Careers: Credit Checks Common Screening Tool for Candidates

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Job hunters often ask me (and complain) about the background investigations, including credit checks, that more employers are using these days to evaluate job candidates.

Unfortunately, they have some of their fellow applicants to blame.

"So many employers are seeing resume fraud and misrepresentations," said Jay Meschke, head of an executive search company in Overland Park, Kan. "There's a dose of skepticism about every candidate."

Claiming nonexistent degrees and inflated positions is a clear no- no that will eliminate someone from consideration. Honest job hunters understand that. What many don't understand is why their credit ratings have any bearing …