When I come in to work I log into my computer, log into my phone and other programs that I use and begin dialing customers. If the customer does not answer the phone, I leave a message asking them to go online or call us back. If the customer does answer, I give them an overview of their account status and then offer my assistance in helping them get caught up. Sometimes it's as simple as they got busy and forgot to make their payment. Other times they are going through difficult situations.
CAREER
Credit Counselors
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$47,580
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+9.3% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Credit Counselors Do
Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explain loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans or student financial aid packages. May advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, bankruptcy, or student financial aid counseling.
Other Job Titles Credit Counselors May Have
Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor, Certified Credit Counselor, Credit Counselor, Housing Counselor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Prioritize client debt repayment to avoid dire consequences, such as bankruptcy or foreclosure or to reduce overall costs, such as by paying high-interest or short-term loans first.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Credit Counselors
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (40%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Bachelor's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
You need empathy to work with the customers who are having real problems. You need to be able to think quickly and come up with solutions for many different situations. You need to know the in's and out's of how credit cards work, which is definitely not something taught in school, and how to explain information and educate the customer on the information that they do not know. You have to be able to work independently and push yourself without having someone constantly keeping an eye on you.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
Have a willingness to help the customer. Have basic computer knowledge and be able to navigate multiple screens and programs at one time.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
