bad Credit? | Capital One (2024)

February 9, 2021 |9 min read

    You might know that credit can be important for things like buying a house or getting approved for a credit card. But did you know that in some states, employers can also check your credit when you apply for a job?

    Job hunting can be stressful. And worrying about how to get a job with bad credit can make it feel even more difficult. But you can still get a job even if your credit is less than perfect. Here are a few things to know about why some employers look at your credit and how you can minimize the impact of bad credit when applying for jobs.

    Why do some employers look at credit reports?

    When you apply for a job, the employer might do an employment background check to gather as much information about you as possible. And some of the information that appears on your credit reports might be reviewed as part of an employment background check.

    As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains, employment background checks look at information collected by specialty consumer reporting agencies. The information in these consumer reports could include things like:

    • Employment history
    • Medical payment history
    • Bank account history
    • Apartment rental payments
    • Rental and homeowners insurance claims
    • Auto insurance claims

    For certain jobs—like ones where you’re handling money, for example—employers might look at your consumer reports to get an idea of how you’ve handled finances in the past. Your reports might also help an employer gauge your overall ability to responsibly manage projects at work.

    Keep in mind that an employment background often looks at more than your credit. As the CFPB explains, an employment background check might also include a criminal background check and public records like bankruptcy filings and other court documents.

    Rules for employer credit checks

    The CFPB notes that an employer has to get written permission from you before conducting an employment background check that uses information from a consumer report. And if an employer decides not to hire you based on information in your credit report, the employer must provide you with an adverse action notice that includes instructions for how to request a copy of the report.

    An adverse action notice can be given orally, in writing or electronically. It should tell you that the employer decided to deny you employment because of information in a consumer report. The adverse action notice will include the name and contact information of the consumer reporting agency that supplied the report.

    And as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains, “You have the right to dispute the accuracy and completeness of any information in the report, and to get an additional free report from the company that supplied it, if you ask for it within 60 days of the employer’s decision not to hire or retain you.”

    Ways to minimize the impact of bad credit when applying for a job

    Now that you know a little more about why employers might check your credit report, you might be wondering: How do I get a job with bad credit history?

    There’s no one answer for every situation. It depends on things like the type of job you’re applying for, the employer, your specific credit history and many other factors.

    In some cases, the employer might not look at your credit report at all. And even if they do, a bad credit history may not be a deal breaker. But if you’re worried about how your credit history might affect your job prospects, here are a couple things to consider.

    Show why you're qualified for the job

    Don’t be afraid to put your talents on display and show the employer why you would be a great fit for the job. You can talk about your relevant work history, education, skills, life experience and so much more.

    For some jobs, your credit history might matter more than others. But showcasing your qualifications is always a good idea.

    Explain how your credit won't affect your job performance

    If you know your credit history isn’t great, the FTC recommends being ready to explain it to your potential employer and why it won’t affect your ability to do the job. You could even share how you’re proactively working to improve your credit.

    Ready to start rebuilding credit?

    Your credit is only one part of an employment background check. And even if you have less-than-perfect credit, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Rebuilding your credit takes time. But it’s never too late to start. And remember, your credit history doesn’t define who you are and what you have to offer professionally.

    A great place to start is reviewing your credit history. Your credit score is affected by a number of factors. So knowing what’s on your credit report will help you figure out exactly where you stand.

    Keep in mind: You have multiple credit scores and each is calculated using a different scoring model. Scoring companies like FICO® and VantageScore® even have different versions of their own scores. So you might see slightly different scores depending on what model was used.

    One way to monitor your credit is with CreditWise from Capital One. With CreditWise, you can access your free TransUnion credit report and weekly VantageScore 3.0 credit score anytime. And it won’t hurt your score. CreditWise is free and available to everyone—not just Capital One customers.

    You can also request a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 12 months.

    See if you’re pre-approved

    Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit score.

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    Can You Get a Job With Bad Credit? | Capital One (2024)

    FAQs

    Can You Get a Job With Bad Credit? | Capital One? ›

    It depends on things like the type of job you're applying for, the employer, your specific credit history and many other factors. In some cases, the employer might not look at your credit report at all. And even if they do, a bad credit history may not be a deal breaker.

    Will an employer not hire you if you have bad credit? ›

    California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Vermont, Delaware, Nevada, Colorado and Washington ban employers from discriminating based on credit in most cases. All 11 states with bans have exceptions. A common one is for jobs at financial institutions or that require handling money.

