how soon after i get a job should i apply for a credit card?

[apples2apples]

Hi. I am wondering when should I apply for a credit card after I get a job? I applied for a job which I think I have a fair chance of getting since I already volunteer for the company but in a different location. I want to move out by February into an apartment.

I am new to all of this stuff. I am 21 years old and by the time I move out, I will be 22 or still 21 depending on when I get a job or if I get this job. Its crazy to think I could be working full time in the next 3 weeks or so. But, how soon after I get a job should I apply for a credit card? How do I get a good credit score? I don't want to be turned down from an apartment because I have bad/no credit Is it even possible to move with no credit score?

if anyone can give me advice on this, I would appreciate it, thank you!

[bjl584]

You can apply for credit any time that you like. Just be responsible with credit. Make a few small purchases with the card for things that you would have bought anyway (gas, food, etc.), and pay off the bill IN FULL each and every billing cycle. Do that for a few months and you will have a decent score and should have no issue finding an apartment. Remember to save up a security deposit and a few month's rent before moving.

[apples2apples]

thanks

I think, if i do get this job, i will apply for a credit card a few days after i started working (luckily my bank has a location near where i would be working...)

and i guess the best would be to try to save up to 4 to 5 months of rent, depending on the apartment, and another month for buying things i need for the apartment

[Bal.Leona]

A lot of people would advise having 3-6 months of total living expenses (rent, all bills, food, etc.) set aside in an emergency fund as soon as you can. If you're able to stay living where you are for a few months before moving to give you some time to build up some savings, by all means do so. The biggest thing with respect to a credit card is don't buy things you can't afford!!!! This is common sense but a lot of people spend way more than they make.

I didn't have any trouble getting an apartment when all I had were my student loans and a car loan on my credit report, but I also had my offer letter indicating I had a job offer and how much I would be making. Provided you can use it intelligently, there's nothing wrong with applying for a credit card at any point. Just keep in mind you may need to get one of the lower credit/student/secured ones to start out, and don't apply willy-nilly to every credit card that pops up. (I didn't get my first card until 29 and I had to call the reconsideration line to get them to approve me at a limit of $500 because I only had student loans and 2 car loans, which had all been paid off and closed.)

Another possibility, if your parents (I'm assuming you're still living with them right now) have good credit and trust you to be responsible is they could add you as an authorized user on one of their accounts.

As you go forward, please also remember to keep your whole financial picture in view. In addition to an emergency fund, save for retirement. See if your potential company offers a 401k or other retirement account and any matching contributions. Or look into a Roth IRA. Or both. 15-25% of your gross income is generally what I see recommended, depending on the source.