Address Book

Most of us have some sort of address book from a young age. We used to use it to write letters, send cards and send Christmas cards. For this part of your journey and electronic version can certainly be handier, with the ability to sort or look up people. By putting in a few helpful hints where you met, conversed about, date you met, what their hobbies might have been or many other fields it makes it even easier to do a search.
This is where the new Social Media phenomena is working so well such as LinkedIn and Facebook. You don't always have to carry all the address with you if you can reach those social media tools.

Calendar

To me a calendar is a very basic tool to have with you. As much as we think we'll remember everything we have to do, rarely do we fulfill them all. When you are trying to make appointments for interviews, of any kind, you want to be sure not to over book or double book. When you meet someone and have agreed to meet later you should either confirm it then or if you do the "I'll call you later" then you should mark your calendar to make that call. So many folks don't follow up then wonder why they aren't making the headway they want to make.
Once again, your calendar can be a pocket, hand written type or electronic, that is up to you.

Pen or Pencil

A pen or pencil is an appropriate writing instrument. Seems kind of trivial yet it never ceases to amaze me how many folks arrive unprepared. They are needed to make notes on other's business cards, making a note for the future. Could even be to draw a picture or directions for someone else.
You never know when someone will be impressed by a nice pen also.

Tablet

A tablet today can be either made of paper or an electronic tablet. Either way you should always have one for making notes to yourself so you can follow-up later. Even today I find myself thinking I'll remember something only to find I have forgotten it. Be as elaborate or simple as you want, just be sure you have something to make notes on. Preferably bound somehow so pages can't just be torn off and lost.

Business cards

Business cards are an essential tool to always have. It is neat and orderly. You only need to have your name, e-mail and phone number on them. If you can afford color, maybe a branding logo or even a favorite quote then go ahead and personalize it.
Most people need not put a title on the card as most of you can handle several roles. There is nothing wrong in having a few cards if you want. You can make your own, just remember that ink jet printers tend to run in the rain. I've learned over many years that people do remember a good business card.
You'll want to order a minimum of 500 the first time and don't be stingy with them.

Happy New Years-2012

Here we are again in a new year. For you this might be your first New Years out looking for your next opportunity or maybe you've been here before. Either way you have a lot to do. Getting to that next place on this journey usually takes a little work on your part. The more work you do the faster it will go. Yet if you cram too much into it you may make more errors than you need to make.
A little pre-planning on your part  will assist you in the long run. While watching "This Old House", on TV, the other day it was so obvious afterwards how just a little work ahead of time reduced a lot of extra work later.
A few helpers that may help: Business cards, tablet, writing tool, calendar for starters. An address book, of some sort, will be helpful for follow-ups. Some of these can be electronic or the standard old basic manual ones, up to you