For the first time, my credit rating prevents me from a job interview

[graywarrior]

I just applied for a job online. Because of my less than desirable credit, before I even got to fill out the application, I was denied a job.

Damn.

[elehhhhna]

1. If they used your ss # to check your credit, you might want to make

sure the posting wasn't a scam...
A phoney job listing would be a great way to troll for personal info.

[CornField]

2. Was this a job where you would be working with money?

I guess I can understand those in the financial field not wishing to hire those who have bad credit histories and, therefore, might be more prone to embezzelment. I cannot, however, justify one's credit rating being used to refuse general type employment. It just seems terribly wrong.

[tk2kewl]

3. thats f'ed up

goes to show the only american value left is $$$ way more valued than ability

[dweller]

4. technically, and i stand to be corrected

you should not have to supply that info (SS#) until you are filling out tax info once you have the job.

I wouldn't send it over the internet for any reason regardless.

dp

[TwilightZone]

6. Many potential employers do credit checks, so obtaining

an applicant's SSN would be part of the job application process.

[meow2u3]

8. The original intent for job applicants' SSN's

To report income and taxes withheld to the IRS and FICA; in other words, for tax and Social Security purposes.
All other reasons for SSN's are illegitimate, including credit checks.

Why should three private corporations decide who gets to work and who doesn't? This is un-American.

[TwilightZone]

14. Sorry, but that's inaccurate.

Credit checks are legitimate, particularly when the applicant is applying for a job handling large amounts of money, credit cards, etc.

I guarantee that if you apply for a job in the card processing department of any company that prints credit cards that you will be required to provide your SSN for a credit check. I spent several years at one, and a credit check was a prerequisite to the interview process.

The same holds true for many financial institutions, the Federal Reserve Bank and its branches, the US Mint, etc.

[classof56]

5. Most unfortunate that they didn't look beyond your credit report.

Something terribly wrong with that. A couple of years ago, I relocated and while opening an account at a new bank (former one had no branch here), even though I had a rather significant amount of money to deposit, my credit was checked to be sure it was "acceptable" before I was allowed to do set up the account. And I hear most banks do business that way anymore, so wouldn't have done me any good to take my money elsewhere. Didn't know that a job could be based on a credit rating, though. Glad I'm retired, though if Bush succeeds in reducing my pensions so his rich buds can get richer, I may be back in the job market. Guess I'd better check my credit score before I apply...

What an ugly world he's created for us. Damn indeed!

[graywarrior]

7. I applied online to Whole Foods after talking with someone at the store

I couldn't even get to the application form before I received the message that I did not qualify. No way to explain that a car accident kept me from working for two years and put me in the hole. Just a big DO NOT QUALIFY based on information you provided.

[DebinTx]

9. You need to look at your credit report

and you most certainly can put a letter into the report stating that you were in a car accident, etc.

[KansDem]

12. Really? "Whole Foods?"

Isn't that the natural food store offering an alternative to the corporate-processed food-like products?

I thought they were competitors like "Wild Oats" and others. I occasionally shop there when Wild Oats (my first choice) is too far away

This saddens me: I thought as (what I perceived to be) a defender of the environment, a promoter of nutritious natural food, and offering alternative choices for food and drink, that it would also be less "corporate" in its approach to employee/worker relations.

Are you certain it was your credit rating? Have you considered a call or visit to speak to someone in charge?

(I recently picked up an application from Wild Oats and didn't see a field asking for SS#, but then I haven't yet carefully looked it over to fill it out).

Isn't there suppose to be a disclaimer on applications indicating that a credit check is mandatory?

[elehhhhna]

15. how do you know they didn't use the number to somply determine

your AGE? Demand a copy of the credit report from them asap. Anyone who checks it must give you a copy, no charge, upon request.

I've been in staffing & HR consulting for Fortune 50's to Mom & Pops, and NEVER HEARD of a pre-interview creit check. Never.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. hell, Wal-Mart checks your credit rating if you apply there

[SaintLouisBlues]

11. A softer, gentler debtors prison

n/t

[KansDem]

13. "A thousand points of blight..."--part 2

I'm sick and tired of the Bush Family running this country...:(

[graywarrior]

16. My credit points are around 560, too low

I did work for Wild Oats in Maine in 2003. They are a great company, not as corporate as Whoe Foods seems to be. Also, the CEO used to run Ben & Jerry's, I forget his name, but he does a good job for Wild Oats. And their application process is actually fun. You get to draw a self portrait of yourself.

I have seen lots of people in their 50's working at Whole Foods, so I am not sure that it would be an age thing.

And I think I will go down to the store and talk to the store manager. Cripes I have enough experience being a macrobiotic cook, demo coordinator, etc, you'd think they'd want to at least talk to me.