---
title: What Employers Look For On Your Credit Report
description: "In many states, employers can run credit reports on prospective employees to make hiring decisions. Here's how to get your credit report \"hired.\""
image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-23T132819.466-1.jpg
---

[![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog)

 Filter by Category**

- [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog)
- [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security)
- [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance)
- [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto)
- [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business)
- [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score)
- [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home)
- [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards)
- [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes)
- [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance)
- [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments)

 Filter by Category**

- [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog)
- [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security)
- [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance)
- [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto)
- [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business)
- [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score)
- [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home)
- [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards)
- [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes)
- [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance)
- [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments)

### Posts by Topic

- [Personal Finance (262)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance)
- [Home (164)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home)
- [Life Changes (109)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes)
- [Credit Cards (92)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards)
- [Security (74)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security)
- [Credit Score (69)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score)
- [Auto (60)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto)
- [Checking (54)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/checking)
- [Business (48)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business)
- [Investments (36)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments)
- [Mortgage (32)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mortgage)
- [Savings (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/savings)
- [Scams (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams)
- [Work (28)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/work)
- [Debt (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debt)
- [Holidays (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays)
- [Money Management (22)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/money-management)
- [Hanscom FCU (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/hanscom-fcu)
- [Home Ownership (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-ownership)
- [Credit Report (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-report)
- [Government (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government)
- [Home Equity (18)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-equity)
- [Budget (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/budget)
- [Mobile Banking (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mobile-banking)
- [Investment Property (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investment-property)
- [Saving Money (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/saving-money)
- [Insurance (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance)
- [Taxes (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/taxes)
- [Children (13)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/children)
- [College (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/college)
- [Financial Wellness (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/financial-wellness)
- [Retirement (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/retirement)
- [Community (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/community)
- [Online Banking (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/online-banking)
- [Estate Planning (8)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/estate-planning)
- [COVID (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/covid)
- [Deals (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/deals)
- [Death (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/death)
- [Shopping (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/shopping)
- [Fraud (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/fraud)
- [Mass Save (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mass-save)
- [Teens (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/teens)
- [Divorce (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/divorce)
- [Travel (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel)
- [ATM (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/atm)
- [Baby (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/baby)
- [Debit Cards (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debit-cards)
- [Motorcycles (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/motorcycles)
- [Weddings (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/weddings)
- [Boats (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/boats)
- [Charity (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/charity)
- [Family Finance (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/family-finance)
- [Lending (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/lending)
- [Credit Unions (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-unions)
- [Green (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/green)
- [Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical)
- [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets)
- [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account)
- [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account)

# What Employers Look For On Your Credit Report

** [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/hanscom-federal-credit-union) ** Apr 05, 2021

![young woman at job interview with credit report](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-23T132819.466-1.jpg)

Getting a job is more than sending in your résumé, sitting through multiple interviews, and providing great references. Employers want to ensure they make the best hiring decisions, so they've turned to a surprising tool to help them hire smart: your credit report.

 

That’s right. Many employers will look at your report (not your actual [credit score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/credit-score-obsession)) to give them an idea of what kind of employee you’ll be. This might be puzzling to you. After all, how does your credit report tell them what kind of teacher, salesperson, engineer, or food server you are?

An employer can use your credit report to learn more about you than an interview or résumé will ever tell them, like how responsible, trustworthy, and honest you are.  A credit report can also help them choose between two equally qualified candidates.

### **What Employers Look For on a Credit Report**

An employer who pulls your credit report may be looking for these things on your credit report and make certain assumptions about how they would affect your job performance:

- **Liens** - Tax liens or liens on your property could indicate you're irresponsible.
- **High credit utilization** - If you're maxed out on your credit cards, it could indicate you're over your head financially and can’t stick to a budget.
- **Bankruptcies or foreclosures** - Either of these could suggest that you have trouble keeping your commitments and can’t think long-term.
- **Delinquencies** - You’re stressed about money and won't be able to focus on your job.
- **Lots of account activity** - Opening additional lines of credit in a short period of time could mean you're desperate.

A prospective employer might also use your report to confirm the information presented in your résumé. For instance, if you state on your résumé that you were gainfully employed and making a good salary yet your report shows you had lots of credit problems during that same time, that could raise suspicions you weren't as forthcoming about your salary.

Federal law allows employers to look at a **modified version** of your credit report (no account numbers, birth year, or references to your spouse). However, they must get **written permission from you **beforehand. Fortunately, these employer searches do not show up on your report so other employers or lenders won’t see the activity. And if your report prevents you from getting a job, the employer must let you know and provide you with a copy of the report. Employers in [some states](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/can-prospective-employers-check-your-credit-report.html#:~:text=At%20least%20ten%20states%20\(California,hiring%20or%20other%20job%20decisions.) cannot pull credit reports or have restrictions on how they can use credit information. If your state allows employers to run a credit check on job applicants, it must follow rules set out by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which are detailed [here](https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/using-consumer-reports-what-employers-need-know).

