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Home > Blog: Interviews > 7 Ways to Spend Less on Job Interviews

7 Ways to Spend Less on Job Interviews

Save Money on Interviews

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:

  1. Buying a suit = $200 and up
    vs.
    Borrowing a suit or shopping the thrift stores = Free or Cheap ($25, maybe?)
     
  2. Getting a haircut = $25 and up
    vs.
    Going to a barber or hairdressing school = Cheap (about half the price of a salon stylist)
     
  3. 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
     
  4. Hiring a babysitter during your interview = $5 to $15 an hour
    vs.
    Bartering with a friend or asking a relative = Free
     
  5. Driving to the interview = $5 to $10 in gas; more for parking or tolls
    vs.
    Taking public transportation = Cheap (couple bucks)
     
  6. 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)
     
  7. 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

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

RELATED LINKS
Step-by-Step Job Interview Preparation
Dumbass Mistakes New Grads Make in Interviews

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