I'm often asked questions on credit history like this one:
Question:
HELLO CAPTAIN BOB!
Wow, what a week it has been. I completed my oral board for a department
last week. Out of 70 who went to the orals, only 60 passed.
Out of those 60 I am in the TOP 10!!!! YEAH! I couldn't have done it
without your Audio/Video program, and
the private coaching with you son Rob.
I am concerned that if I make to backgrounds that my credit history might blow it for me. The past several years have been really bad due to family problems and school. I don't have a bankruptcy or repossession, but credit is pretty screwed up. I have been fighting hard to keep my bills current, and they are at this time. I just don't want to lose my chance at my dream job. Any advice you could spare would be much appreciated. Have a great day Dwain.
Captain Bob's Reply:
Background
It's often not the problem, but how you write out an explanation for the background. Most candidates turn themselves inside out when a simple explanation is often all that is needed to resolve most of the situations.
You're in the hiring process. Let's take it one step at a time. The badge is there. There is only one person keeping you from getting it . . . It's YOU!
"Some times I think my mind would kill me if it didn't need me for transportation."
It's not the items of concern, but the when and why. Like most candidates that enter the hiring process, they get hyper vigilant and the voices of panic and guilt start running around in their heads.
When did these incidents happen? If it was a financial problem, what was your financial situation then?
For other problems and misdemeanors, has the problem happened since?
Was this a financial problem? Many candidates live on a shoestring trying to gain the education and experience to get this job. A couple of 60's and a 90 late are nothing if you were between jobs. For some, the biggest income they have last year came from their credit cards. Are the accounts current now? . The reasonable explanation like the one you gave above should be all that's needed for the background investigator.
One of our candidates had some outstanding bills. In his current background check he told the investigator told how he was resolving the problem. The investigator told him if he cleared them, he could go forward in the process. He did. He is going forward in the hiring process.
Question:
I have a background check in the future. I do not have a criminal record nor have I gotten a ticket for the last 8yrs. I did have a credit card company cancel my account due to late payments. This debt was passed over to a credit collection agency which I paid. I also have some late payments with my health insurance. Living in the silicon valley can hit your pockets hard ya know what im sayin!!!Does this hurt me in any way???Anyone?? I want to know what the fire department looks at when they examine your credit. I would really hate to be DQ ed due to my credit history. Any advice, comments,information would be appreciated on this issue.
Again, you know the background is coming up at some time. You want to
know what your credit report says about you. More than 30% of credit reports
have errors. A recent check on mine revealed addresses I never lived at, wrong
birthday, job experience and some of my sons credit.
Health insurance payments do not show up on credit reports. The best way to find
out about your credit is request a free copy from one of the 3 major credit
bureaus. Here are two:
Equifax Credit Information Services
Box 105518
Atlanta, Ga 30348
Phone: 877-463-5505
Experian
Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
Phone: 888-397-3742
If there is anything on your report that is not right, you can dispute it. The
disputed company has 30 days to respond. If they don't they will take it off.
Many don't respond. If you still have a problem with an item, you can add up to
a 100 word statement why.
Our "Nugget" skills work for any job or promotion.
Here's a testimony from one of the five badges that were received from our program this week:
Capt. Bob,
This letter is long over due. I contacted you recently (1 year ago), and
ordered your video package. I did this after noticing that many of your
students testimony on the bulletin board (PFC). I have many certs. to
speak of including Paramedic. The only hinder that I found myself
with was not passing the oral.
Since ordering the video and audio tapes, I was nailing the interviews.
Getting hired over the auxiliaries at there own dept., and with a heck of a lot
less experience. Your tapes and techniques helped me excel pass the
other candidates. I even had one cities Fire Chief personally call me at home to
set up a Chief's oral, ( had to decline, due to the fact that I was
at orientation for another dept.). To make a long story short, nothing
counts until you have the badge, nothing. For all of the candidates out
there that don't believe this, try passing and ranking #1 on orals with a
stuttering problem... I did.
Thanks Capt. Bob Dave FF/PM
As Dave said, "Nothing counts until you have the badge . . Nothing!"
"Captain Bob"
Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question
Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the books "Eat Stress For Breakfast" ISBN 09657620-3-3, "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.
E-mail: captbob@verio.com Web site: www.eatstress.com