U.S. News & World Report - This sounds like a cycle of pure misery: First, you get laid off. Then, you’re one of the 4.4 million Americans who in June saw their job searches stretch out six months or more. The bills keep rolling in–car payment, house payment, medical bills–and your credit card balance is ballooning. You interview for a job and you’re one of the top candidates, but a late-stage credit check has the employer going with another hire. The bottom line: You need a job to improve your financial situation, but your finances are now hurting your ability to get a job.