AIBU to think takeaway iced coffee at interviews is unprofessional?

[MasterBeth]

Apparently, the world is debating this topic. Let's join in:

Is it unprofessional to bring a takeaway iced coffee into a job interview?

The answer to me is blindingly obvious, but not to everyone, it seems.

Feel free to add your age and industry, in case that matters.

I heard a story once from an old colleague - could be BS, but knowing them I suspect it was true.

They were the hiring manager for a grad scheme at a big company in London. Being a decent company, and a grad scheme they paid for train fare too and from London for all the candidates. Someone phoned to say they were running late due to an issue with the trains. not a huge issue, these things happen and at least they called.

The interviewee showed up two hours late, carrying some Harrods bags. Turns out, they had never been to London before, and combined the interview and free train with some shopping and sightseeing and thought they could cross London a lot quicker than than they actually could

Yes, there should have been water provided.

Maybe they had done their research on who your biggest customers were and wanted to show solidarity

You wouldn’t notice? How could you not?

No very unprofessional. Doesn’t matter what the job is for. First impressions count a lot.

but an interview isn't the workplace!

It's pretty standard that you present yourself differently in an interview compared to when you're actually working somewhere. You speak differently, dress more formally, usually don't make jokes, use different body language and generally try to present the absolute best version of yourself you can.

For me it's one of those cost/benefit scenarios.

The possible benefit to you is you drink an iced coffee slightly earlier than you would if you waited until after the interview to drink it.
Possible negatives are if you accidentally spill it you look clumsy and unprofessional, or even if your interviewer happens to be one of the many people who just think it's inappropriate - it could cost you the job.

So the potential negatives seem to vastly outweigh the positives. It seems a silly thing to stake a job on when you could just wait half an hour and have the coffee then.

I think it’s a massive lack of judgement to be so aggressive asking about what a support worker is.
The kinds of jobs they might do- take people to the toilet, push people around in wheelchairs, support people with going out and about, help people to get dressed, help fill in forms.
How have you never heard of a support worker who are literally the backbone of society yet care so much about someone drinking iced coffee?

Wow this is interesting. I work in tech and interview a lot and I don't think I would even blink an eye if a candidate did this. Have definitely had people show up with takeaway coffee cups before. Our office is really near a super nice coffee place. Good to know not everyone thinks this is normal though ... will make sure I don't do this in any interviews in the future 😂

Short skirts? No
Jeans? No
Dirty finger nails? No
Being unprepared? No
Bringing in an iced coffee? Why not?

I'm definitely in another world or of a certain age.

I nearly wrote "I wouldn't notice" in my answer. I genuinely almost wouldn't notice. It would be a non event.

I would never do it, but it's always welcomed when I'm offered water as interviews make me nervous and my throat always gets dry.

But why is it unprofessional and lacking in insight?

Is taking a bottle of water unprofessional?

What if they offer you a hot drink? Is that a trick question and if you accept you lack insight?

I think as long as the drink isn't distracting and just quiet, discreet sips whilst listening to the question, I don't understand the concern.

I've interviewed numerous candidates for jobs and someone bringing a drink in wouldn't concern me.

Ive also sipped water in interviews myself, helps with dry mouth due to nerves (wouldn't accept coffee for fear of needing a wee!)

What’s unprofessional about a drink??

I don't see the problem. (Forties, IT consulting, not HR, but I sat more interviews as the interviewer than interviewee side)

Calling it "unprofessional" sounds like some imaginary, made up rules to me.
If it makes the candidate feel better or more relaxed, more able to proof what they can do, who cares?

it's hardly judgemental to not want to hire someone with neither critical thinking skills, nor any initiative (seriously, why not just google it if you honestly didn't know?) whom you'd have to walk through and spoon feed every single task.

If you can't work out that an iced coffee is a coffee with ice in it, (and, worse, feel comfortable telling people you don't know that) how would you possibly cope in the workplace if asked to get the 'Smith file,' or the 'annual accounts' or the 'headed paper,' etc.?

Someone who brings their own iced coffee is not the right person because they don't understand enough of the basic rituals of a professional workplace. I want to hire people who will at least consider that bringing in their own iced coffee could be a no-no to some interviewers. Then I want them to realise that the easiest way for them to not raise the tiniest of red flags is to not bring an iced coffee into a job interview.

We always offer people tea/coffee/water. Either it’s in the room if the interviews are back to back, or in the kitchen area and we make polite small talk whilst making it. I prefer the latter, it’s good to see and speak to the candidates in a less formal way.

Do you sit and clutch it throughout the interview? What if you need to do something that requires both hands? It seems like unnecessary added faff and extra potential for something to go wrong.

Blimey, how have you managed that?

I held a zoom interview an the applicant not only had a coffee with her but started eating biscuits

Where do you work?

I work in a city where grabbing a coffee en route to the office is normal non-event.

I really don't get why you think it's against the "basic rituals of a professional workplace"??

I think it’s rude to meet anyone with a drink/food for yourself and not other people.
And you wouldn’t bring anything for the interviewers because that’s really cringy.

Just being nosy… Do you work in the family business? Or not work outside the home? Unusual to have never had a job interview…

Did you not read what I said about the drink being obvious but I thought I was missing something due to it being a massive talking point. It's certainly not critical thinking I am missing. The very opposite as I've raised a query.

Is it any coffee? Any takeaway cup? Or just an iced coffee?