It is illegal for employers to discriminate against job applicants who have filed bankruptcy. By discharging debt, bankruptcy can improve your credit score and over time (typically one year) leave you with a better credit score than you had prior to filing bankruptcy. A year or more after the filing of the bankruptcy, potential employers who check your credit report will typically see a better score than you would have had without the bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 8/26/2010

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

I cannot answer for everyone, obviously, but some employers do use bankruptcy as a reason to not hire someone, but I have only heard of that being the case for financial type jobs. In the end, nobody has to hire someone for any reason, so it's hard to know exactly why you have not been hired.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 8/26/2010

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.