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For OCI's is it a good idea to put your resumes in folders (simple 3-hole punch folder)? I have a few actual interviews that I thought it might be professional to do that for. However, there are a lot of tables where it seems like you just drop off your resume and make a little chit chat. I feel like if I put my resume in a 3-hole punch folder, especially for just dropping it off at a table, it might not be wanted. What's the custom here?

Thanks.

Welcome to one of law school's greatest traditions: the padfolio. Keep resumes in there, drop them off as appropriate. Also take time to enjoy how important carrying one around makes you feel.

dixon02 wrote:Welcome to one of law school's greatest traditions: the padfolio. Keep resumes in there, drop them off as appropriate. Also take time to enjoy how important carrying one around makes you feel.

OP here:

Haha, yeah, I have one of those. Is that all I need then? Even for the one on one interviews?

Anonymous User wrote:

dixon02 wrote:Welcome to one of law school's greatest traditions: the padfolio. Keep resumes in there, drop them off as appropriate. Also take time to enjoy how important carrying one around makes you feel.

OP here:

Haha, yeah, I have one of those. Is that all I need then? Even for the one on one interviews?

Reasonable minds can disagree on this, but (coming from the other side of the hiring table) I've heard that you can come across as a tool if you have anything more than a resume to hand off, unless more is specifically requested.

In a better safe than sorry world, I'd forgo the folders in lieu of the padfolio.

patrickd139 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

dixon02 wrote:Welcome to one of law school's greatest traditions: the padfolio. Keep resumes in there, drop them off as appropriate. Also take time to enjoy how important carrying one around makes you feel.

OP here:

Haha, yeah, I have one of those. Is that all I need then? Even for the one on one interviews?

Reasonable minds can disagree on this, but (coming from the other side of the hiring table) I've heard that you can come across as a tool if you have anything more than a resume to hand off, unless more is specifically requested.

In a better safe than sorry world, I'd forgo the folders in lieu of the padfolio.

OP here:

Yeah, I definitely don't want to come off like an ass-hat. There's a fine line between looking like you took extra time to be professional and looking like you want a gold star for your over-the-top organization.

Anonymous User wrote:

patrickd139 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

dixon02 wrote:Welcome to one of law school's greatest traditions: the padfolio. Keep resumes in there, drop them off as appropriate. Also take time to enjoy how important carrying one around makes you feel.

OP here:

Haha, yeah, I have one of those. Is that all I need then? Even for the one on one interviews?

Reasonable minds can disagree on this, but (coming from the other side of the hiring table) I've heard that you can come across as a tool if you have anything more than a resume to hand off, unless more is specifically requested.

In a better safe than sorry world, I'd forgo the folders in lieu of the padfolio.

OP here:

Yeah, I definitely don't want to come off like an ass-hat. There's a fine line between looking like you took extra time to be professional and looking like you want a gold star for your over-the-top organization.

My understanding is that folders cross that line in a bad way.

I think it's sort of telling that I originally misread the title of this post as OCD: Folders for your resume.

I just use a padfolio with resumes, transcripts (90% of people wanted one), and like 2-3 copies each of writing sample, undergrad transcript and alternate resume/writing sample for IP positions in the back. I would give out ~10 resumes for every 9 transcripts and 3-4 writing samples, and the undergrad transcripts probably came up once every 10 people or so.

kryptix wrote:I just use a padfolio with resumes, transcripts (90% of people wanted one), and like 2-3 copies each of writing sample, undergrad transcript and alternate resume/writing sample for IP positions in the back. I would give out ~10 resumes for every 9 transcripts and 3-4 writing samples, and the undergrad transcripts probably came up once every 10 people or so.

My rate of undergrad transcript requests was closer to 1/50-1/100, but I wasn't IP. I did find a list of references came in handy in a couple of places (not that it mattered for me, but I'm fairly certain Covington requires references).

Cravath wants undergraduate transcripts, but noone else does as far as I know. Covington, Arnold & Porter, and a handful of other firms want references. If you're at a school with a lottery system, those employers will definitely want transcripts. Many firms/interviewers will want updated resumes as well. Some firms want writing samples.

aces wrote:Cravath wants undergraduate transcripts, but noone else does as far as I know. Covington, Arnold & Porter, and a handful of other firms want references. If you're at a school with a lottery system, those employers will definitely want transcripts. Many firms/interviewers will want updated resumes as well. Some firms want writing samples.

Seward wants undergraduate transcripts.

Best practice is to just to have a writing sample, a list of references, and undergraduate transcript to go along with the resume. Keep the resume on top of the pile. Don't offer any of it unless asked for it. They'll most likely only ask for the resume, but I've been asked for some or all of the other things before. It's good to have a copy on hand just in case.

NinerFan wrote:Best practice is to just to have a writing sample, a list of references, and undergraduate transcript to go along with the resume. Keep the resume on top of the pile. Don't offer any of it unless asked for it. They'll most likely only ask for the resume, but I've been asked for some or all of the other things before. It's good to have a copy on hand just in case.

Yeah I was more referring to what I would print out at the beginning of the day. I found that 10-15 resumes/transcripts and 2-3 of the others generally would last me a whole day of OCI. I didn't like having to go on a printing run during the day.

And yes, I have a possible IP background which led to more request for undergrad transcripts.

I did folders based on advice that a 3L gave me, and it probably made zero difference (or looked stupid -- I honestly didn't know any better at the time). Just put your stuff in a padfolio and you'll be fine. There's usually plenty of time to go back and forth between the "waiting area" and hospitality suites anyway that you're not going to be rushed.

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