What to bring to a coffee appointment with a partner Forum

[Anonymous User]

Got a coffee appointment with a partner from a big law firm next week. Was wondering what I should bring, if anything. It's not an official interview; just lunch/coffee from what she said. Do I need to bring a notebook or something? I don't want to look weird, but I also don't want to look unprepared by being empty-handed.

[Borg]

Notebook and pen, have good questions ready.

[wuduhel]

I've always taken my messenger bag with a notepad in it. After the meeting and person is gone, I write down my notes. I've pulled the pad out once during coffee when the person asked me if I wanted to write down what he was saying.

[Anonymous User]

One of those little interview pad/portfolio/whatevers should be fine.

For the most part you'll just be writing down notes (100% harmless), but it gives you the option of hiding your resume & other potentially useful documents somewhere in there JUST IN CASE without looking like a douche. 99% of the time you won't have use for it during a lunch appointment but it's possible. If it's someone that is likely more helpful like an alum you could always say something like "oh hey I was wondering if you could look over my resume and give me any feedback to market myself better to firms" etc. After the actual lunch of course. Don't wanna do it while s/he's eating.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks guys for the help.

[Anonymous User]

I had one of those and got a callback out of it, so I would think of it as a screener if I were you. I didn't bring anything to mine though since it was pretty casual.

[piccolittle]

I had one of those and got a callback out of it, so I would think of it as a screener if I were you. I didn't bring anything to mine though since it was pretty casual.

Same for me. I brought my OCI portfolio with a notepad in it, but I kept it on the booth seat next to me. I would wear suit pants/skirt and a button-down dress shirt, though.

[flcath]

Apron. Pen and pad to take order. The rest will already be there for you.

[rad lulz]

Apron. Pen and pad to take order. The rest will already be there for you.

Credited.

[Anonymous User]

i actually will have one of these appointments with a hiring partner. what do you think? still note and pen? she got my resume and other materials already.

[skw]

i actually will have one of these appointments with a hiring partner. what do you think? still note and pen? she got my resume and other materials already.

I've done several of these. Bring a leather folio with copies of your resume + pad & pen, but you most likely will not need to open the folio, write anything down, or offer your resume (partner already has it). Coffee interviews are to assess your social skills/weirdness quotient and may also be indicative of the partner's lack of time for anything more substantial. Go, be yourself, be normal and drink coffee. You will be fine.

[Anonymous User]

thanks. i was only worried that the partner was not interested enough - which is why she did not want me to go up to her office.

[viking138]

thanks. i was only worried that the partner was not interested enough - which is why she did not want me to go up to her office.

The fact that it's a coffee meeting, not even entering the offices, makes it MUCH less official. I did a bunch of these and wore business casual. If boy, wear slacks and a button down. If girl, wear something business appropriate. But not a suit -- it might be off-putting and presumptuous to the partner.

Also, re the notepad... it's coffee so the partner is probably expecting a casual chat. Have a notebook or something with you, and if you get some piece of advice, name of a person or book that's important, etc. etc., then say "do you mind if I write that down? That's a great tip / I want to remember that." etc.

BUT if not in NYC then disregard. This was for large corporate law firms, meeting outside the firm.

[Myself]

.

[piccolittle]

I had one of those and got a callback out of it, so I would think of it as a screener if I were you. I didn't bring anything to mine though since it was pretty casual.

Same for me. I brought my OCI portfolio with a notepad in it, but I kept it on the booth seat next to me. I would wear suit pants/skirt and a button-down dress shirt, though.

Not a full suit? Would it be different for coffee vs. lunch?

At the end of the day, it's still coffee. I carried my suit jacket.

[Anonymous User]

Not a full suit? Would it be different for coffee vs. lunch?[/quote]
At the end of the day, it's still coffee. I carried my suit jacket.[/quote]

Yeah I went with suit and no tie, which ended up being kinda what the partner was wearing

[viking138]

Not a full suit? Would it be different for coffee vs. lunch?

At the end of the day, it's still coffee. I carried my suit jacket.[/quote]

Yeah I went with suit and no tie, which ended up being kinda what the partner was wearing[/quote]

Yes because the partner was coming from work. I mean you're not going to ruin anything by wearing a suit (and I like the suit and no tie), I'm just saying that the partner is most likely looking at this as "helping young lawyers learn about practices," not as an informal interview. Most likely, not definitely, so you never know... but they'd meet you in their office if they wanted to interview you.

[Anonymous User]

i expected a casual chat but the chat was a very thorough interview (he walked through my resume in greater detail than any interviewer) that lasted a whole hour. his colleague came down during our chat too and stayed a while before going back.