Published: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
How you can save money on job hunt
The goal of job hunting is to make money, not spend it.
So it’s not surprising that many job seekers try to avoid doling out cash for career counselors, resume writers and other pay-as-you-go services. Of course, there are times when outside consultants are worth every penny. But if you’re paying down debt or juggling bills every month, there are several ways to keep your job searching costs down.
Here are a few money-saving ideas:
Write a superb resume. It may seem strange to receive this advice from a resume writer, especially one who continuously harasses job hunters about the importance of using a compelling, attention-grabbing document. Because of my experience in this field, I know that many people can craft job-winning resumes on their own. They have the writing skills, but lack objectivity.
Trim your expenses by preparing a well-written document that shines light on your most impressive attributes and achievements. If you can’t determine which aspects of your career are most impressive (this is where objectivity comes in), ask a trusted friend or colleague for feedback.
Be your own career counselor. If you have a tough time making career decisions, or need help selecting an industry that suits your talents, you may benefit from the expertise and support of a career counselor. However, consulting sessions can become expensive. As a frugal job hunter, you might wish to do the brainstorming and soul-searching work yourself.
Head to the library and sift through the resources on changing careers. Pick up “What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles and perhaps “Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron (or similar books on the subject). Do the exercises as if they were assigned by a consultant. In the end, if you have a clearer understanding of your interests and greater confidence in your abilities, consider it money in your pocket.
Take advantage of local resources. Thrifty job seekers can count on local libraries for books, computers, printers, job-opportunity bulletin boards and networking groups. If you’re a college student, stop by the campus career center for assistance with resume writing, interviewing and targeting companies in your field.
Also, don’t miss out on the services offered by WorkSource Snohomish County. Their primary goal is to help people in our community get the support they need while finding new employment. In addition to free job-search advice, they offer a number of free classes and networking meetings.
Research tax deductions. If you wind up spending money on transportation to interviews, phone calls or other job-search necessities, you may be able to deduct them from your tax return. Talk with your tax adviser and go to the official IRS Web site at www.irs.gov to learn the details and limitations. For instance, you can only take this deduction if you are looking for work in your current field. Plus, your miscellaneous deductions must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.
It is possible to run a fast, effective career search without incurring a single expense. Be proactive. Fuel up on local resources. And, if you have to pay for services or supplies, hold onto those receipts.
Eve Nicholas: Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
So it’s not surprising that many job seekers try to avoid doling out cash for career counselors, resume writers and other pay-as-you-go services. Of course, there are times when outside consultants are worth every penny. But if you’re paying down debt or juggling bills every month, there are several ways to keep your job searching costs down.
Here are a few money-saving ideas:
Write a superb resume. It may seem strange to receive this advice from a resume writer, especially one who continuously harasses job hunters about the importance of using a compelling, attention-grabbing document. Because of my experience in this field, I know that many people can craft job-winning resumes on their own. They have the writing skills, but lack objectivity.
Trim your expenses by preparing a well-written document that shines light on your most impressive attributes and achievements. If you can’t determine which aspects of your career are most impressive (this is where objectivity comes in), ask a trusted friend or colleague for feedback.
Be your own career counselor. If you have a tough time making career decisions, or need help selecting an industry that suits your talents, you may benefit from the expertise and support of a career counselor. However, consulting sessions can become expensive. As a frugal job hunter, you might wish to do the brainstorming and soul-searching work yourself.
Head to the library and sift through the resources on changing careers. Pick up “What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles and perhaps “Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron (or similar books on the subject). Do the exercises as if they were assigned by a consultant. In the end, if you have a clearer understanding of your interests and greater confidence in your abilities, consider it money in your pocket.
Take advantage of local resources. Thrifty job seekers can count on local libraries for books, computers, printers, job-opportunity bulletin boards and networking groups. If you’re a college student, stop by the campus career center for assistance with resume writing, interviewing and targeting companies in your field.
Also, don’t miss out on the services offered by WorkSource Snohomish County. Their primary goal is to help people in our community get the support they need while finding new employment. In addition to free job-search advice, they offer a number of free classes and networking meetings.
Research tax deductions. If you wind up spending money on transportation to interviews, phone calls or other job-search necessities, you may be able to deduct them from your tax return. Talk with your tax adviser and go to the official IRS Web site at www.irs.gov to learn the details and limitations. For instance, you can only take this deduction if you are looking for work in your current field. Plus, your miscellaneous deductions must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.
It is possible to run a fast, effective career search without incurring a single expense. Be proactive. Fuel up on local resources. And, if you have to pay for services or supplies, hold onto those receipts.
Eve Nicholas: Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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