In “Part I: What does a credit score mean?” we took a look at the meaning of credit scores in being approved for a loan and in obtaining the best interest rates.

“Part II: What does a credit score mean?” looks at:

• What a credit score means in your job hunt.
• What a credit score means for your insurance premiums.
• What a credit score means in your search for a rental unit.

What does a credit score mean when searching for a job?

More than half of employers run credit checks on potential job candidates at least some of the time. This means that you must learn how to improve your credit score if you are one of the millions of unemployed Americans, particularly if you are applying for jobs that require you to handle money.

A potential employer considers a person’s credit score an indication of how reliable they are. And if the job requires you to handle money, a low credit score could also mean that you are financially strapped and might be tempted to skim a little money from the register. Whether you are a financial advisor or local hardware store cashier, a low credit score means that you might be less employable.

If you have a mediocre or bad credit, be sure to read my post about credit scores and jobs so that you can learn strategies for combating this problem.

What does a credit score mean for your automobile insurance premiums?

In some states, a low credit score will increase your auto insurance premiums! Auto insurers have found a correlation between a person’s credit score and the number of accidents in which they are involved, so the lower your score, the higher your premium.

What does a credit score mean for your rental application?

Landlords almost always run a person’s credit score before approving a rental application. The last thing a landlord wants to do is evict a tenant, a time-consuming and costly process. If your score is too low, you might have a problem finding a lease to sign. Be sure to read my article about renting and credit checks.

What does a credit score mean? A high credit score means that you are more employable, pay lower insurance premiums, and have more housing opportunities. A low credit score means you should learn how to improve your credit score!