cost of working

[econberkeley]

Did you guys ever calculate your average cost of working since the beginning of your professional career. It may include interview preparation, dressing up and going to interviews (at least 3 hours every time in my case),talking and physically meeting recruiters, applying for jobs online, updating resumes with new work experiences, daily commute, parking and so on. For example, I just applied for a position. On the company application website, it had a warning " please reserve 45 minutes for filling out the application" It actually took that much. if we assume people in average search for a position every few years, it adds up to a very substantial amount and time. What do you think your annual average is (hours and dollars)?

[Glenstache]

I expect the bureau of labor statistics has numbers on how long it takes to get a job. But the "cost" of that is difficult to calculate. Do you pro-rate it at your expected earning rate, or some other metric? Perhaps a better metric is what percentage of your work derived income is consumed by work-related expenses such as commuting, clothes and other widgets. A related question is what percentage of your "work" time is uncompensated (networking events, etc beyond the typical sensu-stricto job description).

For me it is about 3.5% on a daily basis at present on strict cash in/out terms.

[shamelessHedon]

Have you read "the two income trap"?  It explores this pretty thoroughly and is a good read.

[oldtoyota]

Did you guys ever calculate your average cost of working since the beginning of your professional career. It may include interview preparation, dressing up and going to interviews (at least 3 hours every time in my case),talking and physically meeting recruiters, applying for jobs online, updating resumes with new work experiences, daily commute, parking and so on. For example, I just applied for a position. On the company application website, it had a warning " please reserve 45 minutes for filling out the application" It actually took that much. if we assume people in average search for a position every few years, it adds up to a very substantial amount and time. What do you think your annual average is (hours and dollars)?

I did a lot of what you are talking about a long time ago. Luckily, I always had free parking. It's crazy to think of paying for parking in order to work.

Interviews are definitely the biggest time suck. Ideally, you'd be applying online *after* you've made contact with a human (hopefully the hiring manager). I got my recent job without knowing anyone, but that seems rare to me. I've gotten around filling out those apps (for the first go around) by working through contracting agencies and recruiters that pave my way and also via personal connections. Online applications are just to make legal and HR happy. In some cases, I've filled that stuff out *after* the people know they want to hire me.

Also, I get contacted via LinkedIn about jobs by recruiters, so that makes things easier.

Dressing up doesn't have to cost much. I bought a suit at an outlet for $100 or so, and it's my go-to outfit for the first interview. I've used it for 5 years, and it's classic so it's not gone out of style yet.

If I get to a *third* interview, then I start to run out of fancy clothing and I also start to think the company is disorganized or stringing me along for some reason.

I've cut down on the networking and public speaking, which I used to do several times per month. My current job puts me into contact with a lot of people, so I "network" at work and work on creating strong relationships (more formal than "friend" relationships). I also help others find jobs and job leads when I can. That costs my time, yet I enjoy doing it and think it's good to help other people.