To-Go with Coffee, or Coffee's Got To-Go?

The fall equinox has America enrolled in a controversial drink debate. We've officially entered autumn, leaf peeping season, football fever and the spicy pumpkin latte frenzy. TikTok's latest viral debate is raising the voices of news outlets such as NBC News, Business Insider and even CNN's latest chime in.

The debate: Is it appropriate for a candidate to bring a coffee to your interview?

Whose side do you really "fall" on? It's time for the recruiters to enter the chat.

The discussion at hand: As Gen Z has entered the workforce - there is a viral discussion happening on whether it is appropriate to bring an iced coffee (or any coffee) into an in office, in person job interview. One side is debating that this is too casual of a move, the other stating it's literally just coffee, and to not over think it.

Let's circle back on that.

Since the dawn of time (almost), coffee and "interviews" have historically had their own collab. Not to re-hash the age old "who really invented coffee?" debate, but rather to provide some historical data. Coffee houses and gatherings have dated back to the 15th and 16th century widely across Asia and Europe. In the late 17th century, a popular etiquette publication 'The Rules and Orders of the Coffee House' was written as a set of behavioral codes and guidelines for those attending English coffee houses. Rules ranged from social inclusion welcoming all statuses into the coffee houses, to no fighting or cursing - and everything in between.

So although not the same as our in office "formal interviews" conducted today - coffee houses were a home for gathering information for journalists, a discussion platform for politicians, and of course a watering hole for the latest town gossip, which often did include who was hiring. So for centuries drinking coffee and learning information have gone hand-in-hand. And isn't that essentially what an interview is?

However, before we settle on coffee as an essential line item for an interview, we should mention the parameters around current interview etiquette today. Also, not to mention these historical coffee house discussions were at a mutual ground - and both parties ordered coffee and enjoyed them together.

Let's also bring up basic interview etiquette while we are at it - regardless of whether it involves a coffee or not. Being on time is the first and foremost important piece of the first impression. If you are late, there may not be a point at showing up - unless you have a really, really good excuse. And the "line was long at Dunkin's" can not be one of them - not even in Boston. But what's worse than showing up late? Showing up late with a latte in hand. So definitely don't do that.

Another question is - why is this just targeted at Gen Z? If my fellow elder millennial, or even if a Gen X'r, candidate were to walk into an interview with an espresso at hand - is the same "casualness" assumed? Is this just a Gen Z thing? Would we let it slide if a millennial were to go to the gym, tan, laundry routine, then coffee shop followed by an in-office interview? (Just kidding we don't tan anymore, unfortunately. Millennials lost that debate decades ago.)

After much internal debate, West End Workforce team has decided to spill the "coffee" on this one as well.

How W|E bring our coffee To-Go.

As a seasoned recruiter with 15 plus years of interviewing, recruiting, hiring, and managing hundreds of candidates Kristin Mitchell Schaer, VP of Recruitment at West End, chimes in.

“I'm totally fine with you bringing the coffee... but my first thought might be, 'Wait, where's mine?'

Honestly, I don't think carrying an iced coffee tells me anything about how seriously someone is taking an interview. But showing up with one for the recruiter too, or even the hiring managers? Now I'm thinking, this person is thoughtful, prepared AND knows how to build relationships.”

Kristin Mitchell Schaer, VP of Recruitment, West End

Although some aspects of coffee etiquette from the 17th century may have changed - there is still an unwritten rule of drink etiquette when it comes to interviewing, and for overall business outing etiquette as well. As I personally ventured into the business development world over a decade ago, my father encouraged me even before college graduation to schedule coffee meetings with people in the industries I was interested in. NGL, some of those did turn from coffee meet ups to happy hours - but the concept was the same.

Reach out. Request to meet. Show up. Ask questions. Pay attention, and for the drink. Coffee or cocktail - it shows you value their time.

I landed nearly a half a dozen interviews just based off of these coffee conversations. It really separated me from just throwing my resume towards someone I knew. I got to know more about the company, the interview process and of course more about the person I was meeting with. Before I even stepped foot into the prospective company's door.

Once the interviews did begin, my dad would remind me that part of the interview process is figuring out how "comfortable" this candidate would be in their environment. And how culturally fit they are. For decades the host of the interviews have asked the incoming candidates if they'd like a coffee, a tea or a water. Another tip my dad said was to always say 'yes' when offered a beverage - speak clearly about what you would like, and of course thank them for the offer, and to the person delivering it.

Often the candidate is actually being evaluated on how they treat the employee who is handing them the beverage - whether it's administrative support in the office, or the server at a lunch interview. So perhaps BYOC (coffee) could have the adverse effect of disallowing the opportunity to pass this pulse test. Since you already have a drink in hand - no one may even offer you one.

Regardless of which side of the barista bench you sip on, whether it's Coffee To-Go, or Coffee has Got To-Go - there is clearly one common theme: Coffee has been part of career conversations for centuries. As a candidate the choice is really up to you whether to BYOC, hope they offer coffee, or to have one prior.

And honestly what do I know? I'm just a green tea drinker. And it's not like the candidate brought their own wine to the interview.

Just saying.

What are your thoughts on this debate? And yes, you can sip on your coffee this afternoon before your answer.

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