A TikTok video, viewed millions of times in mid-9, ignited a debate when Caitlin Wehniainen, president of a Florida HR company, advised Gen Z candidates against bringing coffee to interviews. Wehniainen argued this practice demonstrates a lack of seriousness, implying an interview is merely a stop on a daily errand run. She emphasized that the corporate environment of Fortune 500 companies requires professional conduct, making a casual beverage in a meeting room inappropriate.
Wehniainen's comments quickly polarized opinions. Older workers generally agreed, asserting that younger generations are becoming too casual in professional settings. Conversely, many young applicants criticized the older generation for being overly rigid and imposing unnecessary strict rules during a period of job scarcity.
Rebekah Garcia, 26, from Los Angeles, felt the issue was exaggerated, though she personally avoids bringing drinks to interviews. Other TikTok users, however, stressed the importance of adhering to the corporate world's "unspoken rules" for successful hiring. Amid fierce competition, some millennial workers (born 1981-1996) even humorously encouraged Gen Z to "keep bringing iced coffee to interviews" to inadvertently open up opportunities for them.
 |
Illustration: AI |
In response to the backlash, Wehniainen later clarified on LinkedIn that she does not equate holding a coffee cup with a lack of competence. She stated her intention was to remind job seekers how traditional recruiters perceive a candidate's initial demeanor. Other HR experts offered varied perspectives. Bonnie Dilber, a recruiting manager at Zapier, affirmed she would not disqualify a qualified candidate for bringing a drink. However, career coach Courtney Hartman still advised job seekers to avoid the habit, noting that fumbling with a sweating iced drink or accidentally spilling it could create an awkward start to an interview.
A cooling job market
The coffee cup debate emerged amidst a subdued US labor market, a situation that has significantly shifted the balance of power towards employers.
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates persistently low hiring and layoff rates. On average, there are currently only 1,1 job openings for each unemployed person, a sharp decline from the peak of 2 positions in 2022. The labor force participation rate has also decreased from 62,5% in 11/2025, attributed partly to an aging population and discouraged individuals who have ceased their job search.
This contrasts with the "Great Resignation" period a few years ago, when workers easily moved between jobs for better compensation and benefits. Now, the voluntary quit rate has reached a very low point. With businesses facing numerous applicants – often receiving hundreds of similarly qualified resumes, partly due to AI-assisted CV writing – recruiters increasingly use minor details like a coffee cup, being 2 minutes late, or a handshake as "quick filters" to narrow down the candidate pool.
Many job seekers shared with Business Insider that the current application process is as demanding as a full-time job. Consequently, some are transitioning to freelance work, while others are acquiring new skills to enhance their competitiveness.
Thomas Heep, 60, from Denver, has been diligently searching for full-time employment since losing his operations director position last year. To cover living expenses, he works part-time delivering medication and applied for early social security benefits. Heep noted that businesses now expect candidates to possess 100% of the required skills immediately, rather than offering additional training.
Similarly, Kymberly McClain, in her 40s, from Las Vegas, has struggled to find work for nearly two years after departing a non-profit organization in 2024. Repeated rejections after interview rounds have led her to question various personal factors, including her age, ethnicity, and the absence of a university degree.
Analysts suggest that despite stable US economic growth and no signs of recession, the combination of "low hiring, low layoff" conditions and workforce reductions in some office sectors is creating significant psychological pressure for job seekers.
Minh Phuong (Source: Insider, New York Times, People)