    Is it hard to get a job in Capital One? ›

    Getting a job at Capital One is not as difficult as you think. It is a large company with over 10,000 employees and many locations around the country. With so many jobs open there are a lot of chances for you to land a job at Capital One.

    What credit score is too low for a job? ›

    There is no minimum credit score for a job. Employers do not even have access to your score but some may check your credit history as part of the hiring process, especially if the job involves financial responsibilities or access to sensitive information.

    Can I lose a job offer because of bad credit? ›

    In those instances, an employer can review a credit report, not a low score, and deny them employment based on that. Note that certain legal requirements come with rejecting a potential employee based in whole or in part on information contained in a credit report.”

    Can I be denied a job because of my credit report? ›

    The general rule in California is that an employer may not consider acquire or consider a person's credit report in making job decisions except for applicants for or employees in: managerial positions. positions with the state Department of Justice. law enforcement positions, including peace officers.

    Can you be denied a job because of debt? ›

    Employer credit checks have a huge impact on applicants. According to a report from think tank Demos, one in 10 workers with credit card debt say they've not been hired because of their credit report. About one in seven of those with poor credit histories say their credit report was the reason they weren't hired.

    Is Capital One easy to get approved? ›

    You need a credit score of 700 or higher (good to excellent credit) to get the best Capital One credit card offers. Other options are also available for people with lower scores, as it is possible to get approved for Capital One credit card with limited credit history or a bad credit score.

    How long does it take to hear back from Capital One for a job? ›

    How Long Does It Take to Hear Back from Capital One After Assessment? The hiring process of Capital One can take up to 2 months.

    Does Capital One always do a hard pull? ›

    Avoiding a hard credit check: Capital One pre-approval results in a soft credit check, which won't affect your credit scores. Once you decide to apply, there will likely be a hard credit check, which can result in a temporary dip in your credit scores.

    What credit score would disqualify you from a job? ›

    Know Your Rights. Before diving into employment and credit laws, let's dispel a myth that's been perpetuated online. When you hear things like “a bad credit score can prevent you from getting a job,” it's actually not true. That's because employers don't pull your actual credit scores like a lender might, says Griffin.

    Can you get fired for having bad credit? ›

    While it's unlikely that a lousy credit score will get you canned, it's much more likely to stop you from being hired in the first place, it certainly can happen, especially if you're in one of the states that don't restrict the use of employer credit checks.

    Do jobs ever check credit score? ›

    Keep in mind that while employers can legally pull your credit report, it's one of many factors that go into getting hired for a new job. But there is a simple way to appear just as good on your credit report as you do in your job interview: Make sure you always pay your bills on time.

    Can an employer deny a job because of bad credit? ›

    In the majority of states, employers can deny you employment if you have bad credit. Some states and cities have passed laws that prohibit the practice, though there are some exceptions, such as for jobs in the financial sector.

    Will I get hired if I have bad credit? ›

    Keep in mind that it is possible for your potential employer to deny you a job due to poor credit. This may be due to the fact that poor credit could pose a risk for fraudulent activities.

    How do you explain bad credit to a job? ›

    A letter explaining bad credit should be honest and transparent. Acknowledge your financial situation, and explain any extenuating circ*mstances that may have contributed to it. Honesty is critical since any lies or omissions will inevitably come to light and could jeopardize your job prospects.

    Do employers check credit score before hiring? ›

    Many companies will conduct employment credit checks as part of their hiring processes. Although employers don't have access to your three-digit credit score, the other information in your credit report could be the difference between getting your dream job and getting passed up.

    How to explain bad credit to potential employer? ›

    A letter explaining bad credit should be honest and transparent. Acknowledge your financial situation, and explain any extenuating circ*mstances that may have contributed to it. Honesty is critical since any lies or omissions will inevitably come to light and could jeopardize your job prospects.

    Will a job ever ask for your credit score? ›

    Why Do Employers Check Your Credit Score? Approximately 51% of employers include a credit check for employment, according to a recent survey of HR professionals. Companies do this to get additional insights into candidates and look for potential red flags.

    Can your credit score affect your employment? ›

    While credit scores are not generally used to make hiring decisions, employers can see and be influenced by your credit history, which would include closed and open lines of credit, any foreclosures, student loans and other aspects of your financial behavior.

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