Could an iced coffee freeze you out of the job market?
A viral TikTok video has sparked a debate over whether bringing an iced coffee to a job interview is unprofessional. While some recruiters view it as a sign of poor preparation or immaturity, others argue that such traditional corporate stigmas are outdated.
Why it matters
This highlights the evolving nature of workplace etiquette and the generational divide in professional expectations between Gen Z and older recruiters.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Jemma Crew and Daniel Thomas , Business reporters Watch: Is it OK to take an iced coffee to a job interview? Would you bring an iced coffee to a job interview?
The question on the internet's lips this week started life, as many do, in a TikTok video.
"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," said US recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen.
It's what her Gen Z job candidates are doing, she said, warning it makes it look like the interview is "just a stop on your list of errands for the day".
The post has started what Wehniainen calls the Great Iced Coffee Debate of 2026.
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