Career experts debate appropriateness of iced coffee in job interviews
Experts say whether bringing iced coffee to an interview is acceptable depends on company culture and the candidate’s professionalism, with opinions ranging from caution to indifference.
Social media users have been discussing whether carrying an iced coffee to a job interview is a harmless habit or a professional misstep, prompting commentary from recruiters and career advisers.
Dr. Colleen Batchelder, founder and CEO of the consulting firm Indiviti, noted that if employers consider the drink a deal-breaker, they should state that expectation in the interview invitation. > "This generation is pushing for workplace boundaries, fair pay, and work-life balance. For them, bringing iced coffee to a job interview isn't a sign of disrespect. It's just a beverage," she said, adding that a gap exists between Gen Z norms and hiring-manager expectations.
Amanda Augustine, a career expert at Careerminds, advised candidates to finish the drink before entering the interview area to avoid distractions, cold or wet hands, coffee breath, or accidental spills. > "You don't want it to be distracting," she said. Augustine said the blanket rule against any beverage feels outdated and that the suitability of a drink varies by industry and company culture. She suggested accepting a drink offered by the interviewer to observe the workplace environment.
Steve Levy, principal talent sourcing partner at Form Energy, argued that focusing on a candidate’s beverage choice distracts from the core hiring need. > "Are you so fixated on whether somebody drinks iced coffee that you're losing sight of the fact that your role's still unfilled 90 days later?" he said, describing the issue as a non-issue and warning against bias based on superficial criteria.
The differing viewpoints highlight that while some recruiters view an iced coffee as potentially distracting, others see it as irrelevant to a candidate’s ability to perform the job.