There go my chances of working at the Apple store :(

[hayesk]

They also may have found someone they liked "better" since telling you that you got the job.

 

[MacVixen]

My application to the Apple Store and my previous job, I had to agree to both a Criminal and Financial Background check.

My previous employer didn't like something in my Financial as well, and they had to get a bunch of signatures of approval before hiring me - even though the job had nothing to do with money (it was an IT position at a school).

I got my current job because the people are awesome and they decided to call all my references (which included a previous job handling cash) instead of using a credit report.

Here's another interesting article:

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2009/07/29/should-your-credit-report-cost-you-a-job

Well yes, you are correct about the approval being obtained during the application process. That's how it was with Federated Department Stores as well. However, the actual checks themselves were not run until a person was actually hired. The store I worked received HUNDREDS of applications each month - there was no way that backgrounds were run on every single person that applied. It would have been far too expensive, so I stand by my original assertion that the checks are only run on hired or seriously considered applicants. And when/if an employee was upfront about their situation, then we absolutely took it into consideration.

I don't know the status of the proposed legislation that you linked to, but I absolutely support it. I do think it is unfortunate to use credit scores as a reason to deny a job, and as I stated my employer did NOT do that, only used criminal background and social security checks. By using credit scores, it does seem to leave those already in precarious financial situations in an even worse cycle.

 

[Merkava_4]

paola105, if some distraught unsatisfied customer goes in there next month and mows everybody down with a machine gun, you'll be glad you didn't get the job.

 

[andymodem]

Thanks everyone! I do feel much better. This isn't the end of the world haha. I'm sure I could try re-applying at the Apple store in a few months or so and hopefully it will work out. I will definitely try to get a copy of my credit to see whether it's really a cause.

If you think it may be your credit that caused you to not get a job, sign up for one of the services that give you access to your report to monitor it. After you get it, do an online dispute on all the negative items on your report. The creditors will then have to verify the cause of the negative items to the credit agency within 30 days. If they fail to do that, the bad marks are erased from your credit report by law. It's fairly easy to clean up a credit report.

 

[rhett7660]

Go in and find out why they did not hire you. This will only help you out in the long run. Finding out your weakness or things you need to clear up will only help you out in the future.

 

[gkarris]

Well yes, you are correct about the approval being obtained during the application process. That's how it was with Federated Department Stores as well. However, the actual checks themselves were not run until a person was actually hired. The store I worked received HUNDREDS of applications each month - there was no way that backgrounds were run on every single person that applied. It would have been far too expensive, so I stand by my original assertion that the checks are only run on hired or seriously considered applicants. And when/if an employee was upfront about their situation, then we absolutely took it into consideration.

That's the thing - they ask me (and the OP) when we are available for training, and they would get back to me about an offer. The next thing I heard was a rejection. I assumed that's when they ran a Credit and Criminal check.

I got this e-mail today from a recruiter. The recruiters are stating up front that the job requires a credit score of 700 or better, and that's for just a standard IT job...

... experience of at least 5 years of work

Skills and Knowledge:

-Credit score over 700, no criminal background

 

[ChefJayPeek]

Another possibility

If you have ever walked out of a job, or quit with out notice, or were fired, that could also be the cause. Larger corporations that have HR departments will call your previous jobs and ask if you are eligible for rehire, if they get a "No" then they will often pass on you.

That is worth thinking about, and explaining the situation in an interview if it applies.

It is worth going in and asking the person that interviewed you why, but most likely you will just get the same answer "We went with someone else."

Hope this helps,
Chef Jay

 

[EazyWeazy3]

Sorry to hear.

Keep your head up!

 

[uniforms]

Sorry to hear about your experience. However, the one thing I think many people haven't given thought about and why Apple may be so hot on using credit to determine to hire someone. Every time I check out with any sales person in the apple store, I give them my credit card. They run the transaction right then and there. Who knows, maybe they feel if someone were financially strapped they would take the cc number and do some not so good things with it. I do believe if you pay with cash...shocking as that may sound, they would send you to the counter.

As far as your credit, do clear up any bad debt ASAP. Make sure they will help you clear your record on your credit report. BE sure to get it in writing and once you clear your record, be sure you get in writing that you have cleared up your debt and there should be no negative reports on any credit agency. Trust me, things have a way of reappearing. There is no way to clear up the late payments unless you can call and convince them otherwise. Sometimes it's best to close those accounts and let them fall off the report in 7 years. Remember a late payment is being more than 30 days late. If you fall to 60 days, it's really bad. Always make a payment on all accounts and never be late. IT really does affect your score.

Lastly, I do find honesty always works best. IF you know something is on your credit report, do disclose that during your first interview. If you have something criminal and you know it would come up, disclose that as well. IF they here your side of the story and not read a one line report it is much better. Most people have a forgiving heart when we hear the person admit to what their past was.

I hope all this makes sense. Best of luck on your search for a job.

 

[carmenodie]

I got a call from the Apple store just 3 weeks after filing my on line application. I told the women I was honored they chose me for an interview but I had already gotten a job at a high end spa. Wow!!
I was going for a genius but they oh had a part time specialist. Still incredible. I can tell my grandkids this.

 

[TyPod]

That's super unfortunate man, hopefully something better comes from overcoming this adversity.