Recently, we’ve seen a sharp rise in the number of career seekers with bad credit ratings or criminal records. Sadly, many of them aren’t aware of the major influence a bad rating or record can have on a career.

Perhaps you’ve been retrenched and can’t afford to pay your bills. You decide to avoid your debts and lay low until you’re earning again… Or, you get pulled over by the police on your way home from a party where you only had 2 beers… Or, you get fined for negligent driving because you’re driving in the yellow emergency lane in heavy traffic…

These mistakes, made by many South Africans each year, either end in a bad credit rating or a criminal record. However, it doesn’t just end with a note on a personal identity verification rating agency’s system. The reality is that a bad credit rating or a criminal record may prevent you from advancing your career or finding the perfect job.

So, what do you do if you already have a bad credit rating or a criminal record?

Firstly, you need to understand that you may never get a job with any of South Africa’s biggest employers in the Banking/ Financial Services/ Insurance or Financial Software industries. Working at these companies means working with large amounts of money and there are strict rules that stop anyone with a bad credit rating or a criminal record from working in these environments.

However, it’s not all bad news… While most companies want people with clear results, they are also fair. Many will look at the individual situation before they make a final decision.

If you have a bad credit rating, potential employers will look at:

• How much you owe? And, are you are paying back your debt?
• How many judgements/ issues do you have on your record? The more problems you have, the less likely you are to get the job.
• To whom do you owe money? Defaulting on a home, car or credit card debt is viewed more seriously than a small issue with Edgars.
• How recent the judgements? Older issues that you’ve done nothing about will ring alarm bells.
• Do you have an active plan – which you’re sticking to – to clear your record?
• How honest are you about your financial problems?