Interview preparation can feel a bit daunting, and it's easy to miss some of the basic items you might want to bring on interview day. One item that is often overlooked until the night before is a leather interview portfolio (sometimes also referred to as "leather padfolio" because it holds a notepad) to hold your resume prints, pen, and notepad. In this post we'll help you identify the right leather portfolio for your upcoming interview for any budget.
Best Value Leather Portfolio On a Budget (faux leather, under $25): Opus Interview Portfolio and Resume Paper
The interview portfolio from Opus Paper Co offers something that other portfolios plainly do not - premium resume paper included. This faux leather product comes in black with white stiching and 20 sheets of premium resume paper. Our recommendation for any low-cost portfolio is to choose a black color, because the quality of a faux leather portfolio just isn't there to pull off brown or other colors.
Best value leather portfolio on a budget, runner up: STYLIO Padfolio
If you stopped reading this article at the STYLIO black faux leather padfolio, you'd be safe. The sleek black design is simple and carries a notepad, pen, and includes a pocket for resumes. While the STYLIO padfolio is a great value product, it does only come only in black. Pro-tip: the resume pocket isn't super flexible out of the package, so loosen the pocket with one hand while you slide your resumes in to help keep your resume prints in tip top shape. This resume portfolio is one of the highest selling in the U.S.
Best Value Leather Portfolio for Women (Faux Leather, Under $25): Samsill Trifold Envelope
Just like the other Samsill leather portfolio on our list, this trifold envelope offers a reasonably stylish option tailored for women. While standard bifold designs can be used by men and women alike, these trifold designs offer a somewhat unique, sleek, and feminine touch. Expect the same quality and general design as other Samsills, but with an added flap that curls over the top when closed. In the added flap you'll find a pen holder and business card holder.
Best Value Genuine Leather Portfolio ($25 - $100): Alpine Swiss Genuine Leather Writing Pad Portfolio
Alpine Swiss leather portfolio offers a high quality and high utility genuine leather resume portfolio at a reasonable price. The product is available in three colors: black, brown, and a greyish color called "smoke". The value in this product is aided by its versatility: the notepad can be flipped for left-handed writers, there is a sleeve for a full size tablet, and it includes a high quality zipper. Given the genuine leather, quality build, and utility-oriented functionality, this resume portfolio can not only help you shine in your interview but also deliver long-lasting value in the workplace.
Best Value Genuine Leather Portfolio ($25 - $100), runner up: Royce Genuine Leather Portfolio
A close second best option in genuine leather portfolios is the Royce Genuine Leather Portfolio. For a single interview, the Royce leather portfolio is going to be perfect - it's simple, comes in a wide variety of colors, and also comes with a lifetime warranty. This model doesn't have some of the features as the Alpine Swiss, like additional pockets, but as a result it's also a bit sleeker. If just used during interviews, a sleek leather portfolio will be easy to handle. While both the Alpine Swiss and Royce are high quality resume portfolios, you might be able to squeeze a bit more use out of the Alpine due to some of the added features like a zipper and extra pockets over the long term.
Bonus: Best Premium Genuine Leather Portfolio ($100+): Bosca Old Leather Portfolio
About Resumates
Resumates is an online resume printing service: we print your finished resume and deliver it to your door in two days, saving you precious hours to prepare for your upcoming interview or career fair. Our resume printing options are on premium paper, including white, ivory, and almond resume paper and a variety of paper weights. Skip the copy shop and relying on that old dusty old printer - simply upload your resume, select your favorite paper, and receive 25 prints of your finished resume within two days ($11.95+).