Credit Checks for Programmers
Hi everyone, I' m new to the job search scene and was wondering what your thoughts were on credit checks for programmers. My first response is that it' s none of my employers business what my credit history is. I think I might even be a little defensive here because really, what does that show them anyway? This just seems nosey and pushy to me. How common are credit checks for new hires? Is it "ok" to refuse one and if so...any suggestions on how to do this without ruining my chances? I really don' t have anything to hide as I have pretty good credit, especially compared to many people I know. It just seems like such an intrusive thing for a programming job. I mean I can understand if I was applying for a personal finance job or say accounting where sound personal financial skills will hopefully carry over into the job but programming? And yes...I have been asked to agree to this when I applied online for a job. I haven' t recieved a call yet so I haven' t had to directly address the issue but I was tempted to not apply for the job when I saw that. Anyways, what are your thoughts? I think it would depend on what you were programming. If you worked for a bank or investment house, you could program the computer to slice off all the rounding differences for every transaction and put it in your account. If you worked for a corporation, you could reprogram the payroll program to move deducted taxes to your SSN to get a refund at the end of the year. You could program shipping orders to send merchandise to you for sale on eBay. It may be that the company has EVERY applicant sign the same forms and only runs the credit check on those who may have financially sensitive positions. Yes, you can refuse to sign the authorization but then again the company can refuse to hire you. Why? because you could access to their computer systems and could possibly steal ssn's and other personal infor for your own gain. I have seen it happen. What happens if you refuse? You won't get the job. In some types of companies it doesn' t matter what job you have, a credit check is required. Even if you' re working as a janitor, you' ll need a credit check if you' re working for a bank for example. In other cases it depends on whether or not your job gives you access to company assets. Keep in mind that company assets include handing cash (cashier at the 7-11), stock (stock room at the fabric store), and customer account information or company finance access. The last two mean that anyone who can mess with the company' s computers (such as a programmer) is probably going to get a credit check. You can refuse if you like but you will out of further consideration. Your choice. Ok perhaps I might be able to do all those things if I were employed by a bank but what would a security would a credit check provide to the hiring company? I don' t think it would give any security to them. I mean if someone is determined to steal, a credit check isn' t going to prevent that. Am I the only one that sees a credit check as an invasion of privacy??? The only reason I can see for a credit check would be if I were in a position where I had control over finances and my ability to manage my own personal financial situation might be an indication of whether or not I was able to perform in this job. Am I off base here? You' re preaching to the choir. Lots of people believe it is an invasion and that it isn' t an indicator of anything. When you own your own company, you' re free to ensure that is not used as part of the hiring process. Until then, however, you either have to get on board or move on to another company that doesn' t require it. It may not be fair, that' s reality. "I mean if someone is determined to steal, a credit check isn't going to prevent that." Not to mention that if someone is very good at stealing and has never been caught, they'll probably have a great credit history because money is not an issue. I'm guessing someone who steals and sells SS#s for extra cash doesn't have trouble paying their phone bill on time. There are a lot of people who cannot see the value (no pun intended) of doing a credit check outside of a position that is directly related to financial transactions. I am with this group. My job has nothing to do with finances and therefore I cannot see where my credit history correlates to my job duties. I have found out, though, that there will be occasions where my immediate boss and his boss will need to travel and I will need to make the arrangements, BUT.....the airline that is used and the hotel chain that they stay at are always the same. The airline and hotel have all the information on record where I will be able to just call, ask for a praticular person , state who I am and make the arrangements with no credit card information passing from one person to another. If there happens to be a problem, the finance department is notified and they take care of it. A lot of company's issue credit cards to their employees who have to travel on business or maybe order supplies and while the supplies are ordered on credit through an established supply company (Office Depot or similar) there may be need to go outside that supply house and get something where a credit card is needed. This also may just be a part of the standard credit check and even though it has nothing to do with your job in a direct capacity, the employers may feel better doing it. If your credit history is good it may indicate that you are responsible with your personal assets and therefore will be responsible while working and conducting your business. It also may be that, as said above, everybody in the company signs a release, but only a select few have their credit checked. It ain' t open to debate. If a company has the hr hoop of credit checks. They are gonna do a credit check. If the company has the hr hoop of taking a personality test. They are gonna do a personality test. If the company has the hoop where you need to pee in a cup. They are gonna do a pee in a cup test. If the comapny has an hr hoop where you have to stand on your head and spit nickels into a coffee cup... Guess what? The bottom line is fair is not the issue. The issue is YOU GET TO DECIDE what you will do to maximize your chances of a job. PERIOD. It might mean: Working on cleaning up your credit score as part of your employment search. It might mean stop doing recreational drugs while looking for a job. or Taking out nose rings before the interview (or at least keep it to a teeeny tiny post). or Quitting smoking.... or losing weight... or Practice spitting nickels Fair is not the reference. Life isn' t fair or you world not be unemployed. The job hunting decision is yours to make. How much do you want a job and what can you control. | |
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