Binders Forum

[Anonymous User]

I went to an NY screener for an 1L SA, and the other interviewees had leather-bound binders. I assume they had resumes/misc. app-related material. I showed up empty-handed. For future reference, should I be bringing these things to screeners from now on? Nothing specifically happened where I needed materials or notes. Do I look unprofessional or... slightly naive showing up empty-handed?

[cfcm]

It's useful to bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, writing sample, etc.

[Anonymous User]

It's useful to bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, writing sample, etc.

Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to bring one next time. Is this something that people will notice and ding me for? I'm gonna guess no, but I just want to make sure that it doesn't rise to the level of a faux pas.

[blueapple]

It's useful to bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, writing sample, etc.

Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to bring one next time. Is this something that people will notice and ding me for? I'm gonna guess no, but I just want to make sure that it doesn't rise to the level of a faux pas.

They won't notice unless they ask for a copy of your resume, transcript, writing sample, or references and you don't have it.

[pancakes3]

It's useful to bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, writing sample, etc.

Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to bring one next time. Is this something that people will notice and ding me for? I'm gonna guess no, but I just want to make sure that it doesn't rise to the level of a faux pas.

They won't notice unless they ask for a copy of your resume, transcript, writing sample, or references and you don't have it.

Eh... interviewers will *notice*. People *notice* a lot of things when you walk in for an interview - your dress, your posture, your grooming, whether you've got a folio with you or not, etc. They may not care, but it's definitely noticed.

[blueapple]

It's useful to bring extra copies of your resume, transcript, writing sample, etc.

Thank you for telling me. I'll be sure to bring one next time. Is this something that people will notice and ding me for? I'm gonna guess no, but I just want to make sure that it doesn't rise to the level of a faux pas.

They won't notice unless they ask for a copy of your resume, transcript, writing sample, or references and you don't have it.

Eh... interviewers will *notice*. People *notice* a lot of things when you walk in for an interview - your dress, your posture, your grooming, whether you've got a folio with you or not, etc. They may not care, but it's definitely noticed.

Guess my tongue-in-cheek didn't translate. My point was that you should always have one.

[Anonymous User]

They won't notice unless they ask for a copy of your resume, transcript, writing sample, or references and you don't have it.

Guess my tongue-in-cheek didn't translate. My point was that you should always have one.

OP here. I guess I'm just an idiot for not knowing. That's what I get for never having interviewed for any legal job before. None of those things were ever requested so I don't think the interviewers cared, but I guess it's really important to bring a folio next time around.

[pancakes3]

OP here. I guess I'm just an idiot for not knowing. That's what I get for never having interviewed for any legal job before. None of those things were ever requested so I don't think the interviewers cared, but I guess it's really important to bring a folio next time around.

in a similar vein, once you start your summer job, bring pad and paper with you any time you report in to your supervising attorney.

[blueapple]

They won't notice unless they ask for a copy of your resume, transcript, writing sample, or references and you don't have it.

Guess my tongue-in-cheek didn't translate. My point was that you should always have one.

OP here. I guess I'm just an idiot for not knowing. That's what I get for never having interviewed for any legal job before. None of those things were ever requested so I don't think the interviewers cared, but I guess it's really important to bring a folio next time around.

Don't sweat it -- you're not an idiot. It's hard to know these things if nobody has ever told you. Now you know for next time (and I don't think the fact that you didn't have a folio with you this time will hurt you).

[Anonymous User]

Female here. For my last callback, I brought a small black tote with my folio, wallet, cell phone (off), and car keys mostly bc i was going straight to the airport after. Nothing made noise or seemed to be in the way, but for the future, just the folio is best? I could obviously check my bag with my coat.

[zhenders]

OP, I really can’t imagine anyone dinging you for this, or even noticing its absence. Yes, it’s a good idea to have extras on hand in the event you get asked for them—but beyond that, no one is thinking, “welp, this person didn’t bring a folio. We’re done here.”

I totally get this kind of worry, but it falls into the “unnecessary paranoia” bucket. There are plenty of other things the interviewers ARE paying attention to, and whether you have a leatherman is not one of them.

[blueapple]

Female here. For my last callback, I brought a small black tote with my folio, wallet, cell phone (off), and car keys mostly bc i was going straight to the airport after. Nothing made noise or seemed to be in the way, but for the future, just the folio is best? I could obviously check my bag with my coat.

I've always brought a bag with me for interviews.

[Mullens]

OP, I really can’t imagine anyone dinging you for this, or even noticing its absence. Yes, it’s a good idea to have extras on hand in the event you get asked for them—but beyond that, no one is thinking, “welp, this person didn’t bring a folio. We’re done here.”

I totally get this kind of worry, but it falls into the “unnecessary paranoia” bucket. There are plenty of other things the interviewers ARE paying attention to, and whether you have a leatherman is not one of them.

Eh I feel like I would notice if someone came to my office completely empty-handed. If you’re a woman and had a purse large enough to fit a folio I might just assume it’s in there (and nothing wrong with having a purse). But I would notice if a male candidate showed up without anything. It would signal a lack of preparation to me but for a 1L interview I wouldn’t ding you for it, more just naïveté.

Also a good time for OP to reflect on other legal industry standards that might be different from other interviews/industries. Make sure your clothes are well-fitted and appropriate, etc.