### **Bad Credit? Here's What You Should Do.**

If a prospective employer requires a credit pull before they'll make you an offer, be proactive if you feel your credit report is going to give them an unexpected and nasty surprise.  Let them know why you have negative information on your credit report and tell them how you’re trying to meet your obligations, especially if it’s due to a [health issue](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-steps-to-handling-medical-bills), [divorce](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/repaying-debt-after-divorce), unemployment, or other major life change, something many employers can sympathize with. Your transparency could help your chances of getting hired.

Better yet, work at fixing the report before you start your job search. Make a habit of getting a copy of your free yearly report at [annualcreditreport.com](http://annualcreditreport.com/). Check it carefully for [errors ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/the-only-way-to-remove-accurate-negative-items-on-your-credit-report)and if you find any, call the credit bureaus to get them corrected. In fact, it's a great idea to check your credit report even if you know your credit history is admirable. There could be a mistake on there that costs you a great job.

Just remember: a single late payment might be the deciding factor in whether you versus someone else gets the job. If you’re considering a job switch, be meticulous with your loan payments and spend responsibly.

 

Did you know Hanscom FCU offers free credit report and score reviews for members? If you're about to start looking for a job, make sure your credit report is in tip-top shape before you zap off a resume. We have credit experts who can meet with you virtually to discuss how to improve your score, remove incorrect information from your report, and even help you spot fraud. Learn more [here](https://www.hfcu.org/credit-score-review.html).

[![Get a free Credit Score Review](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/b13728df-1cb3-4aea-a79e-dfdfc42dfb2a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/b13728df-1cb3-4aea-a79e-dfdfc42dfb2a)  

*Others are reading:*

- <https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-pay-your-credit-card-early>[3 Good Reasons to Consider a Higher Interest Credit Card](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-good-reasons-to-consider-a-higher-interest-credit-card)
- [5 Surprising Things I Learned About My Credit Report](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-things-i-learned-about-my-credit-report-and-score)
- [5 Surprising Ways You Can Hurt Your Credit](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-surprising-ways-you-can-hurt-your-credit)
- [Credit Know-how: The Difference Between a Soft and a Hard Inquiry](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/credit-know-how-soft-vs.-hard-inquiries)
- [The 4 Sections of Your Credit Report](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/the-4-sections-of-your-credit-report)

** [Debt](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debt), [Work](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/work), [Credit Report](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-report)

[**

 What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket 

](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) [**

 How to Negotiate the Best Car Deal 

](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-negotiate-the-best-car-deal)

### About Author

![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg)

Hanscom Federal Credit Union

Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch.

Related Posts

[![Navigating Financial Challenges After a Job Loss](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/iStock-1444494544.jpg)

Navigating Financial Challenges After a Job Loss 

](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/job-loss)

[![What You Need to Know About Buy Now, Pay Later Financing](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/buy%20now%20pay%20later%20in%20store.png)

What You Need to Know About Buy Now, Pay Later Financing 

](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-buy-now-pay-later-financing)

[![5 Ways to Cash Your First Payroll Check](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/young_woman_depositing_payroll_check_easydeposit.jpg)

5 Ways to Cash Your First Payroll Check 

](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-ways-to-cash-your-first-payroll-check)

**

- [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/why-employers-check-your-credit-report/)
- [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/why-employers-check-your-credit-report/)
- [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/why-employers-check-your-credit-report/&summary=&source=CeBIT)

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

 The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

### Comment

### Subscribe To Blog

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### contact

**Hanscom Federal Credit Union**  
1610 Eglin St.  
Hanscom AFB, MA 01731  
Call us: [800-656-4328](tel:8006564328)

[https://www.hfcu.org/](https://www.hfcu.org/)

### About Us

[The MoneyWisdom Blog](https://www.hfcu.org/the-moneywisdom-blog.html)

### Social

**

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

### https://www.facebook.com/HanscomFederalCreditUnion

The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

### https://X.com/HanscomFCU

The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/

The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/

The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union

#### **Please read the following before proceeding to:**

### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion

The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.

### Popular Posts

[What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust)

![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg)

[What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket)

![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg)

[6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water)

![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg)

[23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors)

![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg)

[9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery)

![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg)

### Recent Posts

- [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing)
- @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/)
- Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf)

**Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information.

```json
{
     "@context": "http://schema.org",
     "@type": "BlogPosting",
     "mainEntityOfPage":{
        "@type":"WebPage",
        "@id":"https://go.hfcu.org/blog/why-employers-check-your-credit-report"
     },
     "headline": "What Employers Look For On Your Credit Report",
     "image": {
          "@type": "ImageObject",
          "url": "https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-23T132819.466-1.jpg"
     },
     "datePublished": "2021-04-05 13:45:00",
     "dateModified": "April 5, 2021, 1:45:00 PM",
     "author": {
         "@type": "Person",
         "name": "Hanscom Federal Credit Union"
     },
    "publisher": {
         "@type": "Organization",
         "name": "Hanscom Federal Credit Union",
         "logo": {
             "@type": "ImageObject",
             "url": "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg"
         }
     },
     "description": "In many states, employers can run credit reports on prospective employees to make hiring decisions. Here's how to get your credit report "hired.""
}
```