Interviewing and Credit

Image by Casey Serin via Flickr

We talk to thousands of job seekers every week and we hear first hand how the economy has impacted them directly.  Most of us know people who have been hit really hard.  This is why I was floored when I came across a recent article by Lisa Pulliam Weston who writes for MSN Money and The Los Angeles Times.

She writes, "Many employers -- including the federal government -- routinely scour credit reports on current and prospective employees to help decide who's hired or fired."  So regardless of your desire to find a public or private sector job, most companies are using your report as factor prior to making a job offer.

** Update:  Some states are considering banning this practice.   As of now it is still legal and a matter of practice at most companies.

Companies and the federal government routinely check credit but this recent downturn in the economy has made maintaining a positive credit score more difficult. The Society for Human Resource Management reports 35% of companies pulled credit on current or potential employees last year, up from 19% in 1996.

Most people think their credit will not be a problem, however, credit files can contain correctable errors.  Employers are looking for severe marks on your credit history and will generally overlook a few late payments.

Not knowing what is on your credit file is a gamble you should not take. There are many steps you can take to improve your credit and remove items that are old or not accurate.  It all starts with knowing what your credit looks like. Mrs. Pulliam suggests checking your credit a few times a year.

Cheers,
Mike

Now is the Time To Get a More Prestigious Job

More job seekers get new and better jobs in the first few months of the year than at any other time of the year.

You may be pleased to learn that the first few months of the year are typically the months where qualified professionals most often "move up" in terms of the prestige level of their jobs. Now, before we get too far into 2010, is a once-a-year opportunity that will be over before you know it.

As I am sure you are aware, the job market has been improving a great deal since the beginning of the year and thousands of peoples have "moved up" and found great positions-even those who were formerly happily employed in other jobs.

Every year after the first few months of the year I hear a surprising number of success stories:

• A large number of people "moving up" from small to larger employers with greater benefits, prospects and salaries;
  
• People getting jobs in their dream cities;
  
• People finding their dream job with one or more of the following: fewer hours, a better work environment and more interesting work.
  
  

What Can We Learn From Marc Cenedella, The Founder of TheLadders.com

Announcing a new event where Marc Cenedella, The Founder of TheLadders.com, will be joining us to discuss entrepreneurship. TheLadders.com is the world's leading and largest online marketplace for $100K+ jobs and $100K+ job seekers. It's also the 3rd largest job searching site after Careerbuilder and Monster. TheLadders.com has received numerous accolades including the 2009 Webby Award for Best Employment Website, 2009 Best Companies to Work for New York, 2009 Silicon Alley Award - Most Likely to be Worth $1 Billion and "Best of the Web" designations by BusinessWeek and Forbes.

You Need to Bring a Singular Focus to Everything You Do

Career Tip of the Week

Those who do one thing well are more valuable and wanted than those who can do many things not so well. This is what separates those who make the biggest impact from all the others who are just as smart. Any person or group of people who achieve greatness in any calling generally do one thing in the best possible way. Bring a singular focus to your job search and do what you do as well as it possible can be done.

FREE Interactive Job-Seeker Webinar: Finding the Unadvertised Job using Social & Professional Networks

The recent proliferation of social and professional networking websites has added a complex new dimension to the job search process. During this webinar, Bob Larson, CPC, President of Berman Larson Kane, former Chairperson of the National Association of Personnel Services and author of the book " Aim, Shoot, Get Hired" will compare the most popular sites and discuss the job search possibilities these sites offer. If you're confused by invitations to join a group on LinkedIn, or to connect to a "friend" on Facebook, we'll show you why you should consider saying "Yes" to these invitations, and how these sites can play an important role in your quest for employment.

Be Ready to Take Risks

Career Tip of the Week

Are you stuck in a job which is not satisfying? Many employees hate their present jobs, but they stick to them because they feel changing jobs is tremendously risky for their careers. But remember: To grow in life, one needs to explore opportunities and be positive. So, take risks and get going!

The Buzz: April at Freelancers Union

Get Paid, Not Played!
Have you ever had trouble getting a client to pay? Over 77% of freelancers have, so we’ve launched a new web page dedicated to the effort to pass legislation protecting independent workers from deadbeat companies. Add your name to the campaign, and join us on our April 12 strategy phone call as we take the campaign to the next level!

Health Care Reform and You
The bill is signed into law, but how does it affect independent workers? Founder and Executive Director Sara Horowitz answers your questions about how health care reform affects you and speaks to Fox Business about how the new law helps freelancers and about what steps still need to be taken.

NYC Entrepreneurs Networking Reception at Pulse

Announcing a new meetup at Pulse Restaurant and Bar. The venue will be private for NYEBN members from 6 - 10 PM. The venue overlooks the entire Rockefeller Plaza. The event is made free for all NYEBN members on the RSVP list. To support our venue partners, you're supposed to get one drink minimum per person. Please check out the following details before you RSVP


1. Venue

Pulse is a unique restaurant that overlooks Rockefeller Plaza, a bar and cafe area where everyone can relax and grab a drink. Pulse is a great space if you are planning to surprise your partner with a romantic dinner or just looking for a fine dining restaurant with a friendly atmosphere and amazing views. Among other things the private event space is utilized to celebrate any special occasion such as company parties, corporate functions, birthdays, graduations and more. In either setting, Pulse staff is dedicated to providing an upscale experience with superb service to ensure that every detail is perfect. To check out their website, go to pulse-restaurant.com