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So I have this issue with jobs and credit checks. I lose my job. I get into debt keeping myself afloat until I get a new job. I max out all my cards and manage to get a job interview just as I run out of money. I am then told my job will run a credit check and that my debt can make me not get a job. So how do I pay off my debts with no job!? Its like this vicious circle.

For most jobs, just having a lot of debt will not cost you the job. They are looking for more serious things - serious delinquencies, charge-offs, a bankruptcy or judgement against you.

What kinds of jobs are you applying for? The credit check will be more of an issue with jobs that have you handling money.

I have a job now although it took awhile. I worked in banking for 5 years and witnessed a few fellow employees get fired and charged for stealing money. The majority of these people were well off but saw an opportunity and took it. I just feel it creates a horrible precedent to assume someone is to much of a risk to handle money or hires in general because they are deep in debt but you'll hire the 18 yr old with no sense of the value of money as a bank teller handling a $50,000+ cashbox.

I probably sound naive and venty but I just feel people get into bad spots not always through fault of their own and a person should be judged on past job performances not on how much money they owe MasterCard or if their house went into foreclosure because they could no longer make their mortgage payments.

I think this is why I view saving as so important. I have seen a lot of my friends go through this cycle, and it seems like as soon as they break even, they start living at a higher level that either eats or exceeds 100% of their income, so they have nothing to fall back on if they fall on hard times again.

The only time a job credit check actually hurt us was when DH applied to become a state policeman. Basically - they didn't want someone with a ton of debt because they worry that those people would take bribes easier and possibly steal money and things from the guys they are arresting.

To even be considered we had to clean up our credit - and DH still didn't get the job - whatev.