Why the HELL...

[Just-Legal]

... Do I have to pass a credit check to work in a bloody call centre? I have a CCJ that occured four years ago. It will be on my record for another two. Because of this, I can't work within most, if not all, of the financial sector.

Why?

 

[bluebell]

You're just too damned rock n' roll for that riff-raff?

 

[Just-Legal]

You're just too damned rock n' roll for that riff-raff?

Normally I'd laugh but this whole situation is insane. I worked as a manager for two bloody years with a team of eight staff, half of whom were older than me, but 'cause I screwed up when I was eighteen I can't get a job telling some bloke if he can have a loan or not? I mean, what?!

 

[MagicaPractica]

I've heard of this but I don't understand it either.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I think the rationale is that they don't want anyone involved in even the more remote arms of financial institutions to have a motivation to start looking for inside angles. Of course, weeding out people with bad credit doesn't stop those who are simply greedy rather than desperate.

 

[bluebell]

Normally I'd laugh but this whole situation is insane. I worked as a manager for two bloody years with a team of eight staff, half of whom were older than me, but 'cause I screwed up when I was eighteen I can't get a job telling some bloke if he can have a loan or not? I mean, what?!

I'm more than willing to give you *huggles & snuggles*...but only if you agree to submit to a credit check.

Oh god, I am so mean. *attempting to suppress evil grin*
I'm sowwy, flufflet.

 

[JamesSD]

Credit checks are becoming a lot more common in the hiring process. Of course, the credit bureaus are encouraging it, because it means more money in their coffers.

Unfortunately, 90% of Americans have at least one error on their credit report. The major companies actually maintain a separate set of files for celebrities, politicians, and other people who would likely raise a stink if their credit report was wrong, and those files are carefully checked. The rest of us? If they make a mistake, we have to deal with the red tape.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

*hugs*

Its amazing that they might actually think something on a credit record might afftect someone being crabby on the phone. (I was just joking there so no one hit me just yet.) Shit happens sometimes and sometimes it ends up on a credit record. It doesn't mean the person in unreliable or anything. It makes you want to give them a good walloping for even thinking that way but there doesnt seem much anyone can do about it. One tip I always give people is to make up for it go into your interview (if not weeded out before) and just wow the hell out of them. Half the time they'll take you either way if they are impressed.

 

[Just-Legal]

I just saw my credit report. My ex needs to die... I am NOT putting the bills in my name this time, despite loving and trusting the fiance thoroughly, once burned twice shy.

Well. That's set me back another five or so years.

Posting my CV on Monster seems to be working though, I've had a few e-mails about positions in Leeds and such. I may have to dig out my interview suit and dye my roots...

 

[Chantilyvamp]

I just saw my credit report. My ex needs to die... I am NOT putting the bills in my name this time, despite loving and trusting the fiance thoroughly, once burned twice shy.

Well. That's set me back another five or so years.

Posting my CV on Monster seems to be working though, I've had a few e-mails about positions in Leeds and such. I may have to dig out my interview suit and dye my roots...

Darlin have at least one of the bills in your name. It'll help rebuild the credit. Plus if you run into any of the funny bullshit of 'prove your not a threat' they often ask for a utility bill in your name.

 

[Just-Legal]

Darlin have at least one of the bills in your name. It'll help rebuild the credit. Plus if you run into any of the funny bullshit of 'prove your not a threat' they often ask for a utility bill in your name.

Yeah, maybe. I've just spoken to someone from an Agency I was applying for a few jobs with who's basically told me most, if not all, Call Centre jobs these days require you to pass a credit check. I just want to cry, I *can't* go back into Retail I'm just not able to cope with it. Does that make me sound snobby?

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Yeah, maybe. I've just spoken to someone from an Agency I was applying for a few jobs with who's basically told me most, if not all, Call Centre jobs these days require you to pass a credit check. I just want to cry, I *can't* go back into Retail I'm just not able to cope with it. Does that make me sound snobby?

