We all know that a good credit score is instrumental to getting a decent deal on a mortgage. But did you know that a bad score could keep you from landing a job?

Employers don’t want to hire applicants who have problems in other parts of their lives, and that includes debt. It’s more than just wanting workers to keep their minds on their jobs, too. Employees with heavy loads of debt are much likelier to harm a company — think embezzlement, corporate espionage or misuse of company funds. What employer wouldn’t want to prevent those sorts of things from happening to their businesses?

During the application process for a new job, your potential employer might ask you to sign a form giving them permission to run a check on your credit. The credit agency won’t give them a full copy of your report, but they’ll handover the grand majority of your information. Legally, credit reporting agencies cannot provide an employer with the following:

• your marital status
• your year of birth
• your account numbers

Most employers are simply looking for two things: warning signs that you might be a financial risk and a general sense of your responsibility. If you are submitting applications, your best bet is to have good credit. But many of us have a few slip-ups here and there on our records. For the average job applicant, it can be hard to tell just what might cause a problem with an employer.

There may not be too much for you to worry about, though. Most hiring managers are not going to pounce on every little mistake. There are also a few steps you can take to rebuild your credit.

• Consider paying your monthly payments in full and on time a priority — even if you’re unemployed.
• If you can’t make your payments, contact your creditors and establish some sort of payment plan before you become delinquent.
• Avoid opening new accounts or applying for new credit just before starting your job hunt.
• Reduce your debt (the money you owe) to credit (the money lenders will give you) ratio.

If you’re still uncomfortable with your credit report, you can refuse to grant permission for prospective employers to look at it. Before you make that decision, though, you should be aware that many employers will remove your name from consideration immediately. They’ll assume that you have something to hide. A better approach — although not without risks — is to grant permission but ask the hiring manager to discuss your credit report with you before making a decision. Assuming your interviewer agrees, you’ll have a chance to point out extenuating circumstances and argue your case.

If you’re planning a career in banking, security, finance, public service and other sensitive fields, your credit report can be crucial. It’s worth making the effort now to improve your credit and build a history that you wouldn’t mind your employer looking over.