Recruiters debate whether bringing iced coffee to interviews is unprofessional

U.S. recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen said on TikTok that arriving at an interview with an iced coffee can look like the candidate "didn't have time to finish your coffee beforehand" and may suggest the interview is "just a stop on your list of errands for the day." The comment sparked what she called the "Great Iced Coffee Debate of 2026," with opinions divided on whether the beverage is a professional misstep.

Some respondents, such as Hanad, 28, who works for an energy supplier in London, argue that first impressions matter and that an iced coffee could appear immature or overly informal. He prefers water or a hot coffee, and would avoid energy drinks. Others, like Tsvetina, 24, contend that interview assessments should focus on communication rather than what a candidate brings, while Aisha, 28, believes an iced coffee can signal punctuality and personality.

Katy, 25, a personal assistant in events, suggested the debate may reflect gender bias, noting that criticism often targets women who drink iced coffee, whereas a hot coffee is perceived as more masculine. Lucy Cooper, founder of a design and branding recruitment firm, said junior candidates are generally cautious about actions that could jeopardise their chances and that the focus should be on skills, experience and behaviour rather than a single item. She added that accepting a coffee offered by the employer or drinking one during a video interview is acceptable.

The discussion occurs against a backdrop of a tightening job market for young workers in the UK and the US, where graduate vacancies have fallen and a significant share of 16-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training.