Would You Bring an Iced Coffee to a Job Interview?

In a viral TikTok video, recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen shared her view that when Gen Z candidates arrive at an interview with an iced coffee or latte in hand, it can give the impression that the interview is simply another stop in their day rather than a priority.

The video sparked widespread debate about social norms, interview formality, ritual compliance, and professionalism in general. Some argued that arriving at an interview with a plastic cup covered in condensation and melting ice is insane, or even diabolical, while others offered advice on how to bring an iced coffee “the right way” without letting the beverage become a distraction.

The debate continued as I asked a few of my colleagues and students to weigh in. Some said, “No, never.” Others wondered whether it would be more acceptable if it were a hot coffee or a bottle of water, while a few didn’t see a problem with it at all, as long as it didn’t become a distraction.

Personally, I would never bring an iced coffee to an interview. I agree with the TikTok creator who called the idea diabolical. But for me, it’s less about viewing the drink itself as disrespectful to the employer and more about the logistics. I’d be far too distracted by the condensation on the cup, my wet hand, and where I was supposed to put the thing once I sat down.

But my hot take is that there might be something we can learn from Gen Z here, not necessarily about interview etiquette, but about investing in the activities and experiences that make an ordinary day more enjoyable.

A 2024 Gallup report suggests that having daily activities that Gen Z finds interesting, motivating, or important could be significant contributors to their happiness. That made me think differently about the whole “bringing an iced coffee to an interview” debate. I don’t think that the coffee is a statement about professionalism, or the lack of it, at all. Instead, for some people, stopping for a favorite drink is a small ritual that makes the day a little better. I think the interview matters to them, but so does enjoying the morning on the way there.

I like to call this joy-stacking a play on James Clear’s habit-stacking model from his bestselling book, Atomic Habits.

I notice my Gen Z students doing this all the time. They’ll make a coffee run for the seasonal drink they’ve been wanting to try before their 8 a.m. class, take the long way back to their dorm so they can walk outside with a friend, or turn a Target run for something they need into an excuse to grab a fun snack or stop somewhere new along the way.

None of these experiences are particularly significant on their own, which is kind of the point. They’re taking the things they already have to do and layering small moments of enjoyment onto them.

You could dismiss these moments as another form of dopamine-seeking, and maybe sometimes they are, but I think there’s another way to look at them: Gen Z may be onto something when it comes to intentionally adding little moments of enjoyment to otherwise ordinary days.

You have to go to the interview, so you might as well enjoy the trip there.

Although personally, I’d finish the iced coffee before walking through the door. And if any of my students are reading this, I recommend you do the same. 😊

What can you add to an ordinary day to make it more enjoyable?

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Find one thing that brings you joy today.