Briefcase on a networking trip?

I am going to New York tomorrow to meet with an alumni at a BB. He is an associate IB and I have only spoken to him twice. I am meeting him at the BB and he is going to bring me around to network with others. My question is, is it appropriate for me to bring a briefcase with me. I am taking a bus into the city and would like to bring a book with me but am unsure if it would be innapropriate for me to carry it around. I know I have heard of interviewers complain about much more miniscule things and I definately do not want to make a bad first impression. Thanks.

 
Best Response

If you are going to be carrying a book or two and a newspaper and such to keep yourself occupied (for example, if you have a bit of a long trip), then bring the briefcase - nothing fancy, but a simple bag to carry a book, notepad and such is fine. If, however, you don't need to bring a book and want to know if you should bring a briefcase for the look of one or as a fashion point, then don't - leave the briefcase at home.

If you have the option to bring one and carry things or don't bring one and carry nothing, then just come as you are and leave the briefcase at home. If you are either going to be carrying books in your hands or in a bag, then just bring the bag. Stop worrying about little things and focus on being yourself and making a good impression (a simple bag is not going to make or break you - although bringing an overpriced extravagant bag from Ferragamo, or the like could easily make you the butt of a few jokes).

 

No briefcase. If you want to bring a book, bring one. You can easily find a place to stash it before the interview - you could even ask the security officer in the lobby to hold it for you. At the very least, I'm sure the guy you're visiting would allow you to leave it in his cube before he takes you around.

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

Animi at quisquam eligendi culpa in ducimus dolore. Aliquam blanditiis perferendis exercitationem laudantium. Reiciendis ipsa voluptas dolor tempora.

Et cumque corrupti corrupti voluptatem architecto fuga ut. Adipisci blanditiis dolorum corporis cupiditate repellat. Aut ut et doloremque est velit ut pariatur.

Velit et et perspiciatis vel voluptatibus iure. Et aut suscipit rerum ea unde mollitia. Natus consequatur rerum sunt sit. Amet consequatur optio ab repudiandae atque iusto provident dolor. Adipisci necessitatibus est aut unde ea. Culpa minima explicabo laboriosam qui. Ducimus ut dolor quibusdam voluptatem perspiciatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”