Find a job after bankruptcy
After a successful bankruptcy filing, debtors get a fresh start in their financial lives. No more harassing phone calls, obnoxious letters, and the unrelenting stress of where to find the funds to meet your obligations. If you need to look for a new job after filing for bankruptcy and fear the effect filing for bankruptcy may have on your chances of getting hired, take heart. The law continues to extend to you the protection you need to put your life in order.
Be sincere and sincere
Employers cannot legally ask you in an interview whether or not you have filed for bankruptcy. Even if you are applying for a cash handling position, such as an accounting or payroll job, they are prohibited by law from openly asking you about your financial history during a job interview.
However, most employers conduct a credit check as a routine part of the hiring process. This is especially the case when the position to be filled has fiscal responsibilities. Before they can check your credit history, they need your permission to do so. An employer may refuse to hire you if you deny this consent.
If you consent, a potential employer will find out about your bankruptcy filing because these are reported on your credit report. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy generally stays on credit reports for seven years, while a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is reported for 10 years.
In this case, handle the situation as openly and honestly as possible. Treat the interview as an opportunity to explain the circumstances of your bankruptcy filing, something a credit report cannot do. If you have taken steps to address events related to your bankruptcy, mention those as well. It is crucial that a potential employer see you as a mature and responsible person who learns from past mistakes and can take concrete steps to move in a positive direction.
Get great recommendations
Include as many professional and character recommendations in your job application as possible. While these do not need to focus on or even mention your bankruptcy past, it is important that they present you as a consummate and completely trustworthy professional who is an asset to any potential employer.
Filing for bankruptcy is a wake-up call for most people. The experience teaches them to take control and responsibility for the financial, personal, and professional aspects of their lives. It makes them more aware and highly appreciate the opportunities that life offers them. Overall, it’s not a bad profile for a prospective employee, and most employers would probably agree.