Clean Up Your Credit Report

Employers use credit reports to determine if their applicants are the right people for the job. A credit report is not just a reflection of how much you spend, it is reflection of your responsibility level and how much you can be trusted.

So, as the economic crisis rages on, more and more people are thinking about money and how it effects them. Cleaning up your credit report is a good New Year's resolution and here are some helpful tips to get yours in order:

First, get your credit report. Each year, you are entitled to receive one free from all three credit repositories: Transunion, Equifax and Experian. These reports will not actually contain your credit scores but they will give you a detailed analysis of all your active and inactive credit lines. This will help you to track what you've got left to pay off and ensure that you haven't been a victim of identity theft.

If you find an item which you which to contest, report it to the Credit Bureau immediately. If they find that the item you challenge is false or that it cannot be confirmed or denied, it will be removed immediately from your report. If they cannot confirm it, you have the right to submit a 100 word statement that will be included on your report.

Work toward getting your credit in good standing now. As the workforce tightens up for the long haul, you'll be one up on the rung toward getting, and keeping a better job.