to not be up front about CCJ in job application

[tessarose]

I am about to get a conditional offer for a job which is a massive step up for me both in terms of career growth and financially. Had a final meeting with the guy who would be my boss (an ex colleague) this evening and he said "the job's in the bag, they just need to run the credit checks for any defaults - you'll be fine". At which point the blood drains from my face as I knew I had a CCJ which is bad enough I've just looked online and it says it's active - which I don't believe it is. At which point do I mention this, if at all..? It's a big insurance company and I'd be working with fairly senior management, not customer facing. I'm trying not to bury my head in the sand over it...

I think you need to tell him ASAP. Was it in the job description that you had to have a clear credit history? It won't look good if they realise you have lied.

It depends. In some companies particularly financial a non declaration, or even having an active ccj, is an automatic no.

If your credit record is innaccurate you can get it updated.

You need to tell him straight away and look into whether your credit record needs amending.

Because he's an ex colleague and he approached me directly I've had zero dealings with their HR department to date so it's never come up, this evening was literally the first time it had occurred to me

Speak to him and tell him that you've had a CCJ in the past which you believed to be expired and have checked and it's showing as active. Ask his advice and how you ought to handle this. If it comes up in their search before you have chance to ask about it, it'll be assumed you were trying to bury it which looks far worse.

I believe it does need amending but that would involve writing to the court etc. (which I will do) and they want to formally offer me the job on Monday. And now I can hear DP coming up the stairs and I'm going to have to face the music and tell him...

TimeTo That sounds like the right course of action, that's what I will do, thank you xx

Good luck OP. This sort of thing is horrible.

I hate to say this but I worked for a financial services org and they wouldn't employ anyone with a ccj - I know someone whose offer was revoked after the checks were made. Be upfront now and get it sorted before you resign from another job to take the role!

Thanks very much for all your replies. I actually feel a lot better now that I've decided I'm just going to tell them. If I don't get the job because of it there's not much more I can do. Fingers crossed....

All the best.

That might be what happens, but if it does you won't be the first by any means.

You've been offered this job for a reason. If it doesn't work out then your skills and experience will still be there when the CCJ expires.

What you wrote in your last post is a good attitude to have.

Be up front with them about it. Similar happened to my friend when going to work in a financial company and it turned out that because it was under a certain amount and had been addressed it was fine.

Is it satisfied? This is the main thing. If you think it is call the court. How much was it for and how long ago?

Think it depends on your position.

I'm in insurance too, and have knowingly employed people with CCJs, and in one case a criminal record. Because they were good candidates. As long as HR are satisfied you aren't a risk, you should be ok. But echoing previous posters, get it out in the open with them.

It's never gone tits up, but I'm not in the Financial Advice sector, where more stringent rules may apply.

Congrats on the job offer by the way . Sounds like you've got your ex-colleague / future boss on your side. Good luck, fingers crossed that you'll be fine.

Is it not like Experian then, where you can ring them up and get them to remove things that are discharged/expired?

Tell them, I've heard of others just having to pay debt back before starting role, best to be up front

Update: I got sent all the screening stuff today so I filled it out and emailed the HR contact explaining things. They said that they need me to bring proof it's been paid when I go there to show them my passport, proof of address etc. I got the impression it was something he'd seen before which was encouraging... So. We'll see. Thanks everyone for responding, I was feeling pretty despondent on Thursday!

Sounds positive, keeping my fingers crossed for you.

GOT THE JOB! thanks for the advice everyone

Congrats!!

Congratulations! Hope it's fantastic!