Could an iced coffee freeze you out of the job market?
Employees and recruiters weigh into the online debate around interview etiquette.
A TikTok video sparked a debate about whether bringing an iced coffee to a job interview could be unprofessional. US recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen warned that it might appear the candidate hadn't finished their coffee beforehand, suggesting it looked like they were just stopping by for errands. This led to what she calls the "Great Iced Coffee Debate of 2026."
Some argue that an iced coffee is unprofessional, too informal, and a distraction, while others believe it's an overreaction to the challenges young people face in the job market.
Wehniainen clarified that her point was to avoid distractions, not that coffee makes someone a bad candidate. Young professionals have multiple challenges, with graduate vacancies in the UK nearly halving in the past year. One in eight young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training. Young workers in the US are also struggling with a tight job market.
Experts agree that employers should not rely on snap judgments, including the contents of a candidate's bag. Dan Craddock, director at Hays, advises that employers should focus on skills, experience, and behaviors that will make someone successful in the role. Chris Mason, co-founder of Intelligent People, says focusing on iced coffee alone is an overreaction.
He recommends candidates project the right image and attitude, avoid bringing snacks or specialist drinks, and be well-prepared, punctual, and research the role, organization, and interviewer.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
