That text cost me my job – five ways to ruin the interview

It may have been the week of your dreams. A cruise through Polynesia or bar hopping in Mexico. Whatever happened, you aren’t too keen on everyone knowing about it, least of all potential employers. As quick as social networking is, it won’t take long before that photo of you snorting a cocktail through your nose is plastered all over the internet. Why is this bad? Because this photo may prompt your potential employer to review your credit report and score. The question then becomes, can employers check your credit score?

Potential employers can review your credit report which displays much more than a number. It also reports your personal finances. Social media and bad credit are just two ways to really mess up that job interview.

Credit Report

Employers can get a background check on potential employees. Companies are the benchmark of our economy, and in much the same way a potential landlord can, companies have to right to look into those people who will be handling a company’s assets. So, does this mean you can’t get a job with bad credit? Not at all. Very few companies actually do check a candidate’s credit.

About 13% of employers check credit reports for any potential candidates, while almost half of companies check credit reports for select positions.

Companies check credit reports for many reasons:

For positions handling money: Not only do they want to know if you would be prone to steal money, but they also need to know if you would be able to manage money.

Decision making: Employers need to know if you are prone to consistently making poor decisions.

Responsibility: Responsibility in a person’s personal life is often equated to responsibility in work life.

Social Media

As described above social media can kill a lot of things. Whether you are caught partying naked on the beach or spend your time posting expletives on Twitter, social media is a new fad that no one is sure will ever end. So before you apply for that job make sure you do a little editing to your Facebook page.

Smart Phones

Apparently, one of the new pests in the interview room are smart phones. Both, Interviewers and interviewees have been caught checking a phone call or text message while the applicant is being interviewed. For the Interviewer it is in bad taste, for the interviewee this could cost you the job.

Talking Salary Too Early

While it is important to discuss your potential salary, you want to take it slow. The last thing you want to do is sit down and ask, “So what are you willing to pay me?” Not only do you come off as unprofessional, but it shows an employer where your priorities are, and will make them wonder if you will jump ship for the next, better offer.

Don’t ask about Promotions

Like discussing salary, it is poor judgment to ask when you can expect your first promotion. An employer wants to know that you understand the importance of training and growth within a company. They don’t want someone who will do only the requirements to get promoted and ignore the rest of their job. It’s important to portray yourself as a team player, rather than a rung-jumper.

There are as many ways to be a successful interviewee as there are to not be. Dress professionally, shake hands firmly, know who you are interviewing with, be prepared, and smile. These are the basics, but in a changing world you need to be prepared for those 13% of companies who will look deeper.

By reviewing your credit score, you can find potential discrepancies in your report, as well as look at what you need to do to improve your credit and determine your own creditworthiness. Improving your credit can take time, but by paying your bills on time and decreasing your debt you can quickly emerge from the blanket of fearing credit checks. No matter how bad your credit is; you can always turn it around.

Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of writing articles on Bad Credit Loans and advising people to get mortgage even with bad credit. Follow her on Twitter to know more on more on ways you should avoid for saving your interview.