Organize your job hunt (part I): shopping list

December 26, 1:36 AMCareer Coach ExaminerMiriam Salpeter

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(ReelMirage.com)

The last week of the year seems like a good time to put together some great ideas to help you get your job hunt organized. Since shopping is top on the "to do" list for many people on the day after Christmas, and since the stores are certain to have some great sales, I thought I'd offer a shopping list for the job hunter (or soon to be job hunter).

Believe me, you don't want to wait until you are offered an interview to try to find these items. (Plus, they probably won't be on sale when you need them!) It's important to invest in your job hunt if you want to be successful.

Keep in mind, if you plan ahead, and you'll be that much closer to your target job. Here is my list. Feel free to add items or suggestions in the comments!

What to buy:

A good suit. Well, now it’s officially stylish to turn back to the interview suit, according to Eric Wilson in the New York Times Style section. He explains, “… With the unemployment rate in America at a 14-year high and more than half a million jobs lost in the last three months alone, there has been a detectable shift in the way people are dressing for work. In the financial sector, certainly, the tone has become more serious, and as a predictable result, somber suits are making a comeback.”

The main point here - have a suit you can feel confident and professional wearing. Have it professionally altered. Believe me - you won't be sorry. The better you look, the better you'll feel. Employers like confident, savvy employees. Looking like one is a great first step!

A nice pair of shoes. Brazen Careerist author Penelope Trunk notes, "If you think people don't notice shoes, remember that managers in Google all wear the same shoes. It's not an accident. Good shoes can make bad clothes look good. And don't forget polish. Polishing silverware is outdated. Polishing shoes is not."

Convinced? Let's face it, the greatest, most stylish suit in the world can be ruined by an old or scuffed pair of shoes. Heels worn down? Don't wear those shoes to an interview. Invest in a pair of timeless, not overly trendy shoes for your interview suit. You'll thank me later when all you need to do to get ready for your interview is go to your closet!

Etc...Don't forget socks or nylons, shirt or blouse, tie...You should have everything on hand and ready to go.

A professional overcoat. If you live in a cold climate, you need it. Unless, of course, you want to be cold. Do NOT show up in your new suit, new shoes and new tie and an Eddie Bauer ski jacket and mittens. Enough said!

A business carrying case. This can be a brief case or professional looking bag (for a woman). You think you have one already? Do you know where it is? Get it out and take a look. Is it 15 years old? Time for a new bag? Remember, especially if you are a more mature job seeker, you want to be sure to appear to be up-to-date, not old fashioned.

A portfolio. When you show up for an interview (or a networking appointment), you will need to bring extra copies of your resume and have a place to keep papers. This is another item that you may think you already own.  Be sure it is in shape. This can be a good time to shop for something a bit more up-to-date.

A good pen. It's always nice to be able to take out a professional pen during an interview or meeting. You can get one for a very good price at this time of year. Buy it and put it away so you'll know where it is when you need it.

Business cards. Don't already have your own business cards? Why not? I like Vista Print for inexpensive, but professional business cards. (Do invest at least a few dollars: don't get the free ones with their logo printed on the back!)

A new printer. Considering upgrading from ink jet? Howard Flomberg, the Workplace Examiner, suggests that you can get a  monochrome LaserJet for as little as about $50 on sale.

Good paper. Have this handy. Spring for the matching envelopes. Nothing speckled. Think basic bond paper.

Go ahead - invest in yourself! If you are well prepared to interview and meet people for networking appointments looking well put together and professional, you will move your job hunt forward at a much faster pace.

Stay tuned to this space in the coming week for other great ideas to help you organize your job hunt!