Since I'm filed CH 7 is my career over?

[drowningNdebt]

I spent many years in the mortgage industry as a loan officer and sales manager. I then went into banking as a financial loan officer where there was a nice base salary. However, since i have been unemployed, filed ch 7 and awaiting discharge is my career screwed? I have heard that BK and banking is a no, no. Even as a loan officer I would need a license and was told a BK may prevent that. Do I even bother applying for jobs in this sector or go into another industry?

[Faust]

With so many people in the same boat as you and in your industry I don't think it will be a bad obsticle.

Call up some other lenders you know and ask what they think.

[Bell30656]

Disclose the bankruptcy up front but minimize it by showing all your accomplishments in the industry and what you CAN/WILL do for the company that you want to go to work for.

[whipster1]

One of the people at my 341 was a LO, she filed the same day I did with my Atty. She is still working.

[DeadManCrawling]

Even if this has been true in the past, and may be true in some offices today, I doubt they can sustain the practice.

After all, the real estate meltdown (your career), led to the disaster that took your income.

I would not give up if you have a passion for the work and love what you do. I would think the banking industry, itself, would be the first to understand this very simple equation.

[Flamingo]

Never let a BK prevent you from applying for a job. If your past credit history is an issue which it may be with a banking or other financial job, just be up front and honest. Most places now do background and credit checks so do your homework (i.e., hiring practices) on the company at which you may get an interview so you will be prepared. Many websites for companies now have an HR section whicih lists lots of information for applicants.

[killinstinct]

Don't sweat it. Don't advertise it, but if necessary to disclose, be up front and honest. If you are already employed, it is probably illegal for them to take action against you solely because of the BK. It is federally protected.

[momisery]

Loan officers do work for brokers too in private companies. It seems some states do a lot more of that than others. GA for example seemed to have a lot of private owned brokers who hire loan officers. They did pay a very low salary with commission. Banks of course in some cases pay more, in others like here in MO at my bank LO do not make a salary it is all commission. So, a bank may not hire you, but there are other smaller companies that would. so, I don't think it is over for you.

[drowningNdebt]

this is very good to know. i have a proven, sales track record from plaques to awards letters. i could bring those with me to the interview to show some of my success so perhaps they will over look the BK.

[JRScott]

As long as you can still be bonded it should affect you but finding a bonding agency may cost you more than a person that did not declare bk, be persistent and expect some rejections.

[frogger]

I would rather have a person with a bk working in a bank than one that was head over heels in debt. Which would you consider to be a bigger risk?

[momisery]

Awards are nice, but your resume should contain that information already. Letters of recomendation are nice tools too, I have several when I have to find employment from co-workers, ex-boxes, and people in my trade. Just remember to sell yourself as the right fit for the job, and ask for the job. I have found doing a follow up call or thank you card helps in some cases. Hubby has been off for a long time, he was F&I in the car business and those jobs have died off. He has trouble finding anything, and that was just as true when you have good credit. We are not young and that hurts. So, look young but not too young, eager but not too eager.. lol Seriously sell yourself, if your a good LO you know now to sell!!

[Bell30656]

Momisery is dead on with the "Thank You" card. Better yet is a quick thank you email with a sincere paragraph. I hire a lot of people at the manager level and I can tell you that a professional thank you email really keeps a candidate in mind.

Another thing to consider is tailoring each resume you send out toward the job that you are seeking WITH THAT COMPANY. I've had resumes forwarded to me that were obviously a sample resume with a few things changed. Ever get a resume that still has some of the sample data in it? Kid is obviously 21-22 years old and it has 1972 graduate of whatever school.

Save the bad stuff for the face to face interview. The purpose of the resume isn't to get you the job. The purpose of the resume is to get you the interview.