In a job market where there are often high numbers of candidates vying for the same legal job, many employers are checking a potential hire's credit history before they validate their hiring decision.  Although employers can't see a candidate's FICO score they can see if a candidate has any tax liens or judgments against them.  Even late payments and accounts in collections are the types of dings on a credit report could cause a law firm to decide against hiring a candidate.
Here are a few tips on how to make sure your credit history doesn't stop you from landing a legal job:
1.    Check your report.  Order a copy of your credit report and make sure that there are no errors.  Creditors often make mistakes or fail to report when a bill has been paid.  Each credit agency has a process for correcting false information on your credit report.
2.    Fix problems.  If you have outstanding debts that are delinquent, judgments or tax liens contact the creditor immediately and arrange a settlement or payment plan.
3.    Send a letter.  If you have a black mark against your credit report that cannot be fixed such as a former bankruptcy, you may want to send a letter of explanation to the credit reporting agency which can be included in your file. For example, maybe you had a medical illness that caused your financial issues, this is the type of information you will include in the letter.  If an employer pulls your credit report they will have access to your letter of explanation.
To order a copy of your credit report, contact the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.