'Unprofessional' job interview habit fuels debate among Millennials and Gen Z

There are a whole lot of things that separate the likes of Gen Z and their older Millennial predecessors.

Gen Z can spot a Millennial, generally born between 1981 and 1996 and now aged around 30 to 45, a mile away, apparently due to their skinny jeans, penchant for a side part, and everyday winged eyeliner.

Millennials, meanwhile, seem to be utterly perplexed by Gen Z, born roughly between 1997 and 2012 and aged around 14 to 29, and their obsession with slicked-back buns, 'maxxing' culture and, of course, the dreaded 'Gen Z stare'.

And now, apparently, we have another generational dividing line: whether you’re allowed to bring a coffee into a job interview.

The iced coffee job interview debate is going viral on social media right now (Getty Stock Images)

A growing debate online has seen Gen Z jobseekers argue that turning up with an iced latte is perfectly normal, while some Millennials, recruiters and hiring managers reckon it makes you look way too casual.

One TikTok user penned: "I feel like drinking or eating anything during an interview is unprofessional."

A second disagreed: "This is a preposterous conversation we’re having."

And a third joked: "I feel like drinking or eating anything during an interview is unprofessional."

Weighing in on the debate, recruiter Ashlea Fisher, who has more than 20 years’ experience, told Metro: "I actually don’t agree with taking a coffee into an interview."

She stressed that it does not automatically make someone unprofessional, but said an interview should be about spending quality time with the hiring manager.

"It sounds like a small thing, but those first moments of an interview can set the tone," she warned.

Two experts outlined how the whole iced coffee thing can impact professional etiquette (Getty Stock Images)

Accepting a drink offered by the interviewer, though, is apparently a completely different story.

"I actually think accepting that offer can be a really positive part of the interview process," Fisher said.

"You’re then sitting down together with a hot drink, having a conversation and potentially making the interview feel less like a formal interrogation and more like a genuine discussion."

Recruitment facilitator and author Katrina Collier is also on the anti-iced coffee side of the debate.

"It can be distracting and messy holding an iced coffee," she said. "A regular coffee will not create noise that amplifies the interviewees' nerves or a wet patch on the desk… unless spilt."

Fisher continued, outlining how the whole iced coffee thing impacts professional etiquette.

Which side of the debate do you stand on? (Getty Stock Images)

"Gen Z has grown up with a much more informal approach to communication and the workplace," Fisher said.

"But equally, I think Gen Z candidates need to understand that you can be relaxed and authentic while still recognising that an interview is a professional opportunity."

She did, however, note that candidates should be judged on their skills, experience and potential, rather than what happens to be in their hands.

"Interviewees should be judged for their skills, experience and potential to do the role, but humans are biased," she said.

Collier added: "If they’re really going to knock back someone over an iced coffee, I also hope there is a strong recruiter to call them out on their bias."

Still, with the job market proving particularly tough, Collier has one final piece of advice.

"It is the toughest job market I have seen in over 23 years, including several recessions, so I recommend people try to avoid evoking negative responses," she said.

"Is it fair? Probably not."