As we discussed in the newsletter last week, there has been a lot of chatter online about Gen Z bringing their Starby’s iced latte into job interviews. They are being dragged for this behaviour all over reddit and TikTok, with some saying it’s totally unprofessional and some defending their right to bring the cold caffeination of their choice.
Would I do it? No, but I’m a millennial that likes their coffee hotter than hades. But would I care if a candidate did? Also, no. Unless they were being very distracting with the swishing and the straw biting.
So, we posed the questions to you: Is it unprofessional to bring iced coffee to a job interview? This one wasn’t even close and only one brave soldier gave their reason why they think it’s just fine.
Here are the official poll results:
And here are some of my favourite responses:
Yes! Finish your coffee beforehand.
“You only get one chance to make a “first impression”.
“I think the Gen Z’s that do this need a bit of coaching on making a good impression. I would consider it inappropriate in the corporate world.”
“Drinking and/or eating while giving attention to somebody is a familial habit. In most cases, (I am assuming), the applicants are not known to the interviewer and thus should not be showing disrespect in such a way.”
“Don’t do it!!!!! As a carpenter I once fired a guy on his first day because he was 10 minutes late and wouldn’t put his Tim’s coffee down to help me carry in the tools, says this grumpy Papa”
“I suppose it’s called etiquette. Not a lot of Gen Z know much about that topic these days. So that tells you what era I grew up in. No food or beverages in an interview. Period.”
“Graduated Dal in ’84, no one carried a beverage with them to class, or on the street, it would have been considered tacky. That said, you could still smoke in the SUB during your caffeine fix, and laptops were the size of sewing machines. Whatever has changed in the past 42 years, you still don’t bring food or drink to an interview – it’s basic bad manners, are you going to offer the interviewer a coffee? ”
“Who wants to hire a coffee and sugar addict with a sticky handshake and a tude? Cup in one hand, phone in the other and already thinking about the next nails appointment. Hm, can I think of any other stereotypes?
“Good luck getting a job. Remember, it’s still us old folks doing the hiring.”
“Iced coffee would make too much noise while taking a drink. Not the right move in an interview. A step up would be to call ahead and ask what the interviewer takes in their coffee and bring an extra one to the interview!”
“Unless you know you are interviewing with a Gen X or heavily Gen X company e.g. software or programmers, Google etc. don’t! Come prepared and professional until you know the vibe.”
“It is a sign of respect for the interviewers If you can’t give 100% concentration for the relatively short time an interview takes then how do expect a new employer to believe you will do so for a work assignment?”
“I can’t believe anybody would even consider doing anything that might put them at a disadvantage, even a small one, with a competitor for a job. Bringing a coffee into an interview just says, ‘I am quite self-absorbed, thank you very much.”
“If you want the job, save your social rebellion for after you are hired.. It is easier to effect change when inside an organization than preaching as an outsider… GenZ influencers should realize this.”
One of the ways companies evaluate candidates is their response to an offer of coffee. In particular, what do you do after the interview is over and the ceramic mug is sitting in front of you. Are you a team player, if so you’ll pick up the cup and ask where you go to wash it. If you bring your own bevy, you f up the test. (Some high tech companies send a car for you and ask the driver to rate you – the interview starts the moment they screen you in)”
“You can have both the brains and be the best person for the job but also present it as a package with some solid work ethic and pride in presentation!”
No! All that matters is you’re the right fit for the job.
“I don’t understand why this is even a thing, who cares if you drink a coffee during an interview or not?”
There you have it! But I must wrap up with my most favourite comment I received on the coffee conundrum. It came in via email and I appreciated it so much I had to feature it in a video. I absolutely LOVE Kathleen and her honesty. It made my whole week.
