subject: Is It Hard To Find A Job After Chapter 7 Or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? [print this page] Filing for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy is certainly a move in the right direction if you are under overwhelming amounts of debt but you must make sure that you don't file right back into debt. The best way to get back on your feet is to make sure that you have a job with a steady paycheck.
But is it more difficult to get a job after you have declared bankruptcy? Not really. Although it is becoming more and more common for potential employers to do credit checks on potential employees, your credit score would still have been quite low if you did not declare bankruptcy. Your credit score probably isn't ideal by the time you are ready to fiel for Missouri or Illinois Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy anyway. Bankruptcy will actually allow you to start rebuilding your credit and getting it back up to where you want it to be. Also, there are a few simple steps you can take in order to minimize the effect that your bankruptcy will have on possible employers.
First and foremost, be honest with your employer if they ask about your credit score or let you know that they will be pulling your credit records. Often, a bankruptcy is due to some catastrophic event like job loss, medical emergency, or a death in the family - if this is the case, let your interviewer know. If your bankruptcy was not due to an unforeseeable life event, explain that you have taken measure to reclaim your life and rebuild your credit. Especially with the recent financial crisis, employers will often understand that you have seen hard times and that hiring you would not be a risk.
Filing bankruptcy actually shows how responsible you really are. It means that you've taken the steps necessary to get credit card debt help, protection from foreclosure, or relief from those harassing creditor calls for you and your family. You got help from an experienced Missouri or Illinois bankruptcy attorney because you knew you could no longer handle the debt that you were under and still needed to protect your family. If you explain that to any employer who questions the existence of a bankruptcy on your credit, he or she will most likely understand and could even respect you for it.