No darlin it doesnt make you sound snobby at all. It just means retail work isnt for you. And that would be very frustrating being told that you might not be able to get the job you want.

 

[S-Des]

No darlin it doesnt make you sound snobby at all. It just means retail work isnt for you. And that would be very frustrating being told that you might not be able to get the job you want.

The exact same thing happened to Kiten, who lost out on a good paying job that she had already been promised. It's infuriating, because the only reason she has credit problems is because of her ex. It has nothing to do with your ability to do a good job, and it's sad that they will lose out on a good employee because they're too stupid to ignore whoever advised them to do that crap.

 

[Just-Legal]

The more I think about this the more infuriated I get. Its *insane*, I can manage a team of people, almost double the profits on the area, handle various managers as well as signing off payroll etc, but I can't answer a damn PHONE?!

What's the point? Its like fate is teling me to sit on the damn dole...

 

[BlackShanglan]

I'm sowwy, flufflet.

She said "flufflet."

It's adorable!

 

[BlackShanglan]

I just want to cry, I *can't* go back into Retail I'm just not able to cope with it. Does that make me sound snobby?

Heavens, no. I've learned one thing very clearly in my life - the "service industry" is my idea of hell. I confess with some shame that there's still, deep down at heart, a little foal in me stamping its foot and bawling "It's not FAIR!" when I have to maintain calm and pleasant decorum with someone determined to behave in an ugly fashion over something that is inherently his or her own fault anyway. Ugh. I truly hope you don't end up back there.

And I'm so sorry about the ex. I have one ex who still can't get a phone line in the ex's own name because the ex's deranged (and frequently incarcerated, but clearly not frequently enough) father has already run up thousands of dollars of bills in all of his five children's names. He started that when they were still in elementary school. We shan't even go into what he got up to with the social security numbers of his own brother and his deceased father, both of which he lifted when his brother allowed him to stay in his home to attend their father's funeral. He's quite a piece of work.

The advice on interviews is good. If I might add to it just a bit, speaking as someone who has done interviews: be prepared to be asked about the credit problems, and make sure that what you present is primarily a solution focused on you rather than a complaint focused on someone else. Yes, your ex is the source of the problem, and you should acknowledge that in order to make it clear that you are not an irresponsible person. But you don't want to sound helpless and victimized (however horribly like that you may feel) because your primary purpose at the interview is to sell yourself as a person who can solve whatever problems are thrown at you with grace and wit. If you present this as an important challenge you're overcoming and have learned from rather than something you have no control over, you can spin this toward a positive. You might also find it useful to minimize your ex's role - "one of those lessons everyone has to learn when they get out of school and start living in the real world," or something like that. If you spend much time painting him as a irresponsible bounder, you'll distract them from yourself and also call your own judgement into question (since you dated him). If you're calm, collected, and focused on what you've done that's been effective, you'll emphasize the elements you want them to focus on.

Best of luck on the job search.

 

[tickledkitty]

You give great advice, Shanglan.

 

[Just-Legal]

Aye you do, thanks Shang. I'll muse on it a little more, but basically they use the credit search before the interviews so *shrug*.

 

[SeaCat]

LOLOLOL

Here in Florida they do a Credit Search if you wish to rent an apartment. They also did a credit search when I applied to the Hospital.

Did you know that repeated queries to your credit rating can raise red flags and harm your rating?

Cat

 

[Just-Legal]

LOLOLOL

Here in Florida they do a Credit Search if you wish to rent an apartment. They also did a credit search when I applied to the Hospital.

Did you know that repeated queries to your credit rating can raise red flags and harm your rating?

Cat

Yes I do, which is why I've flat out refused to apply for any job that needs one. I was straight with everyone that I wouldn't pass it.

