Credit counselors help consumers and businesses figure out how and why they have gotten into financial trouble and then get them back on the road to solid financial footing. The job isn't always easy but if you're a numbers pro with good people skills, becoming a credit counselor could be a satisfying job. Salaries depend upon education, experience and location, but in this profession, the more credentials you amass, the higher your earnings potential. Become certified in a credit counseling specialty and you can command a nice living wage while you help others manage their own salaries wisely.
Step 1
Understand the job responsibilities before committing to a career. Consumer credit counselors work at loan agencies, banks, credit unions, retail stores, nonprofits and credit counseling services. They give advice on allocating resources, help people budget for large purchases, set up affordable payment schedules, obtain loan securitization. They also may be asked to provide debt consolidation services. Many credit counselors go above and beyond financial advice, offering debtors hope, help and comfort.
Step 2
Obtain the most comprehensive education possible. The Department of Labor states that the job of credit counselor requires only a high school education but that doesn't take into account the large numbers of economics, accounting and business majors intent on going into the field. Expect to find a direct correlation between the amount and type of education you receive and your chances of being hired and promoted.
Step 3
Determine whether you will be a specialist or a generalist. If your aspirations and interests are confined to one industry, you may wish to stay there. For instance, if you train to be a credit counselor following a career in teaching, you may wish to remain in the education field as a credit counselor, but being a specialist can also hamper your job search. Generalists, on the other hand, can use their skills in a variety of industries. Use this situation to your advantage by drafting two resumes for your job search.
Step 4
Credit counseling professionals agree that certification leads to more money, prestige and job leverage. Though some employers don't require staffers to be certified, savvy practitioners make it a personal goal. To get this coveted professional credential, expect to take classes, work through independent study modules, wade through paperwork and pay associated fees for the privilege of taking a nail bite-inducing exam.
Step 5
Choose a certification type that best matches your goals. Some certifications are general, like Certified Credit Counselor. Others--like Certified Debt Counseling Manager--are specific. Explore your options by visiting the websites of America's top-rated certification-granting agencies: Credit Counseling Foundation, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE), the Center for Financial Certifications, National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC), National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), National Institute for Financial Education of America (NIFE), Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).
Step 6
Set ambitious goals for your future. The employment outlook for certified consumer credit counselors is very good through the year 2014, according to the Department of Labor. As consumer-related credit issues continue to diversify, individuals, companies and nonprofits will seek more specialists to figure out ways to keep their credit rating healthy. Attaining high levels of responsibility in the field of credit counseling will always require additional training and certification can only be maintained through ongoing education.
Skill: Moderately Easy
Keyword: Certified Credit Counselor Counseling Financial Advisors
