Portfolio for interview/job

[gsk3]

Hi everyone,
Didn't get the fellowship last time, so have to join the real world for a year or two. Have an interview next week at a firm in a very conservative industry (management consulting). Going to wear the same medium grey suit, black captoes, red tie as last time.

So the first question is: what color portfolio? (or am I just being crazy here and it doesn't matter?)
Black/Brown? I tend to like the look of brown leather more, but maybe black is more conservative for a padfolio type thing?

Specific options, in no particular order:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...ge-Jotter.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592

Any other suggestions I've missed? I definitely don't want to go above $100, and would really prefer keeping it to $50-60. But quality is important and I want to have this for a good while, so if I have to pay more, I will.

I don't know particular brands here, so guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Ari

 

[gsk3]

Another option, seriously pushing the price limit:
http://www.ebags.com/johnston_murphy...?modelid=67839

 

[billiebob]

Coach outlets (at least the one at Riverhead, LI) had leather stuff on deep, deep discount last October.

I got a black zippered portfolio for 112, down from 200-something, a brown leather Fulton fold-over briefcase, and a gorgeous leather cabin bag.

The non-zippered portfolios were even cheaper, an available in black or brown. They are good quality, chinese made, and devoid of any of the gold-colored metal corners.

The coach outlet in woodbury commons also had some portfolios.
I think black makes a better portfolio, and brown for the briefcase.

Good luck with the interviews. I've been looking for a job in capital markets myself for around 6-months. competition is fierce!

 

[gsk3]

Thanks for the Coach suggestions, but just don't have time (first interview is a week today).
Wound up ordering this:
http://www.ebags.com/derek_alexander...m?modelid=2178
Looks to be decent quality, has pockets, non-zip-around. All of these things I came to realize were good things as I searched.
Had to pay $20 for shipping when regular shipping was free, but that's what I get for waiting, right?

Thanks,
Ari

 

[joseanes]

I got one from Staples: BUXTON leather writing pad portfolio. They have the $20 one and the $40. I have purchased both in the past (the $20 must have been loaned to a friend and never returned). I am very satisfied with the $40 one.

 

[seok]

i'm assuming that you're still in school? if so, the vast, vast majority of applicants for management consulting and i-banking jobs go in with portfolios of their schools, and i understand that it's a pretty well-accepted practice. u can get them in the university bookstore.

 

[demeis]

I got my brown coach for $60 at the outlet. Was originally $175, so if you have an outlet near by thats the way to go.

 

[gsk3]

Originally Posted by seok

i'm assuming that you're still in school? if so, the vast, vast majority of applicants for management consulting and i-banking jobs go in with portfolios of their schools, and i understand that it's a pretty well-accepted practice. u can get them in the university bookstore.

Unfortunately, I checked out this option the other day. $160.
Then I pulled out my trusty Guinness Book of World Records and looked up the four most expensive letters in the alphabet. The answer?
P-E-N-N
Or is that three letters?

Best,
Ari

 

[gsk3]

Originally Posted by joseanes

I got one from Staples: BUXTON leather writing pad portfolio. They have the $20 one and the $40. I have purchased both in the past (the $20 must have been loaned to a friend and never returned). I am very satisfied with the $40 one.

Hm, could've saved some bucks. Oh well.

Ari

 

[seok]

oh, i meant the leather folders that every interviewee seems to carry around...i remember that costing around $40...

Originally Posted by gsk3

Unfortunately, I checked out this option the other day. $160.
Then I pulled out my trusty Guinness Book of World Records and looked up the four most expensive letters in the alphabet. The answer?
P-E-N-N
Or is that three letters?

Best,
Ari

 

[Jared]

So any full-grain, black leather portfolio, either with or without a zipper, is an acceptably stylish accessory to an interview?

 

[sloaney]

I am saying this with the best of intentions, so don't shoot me.

I find leather portfolios (especially those with the very large college seals in gold) to be extremely tacky because they tend to be cheap, low quality and pretentious at the same time. It is the equivalent of the American Jackass look for college candidates, if you will. A college student trying to play "grown up". The ONLY people you see at the office carrying these leather portfolios are college-level interviewees. I would suggest a discreet, dark colored paper folder (my preference) or a quiet leather briefcase.

Am I out of my mind?

 

[summej2]

I have to agree, the so-called "padfolios" never struck me as very classy. I'd much rather see a discrete underarm briefcase: i.e., a true portfolio.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by sloaney

I find leather portfolios (especially those with the very large college seals in gold) to be extremely tacky because they tend to be cheap, low quality and pretentious at the same time. It is the equivalent of the American Jackass look for college candidates, if you will. A college student trying to play "grown up". The ONLY people you see at the office carrying these leather portfolios are college-level interviewees. I would suggest a discreet, dark colored paper folder (my preference) or a quiet leather briefcase.
Yeah, they struck me as a little pretentious, but they seemed to be the forum status quo, and with interviews one doesn't want one's accessories to stand out. I am looking to upgrade from the paper folder of my entry-level job days. I will be working in business-casual offices for the foreseeable future, so I only need a case to go with interview suits, but I'm willing to invest in a modestly-priced briefcase if it is the stylish choice. I assume "quiet" means black and soft, with a handle but no shoulder-strap. Where should one begin looking for a high-value model? For example, how are the cases of everyone's-favourite-shoe-maker Kenneth Cole?

 

[LabelKing]

I think Valextra makes a nice looking portfolio type case. Prada one season did a nice discreet one as well.