Emily, 26, New York, N.Y.

After finally quitting a job where she was no longer happy, Emily found herself in a situation many can relate to: no salary and a lot of time to kill. “I spent about a month and a half looking for jobs,” Emily said. “It was great because I had the luxury of time, but the more time I spent looking, the more money I spent.” Emily focused on the details: a clean resume, a meticulous outfit, and punctuality. “Everything has to be perfect, which is why I print my resume on special resume paper so it looks shiny and stands out,” she said. “I also like to get a new dress – whether or not I have an outfit already. It makes me feel refreshed and motivated.” Find the perfect outfit for your next interview. Emily likes to be 20 minutes early to interviews, and she leaves at least one hour to get ready beforehand. She ran late three times, causing her to take three taxis instead of riding the subway. “I’ll pay whatever it takes to be on time – it’s not worth saving the few extra dollars if I’m going to be late to an interview,” she said.

THE COST BREAKDOWN:
Resume paper:: $15.49 from Staples
Three cabs:: $13 + $16 + $8 = $37
Dress:: $198.50 from Club Monaco
TOTAL JOB-HUNTING SPEND:: $250.99