HOW CHECKING YOUR CREDIT REPORT COULD HELP SECURE THE JOB YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

Equifax provides job seekers with advice on how a potential employer may look at their credit report before offering them a job

www.equifax.co.uk

London, 14th May 2012 - When applying for a new job, everyone knows the importance of getting their CV fully up to date. Any inaccuracies could really affect the chances of securing that vital first interview. But, as Equifax, the leading online credit information provider, is highlighting, it’s not just the CV that needs to be up to date. Equifax is also urging job seekers to think about how their credit report may look to a prospective employer.

“There will be a number of employers who will want to review a job applicant’s credit report as part of their assessment process, especially if the job is in the financial services sector or involves having to deal with money,” explained Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax. “With the job market so fierce, job seekers need to make sure that the information on their CV and credit report is accurate, in order to guarantee that they are in the best position possible when applying for that dream job.”

“The public information on an applicant’s credit file, if not correct, could potentially reduce their chances of getting past the first stage. Companies must inform an individual if they plan to carry out a credit check on them but simply requesting a copy of their credit report before applying for a new job will ensure you as the applicant knows exactly what a future employer could take into account. It’s just another step in the ‘references’ process”, continued Neil Munroe.

Equifax is therefore offering the following advice to job seekers about what employers may see when they apply for a job.

Credit File Advice for Job Seekers

1. Verifying your identity - employers may want to check you are who you say you are and will look at where you are registered on the Electoral Roll to verify the address you provided on your CV. So make sure you are signed up to the Electoral Roll at your current address.
2. Financial status - particularly relevant for jobs in the financial services sector or if the position involves money, employers will look at any history of County Court Judgments (CCJs). These stay on your credit file for six years. It is important therefore that if you did get into financial difficulties in the past you add a notice of correction to your credit file so that potential employers can see the circumstances that led to this.
3. Bankruptcy - if, unfortunately, you have been declared bankrupt in the last six years, this will show on your credit file, even though the actual bankruptcy status only lasts for one year. Again, it’s worth adding a notice of correction to your credit file so that potential employers can see the circumstances that led to this.
4. Repossessions - if you have voluntarily given up your home or had it repossessed, this will show on your credit file. Again, you should add a notice of correction to your credit file so that potential employers can see the circumstances that led to this.

“In the current climate, the key is for consumers to be as informed as possible in order to manage all aspects of their finances - and that includes getting a new job”, concluded Neil Munroe. “The Equifax Credit Report, with the facility to access credit information free for the first 30 days, gives consumers a valuable insight into their credit status. And now Equifax members can have full access to their credit report via a variety of smart phone devices anywhere and at any time with our unique mobile app.”

The Equifax Credit Report is accessible for 30 days free simply by logging onto www.equifax.co.uk. If customers do not cancel before the end of the 30 Day Free Trial, the service will continue at £6.99 per month, giving them unlimited online access to their credit information and weekly alerts on any changes to their credit file. It also includes an online dispute facility to help them correct any errors on their credit file simply and quickly.

The Equifax app is available free from the Apple iTunes Store on iPhone and iPad and from Google Play for Androids.

Ends

For further press information please contact: Louise Fowler, Clare Watson or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: louise@harrisonsadler.com

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer and commercial information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 18 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.