Werk Couture | So…We’re Mad About Iced Coffee Now?

My thoughts on the viral debate on bringing iced coffee to a job interview.

Apparently, my workplace tips have been silent far too long and for that-I apologize. It's come to my attention, we have arrived at a moment in workplace history where we need to discuss whether or not you should bring an iced coffee into a job interview.

And listen…

I have thoughts.

First, let me make something perfectly clear: I am not anti-iced coffee.

Please. I am writing The Dainty Brew. Coffee is practically a supporting character and more often than not a plus one around here.

Have your iced coffee. Drink your iced coffee. Enjoy your iced coffee.

Just maybe don't bring it into the interview!!

And here's why.

An interview is already a situation where nerves are naturally going to show up as you go into a room of strangers and have no idea what your getting in to. Your hands may get restless and clammy. You may fidget. You may reach for something without even realizing you're doing it.

Now add a sweaty plastic cup full of ice.

Suddenly, we're swirling the straw.

Taking a sip in between-hoping you don't choke, lol.

Condensation falling all over the table.

And then the ice decides it would also like to participate in the interview as you swirl the cup.

Clink. Clink. Clink. An Ice Cube Remix-Uh Yay-E-Yay-eeee (I'm so corny, lol)

Meanwhile, someone is asking you about your experience while your iced coffee is having its own little meeting.

It's not about being "unprofessional" because you chose iced coffee.

It's about eliminating distractions when you don't need another one.

It's the same reason I wouldn't chew gum while giving a presentation or speaking engagement. Could I technically do it? Sure, I can hide it if I need to but eventually I know me, it'll make its way back to the front for me to blow bubbles, lol.

And here's the thing about interviewing from my perspective, especially having worked in the C-suites where I've reviewed resumes, participated in hiring panels and assisted in the process one way or another to have behind the scenes insight on what they don't tell you out loud (hence why I started my workplace tips):

Professionalism isn't about pretending to be someone you're not. It's about demonstrating that you understand the room you're in.

Everything has been changing, sure. Workplaces are changing. Expectations are changing. The generations entering the workforce today aren't necessarily walking into the same professional environments I entered years-okay decades **eyeroll** ago. And honestly, some of those changes are good.

But I don't think the answer is throwing etiquette out with the coffee cup.

There are still certain professional courtesies that matter and will make a difference in hiring.

My Top 5 Interview Etiquette Reminders

1. Read the room. I know this is becoming a lost art-not just at work, lol. Every workplace has its own culture. An interview at a creative startup may feel very different from one inside a corporate executive suite. Pay attention to your surroundings and adjust accordingly. I currently work in a casual suite where you can wear jeans. My previous position, I couldn't even wear jeans on a Friday.

2. Come prepared. Know the company. Know the position. Bring a few copies of your resume. Have questions. Understand who you're meeting with. Looking the part is a plus, but preparation is what gives the outfit somewhere to go. My default lewk is a black blazer, white blouse and black trousers and black portfolio to carry my notebook because I'm at the point where we are interviewing each other.

3. Respect everyone's time. Arrive early because on time is late. Silence your phone. Don't make the interviewer wonder where you are or whether you've forgotten the appointment and when you KNOW your gonna be even 5 minutes late-alert somebody!! I've been a Receptionist and have ran interference as needed for candidates so they didn't lose cool points. And remember that your interview begins the moment you walk through that door, not when you sit down with the hiring manager.

4. Pay attention to the little things. How you greet the receptionist matters because we are the first line and middle man, plus we are all knowing **cue evil laugh**. How you speak to someone you don't perceive as important matters. Whether you listen without interrupting matters. Whether your phone stays in your bag matters. Little things have a funny way of telling bigger stories. Trust me, they paying attention to EVERYTHING and you gotta get into the competitive mindset.

5. Be yourself, but be situationally aware (remember number 1?) Bring your personality. Bring your style. Bring your confidence. You don't need to become a completely different person to be professional. But authenticity doesn't mean ignoring the environment you're entering. Know the room. Then bring you into it. This is typically where I shine on interviews. I have a balance of professionalism which backs up my technical skills but at the end of the day...you're gonna wanna work with ME.

So, will I judge you because you walked into an interview with an iced coffee? No.

But if you shake my hand after holding a sweating cup, spend half the interview swirling the straw and making music with Ice Cube, and keep reaching for it every time you get nervous…

You're probably going to wish you'd left the coffee in the car. Stick to the water!!

The coffee isn't the problem.

The question is whether you're aware of what you're bringing into the room with you. And that, my darlings, is the part of professional etiquette worth talking about.

Consider this your reminder: you don't have to be old-school to have good manners and at the end of the day...you need to play the game and get to the bag!

Now go werk ☕