<p>Our IP counsel showed up at the last meeting carrying all of their papers in a really beat up no brand name bag. Of course, that was a male patent lawyer meeting with a biotech client…</p>
<p>You’ll probably end up placing your bag under the table where it will not be noticed anyways. And if the majority of the iteviewers are guys, they can’t tell a Liz bag from a Gucci bag anyways! I would not sweat about it. Oops, Donna already said the same thing.</p>
<p>Thanks, DonnaL & BunsenBurner! That’s actually good to know. Understated, but of nice quality (not necessarily a big name) is a bit more my speed. I’d rather spend my cash on the gym & maintaining my hair (my expensive indulgences!). But, I’m thinking that some of the brands listed above would make things of fine quality/style, even if a person couldn’t recognize the brand from the outside of the item. So, good to have reference-points/names (for my used-item searches!)</p>
<p>Many years ago, when I was an associate at a bank, our MD called us in before a visit to a conservative client - no Hermes scarf or tie, no chit chat of second home, no noticeable logo on our handbags. We were charging the client a lot of money for our advice, didn’t want them to think they were supporting a lavish life style. That talk stuck with me. I love designer bags, but will always look for ones without screaming Gucci, Fendi, Prada…I do think nice leather bag, good shoes and watch are important. To me, that’s attention to detail.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I would add that a lot of female interviewers can’t tell the difference either. I was a managing director at a broker-dealer for a decade and at a rating agency for a decade before that and have done my share of interviewing. I couldn’t tell the difference between a $20 handbag and a $400 handbag and didn’t even know you could buy one for more than that. I buy my suits at Macy’s, usually when on sale for half-price at about $100 to $150 (like LeSuit brand) and shoes at DSW, also on sale. I don’t own any open toe shoes. Just have serviceable black, navy, brown, and beige pumps. I do have a Coach briefcase and purse, but they were gifts from my husband many many years ago.</p>
<p>While I am not brand aware, I do think a suit as opposed to coordinating top and bottom is a good idea for interviews at a conservative firm. I only got comfortable wearing a pants suit to client meetings about two years ago and I still wore skirt suits or a dress for any formal pitch. </p>
<p>I retired last February, but with this market meltdown have decided I need to rethink that decision. I have an interview this Friday to discuss doing some part-time contract work for a local broker-dealer. I will wear a pantsuit since I will be meeting with the head of sales and trading and the trading floor tends to be casual. If the meeting were on the investment banking side of the house, however, it would be a suit with a skirt or a dress.</p>
<p>Good luck with your search. This market is not fun.</p>
<p>Interesting, oldfort–that makes sense (not wanting client to think he/she was supporting others’ lavish lifestyles!).</p>
<p>Good luck with your search, TheAnalyst. Sounds like you have a great resume. A number of people have told me my resume is good too (in it’s own way) but that makes me nervous about ‘messing it up’ by taking a lower-level attny job. I’ve already left off the little ‘mom-jobs’ I’ve had in the past few years (teachers’ aide sub, SAT tutor). Sounds like high-level contract work is perfect for you. Like you said, though, the market makes you wonder – at what point does gainful employment in your field trump resume building?</p>
<p>This is an interesting time. I’ve always been in heavy demand, so I don’t think my mindset has really caught up to the fact that might have changed. I did get a call from a major firm in December, but that position would have required a move, which I am not willing to do right now (senior in high school). In addition, I’m one of those people for whom the bonus represents several multiples of my base salary. I never viewed those bonuses as anything other than delayed compensation. In this environment of slashing bonuses (which many firms are doing just because it has become politically acceptable and because they think they can get away with it without people quitting), I’m not willing to take a position that relies on a bonus for the majority of my pay unless that bonus comes with a multi-year guaranty. </p>
<p>The interview Friday is with a firm that contacted me for something full-time. My concern about bonuses is one reason I redirected their interest to a contract based position (plus I don’t want to work full time if I can avoid it). The only question is whether we can reach agreement on price. I am not desperate enough yet to work for less than I was making before, but of course that could change as the year wears on if I find no takers.</p>
<p>I have a feeling somebody moved my cheese.</p>
<p>Most of the Prada leather bags and briefcases have no readily apparent logo and the Botegga Veneta’s have none outside the bag. Yet it’s hard to miss the fine leather and craftsmanship. They also last forever so can honestly be seen as an investment.</p>
<p>In the end I think it’s about where you live and work. In NYC it is the exception among female execs who does not have a high end look. But some of this stuff must look really out of places in other environments.</p>
<p>TheAnalyst–sounds like you’ll have lots of options; hope you can find one that fits your lifestyle/family life/work & salary req’s. </p>
<p>I’ve just been actively looking for two weeks, so we’ll see. I waited to return to work until my daughter was in full-day 1st grade. Timed THAT part right…who knew a severe economic down-turn would coincide! I’m planning on ignoring all national employment news and just moving forward w/my head down & on (job-hunting) task.</p>
<p>hmom5–interesting re: the craftsmanship—that’s what I though might be nice (I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the accessories you describe, myself, --although, I did work for the gov’t (notorious bad dressers, sorry, no offense to anyone)).</p>
<p>I think many firms are cutting permanent employees to show cost cutting on paper. But I think work still needs to get done for the business to continue to function. Head of sales and trading may be able to convince senior management to allow him/her to hire a contractor temporarily if he could justify additional revenue or possible lost of revenue without it. In today’s market it may be better to get a contractor’s rate (with base and bonus included) than to take a full time position without a bonus guarantee.</p>
<p>TheAnalyst - out of curiousity, do you miss the work? Or have you been happy with your retirement? I was hoping to leave in a few years (younger one is still in 9th grade), but may need to stay longer because of the economy.</p>
<p>oldfort, I love retirement and miss absolutely nothing about work (except the income). I now spend a considerable amount of every day working out (running, yoga, sculpting class, weights, walking, etc.) and am in the best shape of my life–got back down to a size 6 and still losing a little. I spend another chunk of the day planning and cooking fairly elaborate but healthy meals, which I love doing. I became an active volunteer in Girl Scouts again (a treat I gave up when I only had boys) and read for hours on end.</p>
<p>With that said, I hadn’t enjoyed work in a long time. I an introvert and the job eventually morphed into too much client entertaining for my taste. I absolutely detested those 15 hour days just to have lunch. I was on the road 2-3 days a week. Conferences consisted of a client breakfast, client lunch, popping in on several cocktail parties followed by a client dinner. Mostly fluff and selling, which was just exhausing with my personality. I love to write (and analyze of course) and am happy if I never have to see or talk to anybody. Luckily, my writing is well known (and as a junk bond analyst there is actually rising demand for what I do as the economy tanks and spreads widen) so I think I can find something that works.</p>