AIBU to think takeaway iced coffee at interviews is unprofessional?

I used to interview people for a living and the standard set up was a jug of water and glasses. I would think it was kind of odd. I would mention it to a potential manager. I never had anyone bring anything to eat or drink in an interview. I guess if it was one in a long line of odd things they did then their cumulative ’oddness’ might do them out of a job offer.

I’ve never heard of an emergency iced coffee being required to stave off a diabetic reaction. Don’t they carry sweets for that sort of thing?

Anyway, what’s the view on one of those giant slurpees?

I think there's a difference between a bottle of water for hydration and an iced coffee. There's no need for any food/drink in an interview, barring medical conditions.

Lmao not even remotely the same thing and if you think it is you need to give your head a wobble. Neurotypicals are not a marginalised group you absolute imbecile.

When I said "keep digging" I was being sarcastic, but hey, you do you.

Gladly. The fact that you think jokingly calling out neurotypicals (not a marginalised group) for being judgmental is the same as racism (which is against marginalised groups), goes to show your level of intelligence. It’s actually embarrassing.

Is drinking coffee at a job interview okay or not?

Either it is or it isn't.

If it is okay, why does it matter whether the candidate brings their own coffee in with them, or the panel offer them a cup of coffee from office chinaware?

If it's not okay, surely an interview panel shouldn't be offering it either?

It's not etiquette and doesn't come across as professional. Feeling the need to take anything than water immediately raises the question...can this person seriously not do without their fix for the session.

I wouldn’t do it because I think it’s unprofessional, but it wouldn’t stop me from hiring a candidate who was otherwise very good.
I have seen some sights when interviewing, and an iced coffee would be nothing compared to them!

Personally I think anyone who genuinely doesn’t know what a Support Worker is - or can work it out for themselves - is showing their own privilege.

In my day, you waited till you were seated and then, if you were lucky, the interviewer might offer you a glass of water. Ex NHS in my 50’s

Why would you need to bring an iced coffee, or anything else to eat or drink to an interview?

If you must have an iced coffee, then either have one before the interview starts, or get one after it ends.

Imagine how unprofessional it would look if everyone in a customer facing role has an iced coffee in their hands, or even in sight?

Imagine if a receptionist in a hotel had an iced coffee on their desk while you check in, or a flight attendant has one in their hands whilst your boarding a plane, your solicitor/accountant has one while you're meeting them, at a supermarket checkout the till person has one in view, etc.

It would look very unprofessional and rightly so.

I wouldn’t expect it on the counter right next to where you are but if a lower more behind desk which is pretty normal then don’t see the issue really

No problem if it's out of sight, and you're drinking from it where there's no customers in view, but comparing it with taking an iced coffee to an interview, the interviewer is obviously going to see it.

Having read the whole thread (very entertaining btw). I’m more confused about how one poster claims not to know what an iced coffee is and how the OP claims to not understand what a support worker does 🤣 the world of mumsnet is astounding

I agree with this.

If you’re interviewing all day you might need a caffeinated drink to keep you going, although I think a tea or coffee you’ve made, in a normal mug is somehow more professional than a sweetened takeaway drink.

Interviewee - you can surely wait or have your drink beforehand

It’s unprofessional to take a drink into an interview. It looks like you were in a rush.

13-20 months ago when I was job hunting as unemployed, all of potential employers had either a water fountain at reception, had jug/bottles of water with glasses on the table or someone on the panel asked me if i wanted some water.

I always got water. Even when I grabbed a cup of water in the reception area, I even asked if it was ok for me to bring this through.

Drinking water in interviews has its purposes. One it keeps you hydrated and throat lubricated. As stressful situations make my mouth dry. Also you can gather thoughts when drinking as the interviewer can you see you are pre occupied with drinking water. This is better than looking in the distance.

Earlier this month, I was on interview panels for jobs on my grade. The three of us - my grade, team leader and manager had glasses of water during the interviews. Not our own bottles we drink from on days we are in the office. I didn’t see anyone we interviewed with a drink brought in from outside . Had a jug of water on the table. Some took a drink, some didn’t.

In the next room, colleagues interviewed a lad chewing gum all the time. They said he wouldn’t get the job. Chewing gum during an interview looks slobbish.