What gear and supplies do you need to buy for a new job?
Starting a new career in fields ranging from HVAC trades to corporate accounting requires navigating specific clothing, footwear, and equipment requirements that employers often leave unclear. Without knowing the exact dress codes or safety standards—such as steel-toed boots versus oxfords—new hires and their partners are left guessing what to purchase. This uncertainty makes it difficult to prepare adequately before the first day on the job.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Buying basic items like clip-on fans, water bottles, and lunch boxes from AmazonDid this help you?
- 2Waiting until starting the job to see what experienced coworkers use and making a wishlist laterDid this help you?
- 3Wearing white leather sneakers and brown oxfordsDid this help you?
- 4Wearing a Patagonia quarter zipDid this help you?
- 5Asking experienced mechanics on forums for brand recommendationsDid this help you?
- 6Buying budget-friendly starter brands like Neiko, Icon, or PittsburghDid this help you?
- 7waiting until getting a job to buy electric tools so they do not degradeDid this help you?
- 8buying pre-selected individual brands like Knipex and WihaDid this help you?
- 9Asking for peer reviews and brand opinions on online forums before buyingDid this help you?
- 10Relying on personal use experience to gauge commercial viabilityDid this help you?
- 11buying the cheapest tools you can afford for the first few years because they will get beaten upDid this help you?
- 12Asking experienced plumbers or journeymen for adviceDid this help you?
- 13Buying tools gradually as progress is madeDid this help you?
- 14Finding used tools on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, or pawn shopsDid this help you?
- 15Financing toolsDid this help you?
- 16Buying tools progressivelyDid this help you?
- 17Asking experienced mechanics for recommendations on essential toolsDid this help you?
- 18Using improvised or basic tools like semi-long flatheads instead of specialized screwdriversDid this help you?
- 19Cutting all thread and strut manually with portable band saws instead of dedicated cuttersDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“As a plumber are there any tools that you wish you would've invested in sooner? Any game changer?”source ↗
“Ok, I don't even know what that tool is used for yet.”source ↗
“Where are some places or websites that I could get quality tools that will not break the back.”source ↗
“A laser is something I need to get. My current site I had to meet in the middle for a couple pipe runs and I was off around 4-8” when it came to the final connections.”source ↗
“I didn’t know they existed until well after i had bought my portaband, or else I would have”source ↗
“Incoming b4 audit associate (male). What do I need for footwear. Will White leather sneakers and fresh pair of brown oxfords be enough to get it done or do am I down the wrong path.”source ↗
“Thinking of buying these 3 pieces of equipment from Yardworks for my landscaping business. Anyone have any thoughts on this brand and these pieces of equipment before I commit to the purchase?”source ↗
“Is there a certain set from neiko you recommend?”source ↗
“Would these do just fine?”source ↗
“So I'm going to a shop where absolutely no tools are provided. This is the first time I've worked at a shop like this, so I have some, but only what I needed.”source ↗
“I don't know if I have everything I need. I feel like if they expect a general maintenance person to have all the tools that would be silly.”source ↗
“I'm in my first year of electrical education and looking for an internship/apprenticeship Anyway I'm looking for tools to use in the Future (looking to invest in the best tools I can)”source ↗
“What else should I get? I'm looking for high quality that will do me well”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5What job title should I apply for with HR experience?
- 2Buy once cry once or start with cheaper equipment?
- 3Can I wear sneakers for a construction tryout if I have no work boots?
- 7What to wear on your first day of work so you aren't overdressed
- 9Can you switch accounting service lines before starting your job?
- 7Why won't supply houses sell to homeowners?