Job interviews require much more than just sitting down and talking to someone. Adding up the cost of transportation, childcare, and interview outfits can get to be a lot.
You shouldn’t have to spend money searching for a job. We always see articles on building a resume, how to find a job, interview advice and more. But when do you see anyone talking about how much going through the actual interview process can cost you? If you dive into every little thing you need to have a good interview, you’ll realize there’s a ton. To search for a job, you need Wi-Fi and access to a computer or smartphone. Once you’ve been invited to interview, this where transportation, childcare and interview clothing costs come in. After going to numerous of interview this will add up quickly.
Finding a job should not cost you, so here are some of our favorite ways to save money while job hunting:
- Find the closest free internet
Especially in the midst of a global pandemic, bills are a struggle. Between rent and electricity along many other things to pay for, some people are forced to shut off their phone and internet. That’s okay because there’s other sources of internet.
Coffee shops, Panera Bread, McDonald’s, public libraries, and many other places are known for having free Wi-Fi. If you set aside a little time each day to browse the web at one of these places, you’ll find tons of options.
- Spend less on an interview outfit
As nice as it is, you do not need to purchase new interview clothes. All you need is a couple different outfits to rotate for each interview. And let’s be real you probably won’t wear them again, or at least for a while. Sort through all the clothing you have in your closet already and pull pieces that could possibly work. Or if you really don’t have anything, ask a family or friend if you could borrow something from them. If you can find or borrow something, try a thrift shop near you. Goodwill and Salvation Army are always great options. Realistically, all you need is a nice pair of pants and two long sleeve shirts. And voila, you now have two different interview outfits.
Overall, being interviewed isn’t a fashion show. They will care more about how you present yourself when speaking than the outfit you are wearing.
- Decrease transportation costs
Getting to an interview isn’t just about the gas. You also have car payments, car insurance, parking fees. Even public transportation can add up quickly, so what ways can you cut down these costs?
When searching for a job, apply close to home. Snagajob is a good way to search for jobs that are local by not only inputting your zip code, but they allow you to search by your exact pinned location. The closer you are to work, the likelier the chance is of being able to walk to work or ask a friend for a ride.
Another option is staying in the comfort of your own home. You can do this by requesting a phone or video interview. Since the pandemic, employers have become very accepting to the idea of virtual interviews.
There are so many other stressors in our life, affording a job should not be one of them. Hopefully, this list of tips will help you avoid spending more money than necessary.