Should you bring an iced latte to a job interview? Apparently Generation Z is doing that, which some employers say is a big nope.
I have not been on an in-person job interview in … decades. I can’t imagine bringing a beverage of any kind in to one – not iced coffee, not hot coffee. Maybe a bottle of water?
I did a Zoom job interview one morning about 2023 and the person doing the interview suddenly asked me if I was distracted. He commented that I looked away from the camera. I told him, truthfully, that I was pouring coffee and I held up my clear glass coffee cup to show him. I didn’t get the job and I have occasionally wondered since then if my momentarily looking away contributed to their decision.
I have done very few job interviews in my career, so I am completely talking through my hat here, but I would say that if an applicant came in carrying a latte, it would be a mark against them but it would not be disqualifying itself.
P.S. I’ve been told that particular coffee cup makes it look like I’m drinking wine.