The Importance of Keeping Your Debts in Order as you Search for a Job...With thanks to my first guest bloggers

Today I am proud and pleased to present my first ever guest blog article written for me by

Al Krulick, Mike Postorino and the team at Debt.org. ...

The Importance of keeping your debts in order as you search for a job

How this came about was as some of  my readers may recall I applied for a paid writing job and had to submit a test piece, Clearing your overdraft, which became 'The frustrated writer, clearing your overdraft 'when the article was not accepted (see   http://valeriehedges.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-frustrated-writerclearing-your.html ) 

However, my article was noticed....by the company to which one of my references linked http://www.debt.org/advice/emotional-effects/   Debt.org  who contacted me recently asking if I would please update the link. I was thrilled to do so, since I was so amazed that my article had been noticed and remembered and it is with grateful thanks and much appreciation that I publish as my first guest blog post the following article :

 

The Importance of Keeping Your Debts in Order as You Search for a Job

Being unemployed is difficult. Without a steady paycheck coming in to take care of day-to-day expenses, the quality of your life can change enormously. Many priorities shift, and many decisions must be made in an entirely new and challenging environment. And yet, even as your personal economy is undergoing severe strain, life continues on. Families must be fed, responsibilities must be met, and financial obligations still need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, your main task as an unemployed individual is looking for a new job – something that is neither an easy nor stress-free activity. Your time must now be spent in producing the winning resume, researching the job market, writing and mailing cover letters, making follow-up phone calls, negotiating interviews, etc.

Making these necessary chores more difficult is the fact that even if your inner emotional state is in turmoil due to the very real worries brought on by joblessness, it is essential that you appear calm and confident in front of prospective employers – not to mention well-dressed and on time.

Unpaid Debts Can Produce Unwanted Worry

That is why it is more important than ever to try and keep things on an even keel. And unmanageable debt is one anchor that can pull a job searcher into a maelstrom of uncomfortable emotions. It is not uncommon for money problems to bring on negative feelings such as fear, anger and sometimes even depression.

In addition, the stress of unpaid bills can also take a toll on your body. The ability to maintain good health is greatly curtailed when your sleep is disrupted and your eating habits change drastically because of constant worry.

So even at this most difficult time, finding a way to keep up with financial obligations is one way to stay in shape, both psychologically and physically. You may want to look into debt settlement as one way to maintain control over your debts.

Keeping your debts in order provides a way in which you can remain in control of your fate -- as much as is possible -- in the midst of trying circumstances. And this confident attitude about your ability to meet your obligations head-on can certainly help you during your job interviews.

Potential Employers May Check Your Credit Score

In addition to seeing if your skills match a particular job offering, employers usually want to see how you deal with difficulty and how you meet your financial responsibilities. Today, more and more companies are using credit scores as a measure of an individual’s fitness for employment, maintaining that they are valid screening tools that give insight into an applicant’s character. According to the theory, a poor credit score suggests the possibility of poor work habits or a disregard for making good on one's commitments.

So whether or not you agree, it is simply a good idea to keep your credit score at a reasonable level. Looking for work is hard enough without the prospect of a poor credit report being used as a deterrent against you as you struggle to get back on your feet and back into the workplace.

Al Krulick writes and blogs for Debt.org. He has dozens of years of writing experience.

Mike Postorino

Member of The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators