A discussion has arisen regarding the appropriateness of bringing iced coffee to job interviews, sparked by a TikTok video featuring US recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen. In the video, Wehniainen advises against bringing iced coffee to interviews, suggesting it may convey a lack of seriousness. She stated, 'Don't waltz into your interview all casual with an iced coffee; it just looks like you didn't have time to finish your coffee beforehand.' This comment has led to what she describes as the Great Iced Coffee Debate of 2026.
Opinions vary on the matter. Some individuals argue that arriving with iced coffee is unprofessional and too informal, while others believe this concern distracts from the more significant challenges of securing employment. Wehniainen later clarified in a LinkedIn post that she did not intend to imply that bringing coffee makes someone a bad candidate, but rather to avoid potential distractions.
Hanad, a 28-year-old employee at an energy supplier in London, expressed that he would not bring iced coffee to an interview, stating, 'A job interview is all about first impressions. Anything can deter the employer from employing you.' He believes iced coffee may appear immature.
Conversely, Aisha, 28, feels that bringing an iced coffee demonstrates preparedness, stating, 'I think it shows that I have come early enough to get iced coffee.' Katy, 25, a personal assistant, noted a possible sexist undertone to the debate, suggesting that if men predominantly drank hot coffee, the discussion would differ.
The job market for young people is challenging, with graduate vacancies in the UK nearly halving in the past year due to employers favoring AI and rising costs. Approximately one in eight individuals aged 16-24 are not engaged in education, employment, or training.
Lucy Cooper, founder of a design and branding recruitment company, remarked that the marketing industry is particularly tough, and she has not encountered Gen Z candidates willing to risk bringing iced coffee to interviews. Dan Craddock, director at Hays, emphasized that employers should avoid making snap judgments based on a candidate's beverage choice, focusing instead on their skills and experience. Chris Mason, co-founder of a tech recruitment agency, advised candidates to project a serious image and warned that snacks or specialty drinks might undermine that impression. He noted that the main issues observed with younger candidates include a lack of preparation and punctuality.