In today’s brutal job market, Generation Z is bringing their best to interviews. And they’ll also bring their emotional support with iced lattes. A generational debate has broken out online over an absolutely simple question: Is it completely unprofessional or is it totally okay to go to a job interview with an iced coffee in your hands? The clash began when TikTok corporate recruiter @caitlinrecruiter criticized Gen Z candidates for showing up to interviews with iced lattes in hand. Drawing on his 16 years of experience placing candidates at Fortune 500 companies, he cautioned job seekers against the informal habit. “When you show up with an iced coffee or an iced latte, it comes across, in my opinion and from a hiring standpoint, that this interview is just a stop on your list of errands for the day,” he alleged in the viral clip. “It sounds like you went to Target, you went to Starbucks, and now you go through your interview before moving on to the next thing.” She stood her ground, arguing that the drink projects a casual and unserious attitude. Naturally, the Internet took sides, and videos, posts, and comments flooded in as hiring managers and job seekers debated the iced coffee conundrum. Another creator chimed in and called it “diabolical” to bring a “wet plastic condensation glass” into an interview room. Placing it on a table leaves a messy ring of water, they noted, pointing out the bad look of taking strong sips while trying to make a good first impression. Generation Z job seekers and their supporters defend their right to consume caffeine and argue that they would not want to work anywhere where their decisions are judged. “I don’t want to work for you if you don’t want to hire me because I bring iced coffee,” ranted one Gen Z TikToker, dismissing “traditional etiquette” as corporate brainwashing. Intervening in the debate, LinkedIn News highlighted advice from professionals. Benjamin Chipman, a member of Generation Z who works in marketing, advised interviewees who want to bring a drink to hold it in their left hand so that their right hand remains dry for a handshake. He also said to avoid shaking the ice and refrain from sipping the last few drops. “Is this a generational thing?” asked communications director Adam Raider. “I would NEVER bring an iced coffee… or a hot coffee… or tea, soda, juice, sangria… or any other beverage to a job interview. I would accept water if it was offered to me.” Only 43% of Generation Z prefer hot coffee, compared to 89% of adults over 60. matinee – stock.adobe.com A Gen Z TikTokker explained that the fight is not about lattes, but about rejecting “arbitrary standards of professionalism” that have nothing to do with whether someone can actually do the job. Critics respond that holding on to a cold, freshly brewed beverage indicates poor time management, proof that you couldn’t even finish your morning coffee before arriving at the office. With US job openings for young adults ages 22 to 25 falling 13% from 2022 across all AI-exposed industries, Generation Z is already fighting an uphill battle. According to resumetemplates.com, about 4 in 10 hiring managers (41%) say Gen Z candidates display a general lack of professionalism, while 30% report distraction. In an increasingly competitive market that doesn’t favor Gen Z’s work habits, that iced coffee could cost them more than the five dollars it cost them to buy it.