 

[bluebell]

Darkling, is it not possible to beat the door down anyway?
I mean, it's very difficult (and the credit report may be an absolute do-or-die sticking point), but can you just very sweetly, nicely, and prettily hound someone for an interview?
Like I said, even though it's hard, it can be done- and it seems to pay off.

If you did wrangle a meeting, they might still enforce the credit report, but you would have already had the chance to verbally counteract a negative effect (per Shanglan's glowing advice).

And I must concur with the wise souls who say you are absolutely reasonable to demand something that isn't retail.
Working in retail would make the most evil people weep and leave them sitting in mushy, self-soiled knickers.
Let alone someone sensitive and prone to health issues like your own sweet self.

*squeezy hugs*

She said "flufflet."

It's adorable!

Though it's more of a horsey activity, I should very much like to nuzzle you, Shang.

 

[Just-Legal]

Darkling, is it not possible to beat the door down anyway?
I mean, it's very difficult (and the credit report may be an absolute do-or-die sticking point), but can you just very sweetly, nicely, and prettily hound someone for an interview?
Like I said, even though it's hard, it can be done- and it seems to pay off.

If you did wrangle a meeting, they might still enforce the credit report, but you would have already had the chance to verbally counteract a negative effect (per Shanglan's glowing advice).

And I must concur with the wise souls who say you are absolutely reasonable to demand something that isn't retail.
Working in retail would make the most evil people weep and leave them sitting in mushy, self-soiled knickers.
Let alone someone sensitive and prone to health issues like your own sweet self.

*squeezy hugs*

Most of the positions are filled through agencies, who are told to obtain permission for the checks. No check, no interview. I tried getting a job without one before, and its just impossible, they assume you have something to hide, even if the situation si explained. Its crazy.

However! I'm currently doing my CV for an office position, working for Mercedes, the moneys a bit low but there's plenty of room for progression and I've heard they're a good company to work for so finners crossed!

Edited to add:

a) I hate doing CVs because I suck at selling myself

and

b) I'm changing my line to "Darkling Flufflet". I may also have to make a Druid called Flufflet.

 

[bluebell]

Most of the positions are filled through agencies, who are told to obtain permission for the checks. No check, no interview. I tried getting a job without one before, and its just impossible, they assume you have something to hide, even if the situation si explained. Its crazy.

Those damn...goober heads.

However! I'm currently doing my CV for an office position, working for Mercedes, the moneys a bit low but there's plenty of room for progression and I've heard they're a good company to work for so finners crossed!

I will try to control my current state of excited bounciness for you. I'll just keep sending telepathic messages to the Merc people instead.

I hate doing CVs because I suck at selling myself

Lordy, I hate it too. It's such a terrible pit because you know you're a good worker and you really do have lots to offer an employer, but then in the back of your mind you're thinking "Who the hell could puff themselves up enough to say this without sounding arrogant?"
Which is wrong as well because arrogance and confidence are two very different entities.

My mother always said "Every no is one step closer to a yes."
And she also told me to write thank-you notes after an interview.
Sometimes good things fall into our laps, lovey. I sure hope this happens for you.

I'm changing my line to "Darkling Flufflet". I may also have to make a Druid called Flufflet.

I'm flattered and laughing at the same time. I suppose that means I'm flaughing.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I'm flattered and laughing at the same time. I suppose that means I'm flaughing.

She's flaughing herself fluffy, the floofy flufflet.

"Nuzzle" is quite possibly my favorite word in the world - such lovely associations. But then, "redolent" always manages to play a tight game as well.

 

[Just-Legal]

Right, enough of the "world is out to get me" attitude. I have:

- Bought a new suit for interviews/first day of work. Full set: Jacket, two pairs of trousers, shirt and shoes. And DAMN do I look fine in it.

- Fired off my CV to jobs I might even vaguely be a possibility for on Monster.

- Topped up my phone in anticipation of whoring myself on the phone.

I AM going to get a nice job that pays well and I am NOT going back into retail.

Hah!