Yes. Companies that you apply to for a collections position that are managing a debt you owe will sometimes refuse your employment as a 'conflict of interest'. Still others may obligate you to repay the debt to eliminate the conflict. Some may even hire you based on a payroll deduction payment plan if unable to resolve the debt immediately. Agencies that are not managing a debt you owe will never know you are in collections unless you tell them and would care less even if they did know.