When you're out of work, getting a job interview is just about the best thing that can happen to you (second only to receiving an actual job offer). An interview means you're a contender—you've made it into the finals. But when your cash flow is dwindling, an interview can also pose a budgetary dilemma.
Fear not, my frugal friends. Once you start thinking like a "cheap bastid" (as we say in New England), it's easy to avoid depleting your limited funds. Here, for example, are seven ways to keep job interview costs from busting the budget:
- Buying a suit = $200 and up
vs.
Borrowing a suit or shopping the thrift stores = Free or Cheap ($25, maybe?)
- Getting a haircut = $25 and up
vs.
Going to a barber or hairdressing school = Cheap (about half the price of a salon stylist)
- Getting your resume professionally written = $100 to $700
vs.
Building your own resume with Pongo or the help of a friend = Cheap (<$10) or Free
- Hiring a babysitter during your interview = $5 to $15 an hour
vs.
Bartering with a friend or asking a relative = Free
- Driving to the interview = $5 to $10 in gas; more for parking or tolls
vs.
Taking public transportation = Cheap (couple bucks)
- Coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks = $2.50 to $5.00 (more if you cave and buy the donut)
vs.
Coffee at home = Cheap (pennies a cup)
- Buying lunch while you're out = $5 to $20
vs.
Brown-bagging it = Cheap (easily under $5)
While we're in el cheapo mode, here are some links for more information, ideas, or coupons to help you save:
SUITS
http://www.dressforsuccess.org
HAIRCUTS
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/beautyhealthcare/tp/Save_on_Haircuts.htm
RESUMES
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumebuilders/p/pongoresume.htm
CHILD CARE
http://parentingresources.suite101.com/article.cfm/babysitting_coops
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2009/02/comparison-test-public-transportation-vs-automotive-mobility.html
COFFEE
http://www.couponcactus.com/category/Coffee-Coupons/
LUNCH
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/cheap-and-healthy-brown-bag-lunch-ideas-for-grownups
Got any other money saving tips for job seekers? Please share them in a comment below!
RELATED LINKS
Step-by-Step Job Interview Preparation
Dumbass Mistakes New Grads Make in Interviews
Taking public transportation? Are you kidding me? I ride my bike and I will continue to do so. Some people have told me to take a bus or the metro rather then arrive on my harley but to that I say well if I wanted to leave my house at 7 am and not get back til 7 that nite then that might be an option. Sorry but in the Phoenix area to go 40 miles each way would take all day to and from