<p>Last time I had my first professional interview (wall street) and went in carrying a bright blue North Face backpack and a cheap spiral bound notebook. I realized that everyone else had nice leather suitcases and these embroidered leather portfolios (which I assume had a pen, resume, paper in them), and I felt pretty out of place.</p>
<p>Tomorrow I’m going to another interview (finance as well) and am going to bring one of those portfolios with me, as opposed to a notebook with my resume in it. Last time with my notebook I didn’t even open it, didn’t even take it out of my bag. Tomorrow I’m just going to have this portfolio with me and I would like to know what to do with it. Do I simply put some sheets of paper, a couple of pens, and a copy of my resume in it? When I get there do I just leave it closed on the desk? Am I supposed to be taking notes or writing in it? Or is it merely for people to think “wow this kid has a nice looking folder he must be professional?”</p>
<p>haha it’s all about the look! but no, put some few resumes. make sure it’s black and presentable and they love when u open it and write something in there when they say something profound! haha</p>
<p>I don’t really understand the problem…its just a padfolio. I had an interview with a boutique ibank today and I just kept it in front of me on the table. I’d imagine that if I didn’t have it I might have felt a little naked or more insecure cause the recruiters had a couple of folders and it would have made me look weaker in a sense. </p>
<p>Regardless, I had 5 copies of my resume, the cover letter I submitted, a quick fact sheat about the company (just in case I forgot before the interview), and a page that had the key points I wanted to get across in bullet form. Also they asked me a 3-4 brain teasers or math problems, so the attatchable notbook thing that mine had paid off. Lastly, mine has a card holder too, which was useful I guess. I bought it at Staples for about $20.</p>
<p>just keep 10 or 20 resumes. use them as resumes when needed, or use the back as paper if need be. keep the pen in your jacket’s inside pocket. i really don’t get your question though…what kind of answer are you expecting? “smack the interviewer with it?” ;)</p>
<p>Sometimes they give you papers. It’s good to have someplace to put them and stuffing them into a backpack makes you look sloppy or as though you don’t care.</p>
<p>If you have a small calendar, add that. You could print the next two months’ calendars if you don’t. So, when you get a question about a follow through interview or your availability, you can consult your calendar. Very professional.</p>
<p>Just put your portfolio on your lap or on the desk or table.</p>