Is it difficult to get a job if you file bankruptcy?

It is a standard notion for the employers to check the credit reports of the employees before they are selected for a job.

It is an applied norm that for people with bad credit getting a job becomes difficult. Most of the pre-employment screening agencies request for full background checks that includes a check of criminal records, driving records, education, and employment history. The reason being, many companies believe that trustworthiness and creditworthiness go together.

According to recent reports it is seen that about 50 to 70 percent of the companies review your credit reports before giving a job offer. It reveals your bankruptcy status along with liens, judgments, loan and credit card payment history. There are instances where hundreds of people with poor credit scores have filed for bankruptcy. However, the business owners are of the view that your personal take on things reveal your management skills as an individual. When you get into a job sphere you are imposed with various responsibilities. Your employers will take into account your varied characteristics like:

• Your risky financial habits •Your trustworthiness so as not to leak out company information.
• If you are subjected to bribery The employers feel that a bad credit is a proof of little responsibility and less regard for secrets. However under the Section 525 of the U.S.

Bankruptcy Code employers are prohibited from discriminating against applicants for a job because of a bankruptcy filing. Moreover the job applicants and employees up for promotion are not under legal obligation to update the employer about their bankruptcy status. Under Sections 604, 606, and 615 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act the employers are required to follow a specific set of rules while reviewing your credit reports.

1. .Employers must notify you in writing before using your credit for job evaluation.
2. If your employer or potential employer finds discrepancies on your credit reports, they must send you a "pre-adverse action disclosure." It acts as a notification to gives you time to fix any incorrect information on your credit reports.
3. If you are fired from your services by an employer due to some information on your credit report, he must provide you with an "adverse action notice."

The notice has contact information for the credit reporting agency supplying the report. If your report is not accurate you can dispute it with the agency and request an additional free report within 60 days. The standard procedure that is followed is that for jobs where you are sure to get your credits reviewed, be upfront and honest about your bankruptcy and the reasons. If you are not sure whether or not they will review your credit, give your best performance. Once they like you can easily make them understand during the final interview session.

If an employer wants to reject you on the basis of bankruptcy, they can easily do so and can claim that they rejected you for another reason. However if you are selected for a job and then rejected later on the grounds of bankruptcy, your chances of putting a strong case increases. It is thus advisable that you get copies of your credit report. Review them carefully and if there are any inaccurate and incomplete information on your reports, remove them immediate. You can also get assistance from a bankruptcy attorney who specializes in such cases. If you can handle things the right way you can easily end up with a job even with a bankruptcy filing.