can you work in the finance industry work a poor credit history ?

[mr smith]

Got into a mess about 5 months ago when my father was terminally ill and missed a few payments on credit cards and defaulted on a loan.

I was in my final year at uni, whilst working part time and having to help out my mum at home.

My father died and since then i have been able to get back on top of everything and agreed to reapy my loan by increasing my repayments.

However I have a job interview working in finance and its at the final stage, should I tell them stariaght away or leave til they perfrom a credit check.

[katangel26]

Hi mr smith, if it were me I wouldn't mention it unless they ask. If they don't and then do a credit check and pull you up on it, I'd say you didn't think it was worth mentioning as you've sorted it out, if anything it makes you perfect for the job as you've experienced both sides of the financial rollercoaster!

[Oneeyedvic]

I disagree - in the finance industry trust is everything as is full disclosure. If you don't disclose something which you think is relevant, I'd say it shows bad judgement.

If it helps, when I started working in the industry (5 years ago), I had a couple of defaults from 4 years prior to that. Didn't affect me.

[Miss-taken]

your credit history is of absolutely no interest to any employer - finance or otherwise. The only time where you would have to disclose it is if you had a CCJ or had been bankrupted (or something similar). Unless you have some kind of judgement against you, no need at all to tell propective or current employers.
I am an accountant by the way and have never ever had a credit check done on me (job wise) and even if an employer did want to credit check you - they would be obliged to tell you first!

[Oneeyedvic]

I work in finance (dealing with both personal and business loans, leases , hp etc) and my previous employer credit checked me.

[chitchat]

Miss-taken is mistaken! I worked as a mortgage advisor and they do complete credit checks on you, but they do inform you before hand. I would ask them at the interview if they do credit searches and explain things to them if necessary. But honesty is always the best policy. Good luck with the interview.

[mr smith]

I would be fine explaining why i got into difficulty but worried if i just come straight out and say why, there going to be concerned and if i leave till they possibly find out through the check, they may think im trying to hide it.