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 know an iced coffee is a bit causal but is it really any different to bringing in a hot coffee? Would that be a no too?

Slight tangent, but in the same vein. I work for an established tech company in sales, so it’s pretty corporate. During an internal group video call, an individual was drinking a can of Tango. Don’t know why, but it felt unprofessional.

I think it is a a little bit rude
It feels pretty greedy and needy
I think it is a tiny bit distracting
I think it shows a small to medium lack of...

Wow. Can you hear yourself?
Letting your feelings and personal opinions about something super small to influence your evaluation of a candidate? It sounds so self-important and judgmental.

Unless you are hiring a coach of mid-level corporate etiquette, try to not get distracted so easily and don't focus on a made up nonsense.

I hire people, not robots.

As long as they're people that stay within your very narrow and arbitrary set of rules, obviously.

I've worked in two professions for any length of time. In the police (though this is 30 years ago, but I would think would still apply?) - definitely inappropriate in interview. Far too informal, shows a lack of restraint.

In software and tech support, as an interviewer it would barely register and would be fine. As a candidate I'd never do it (far too worried I'd spill it down it me, apart from anything else).

Nicely ironic.

The interviewer should be the professional in hiring and focus on the actually important stuff. Being bothered and distracted by their feelings about a coffee is the only unprofessional thing in the room.

On the other hand, the interviewee, unless applying for HR job, is a professional in something else. And human as well.

I'd think less of a candidate if they brought a drink in for an interview. It feels a bit too casual. If it came down between two or three people who seemed equally good fits for the job, I'd probably choose someone who didn't bring a drink or food in with them. 💁And it would never occur to me to bring something to sip or nibble on to an interview, either. Save it for later.

48, NHS. Extremely rude.

Heaven forbid!

I wouldn't do it as an interviewee but as an interviewer I'd not judge it a bad thing.

Maybe they were killing time after turning up early to make sure they were on time. Maybe it's a comfort to have something to hold or sip from. Maybe they don't know the fact it's mostly frowned upon.

If they interview well who really cares? What is it telling you that their answers and demeanour during interview doesn't? That they have a penchant for cold stimulants?

I work in mental health.

I work in finance and have done many interviews within professional services firm and within a corporate. I guess I’ve been in enough bad interviews that have taught me where to be picky and where not to be. For me this isn’t one. I might have other things I care about though that others wouldn’t

Age 41, manager at a uni, creative role

Turn up in jeans if you like but bring a takeaway coffee? God no! It’ll make things awkward and I would be concerned about your judgement. Just finish your drink and bin it before you arrive.

Yes

Part of the important stuff I am hiring for is the ability to present themselves in client workspaces, being aware of the sensibilities of others.

Nope, it's tacky and unprofessional. It does appear immature, frivolous and not very sensitive to what is needed in formal occasions. I would definitely judge. I work in a school.
Practically: condensation, ice nose, slurping, that weird noise straws make sliding in and out of the plastic lid, one hand not free and cold and damp (not great when meeting people and shaking hands), spilling. I wouldn't take a hot coffee in either for most of the above reasons. Once offered a drink (provided you're sitting and settled, not juggling your portfolio /CV, coat and briefcase /bag on the way into the interview room) it's fine to accept.

Yes, for me anyway

Why would clients care if they brought an iced coffee into their workspace?

I don't get where the obsession with constant drinking came from. At primary school we had metal jugs of water and you maybe had a wee flask of squash. No one was drinking constantly. You had a drink in the morning, lunch and then what you wanted once home.

I'd always have water available at interviews for candidates. Most never touch it. The average interview in my workplace (university) is 45 mins.

I have had people turn up in jeans which I thought was unprofessional. It was pushing smart/casual a bit too far. I'd probably not be so bothered now as it's much more casual post COVID but I do expect people to make a little bit of effort.

One of the professors who was appointed to my team looked like she'd rolled out of a hedge at her interview. I was not impressed. You don't have to be polished to within an inch of your life but some effort is important.

It's a formal process so leave the drink for after.

Mid 40s
University

I feel like I want to challenge myself to have increasingly unhinged drinks on video calls just to see at which point it gets noted and commented on. I feel like the next step from tango is a massive can of Monster followed by drinking from a 2L bottle of Lilt. Going to work my way up to a 6 pinter of milk. I wonder where a slush puppy in a refillable novelty bottle with a curly straw would come on the list

Water only.
Also when people arrive late to work with a takeaway cup - cannot help but judge.

That’s fair enough. I was just curious about whether you had a view on this

What about a hot coffee? 😅

The exception to this at my work is if they ring someone and get them to take coffee orders from rest of the team. Then they’re elevated to hero status

This would be amazing. I think a slush puppy with a curly straw maybe a discrete note to HR about your wellbeing, especially if being drunk in the morning 😂