Whether you hope to work for a major corporation or secure a summer gig at the boutique down the street, interviewing is one of the most important — and stressful — parts of the job search process. From your resume to the clothes you wear, there are so many things you need to prepare in order to nail your interviews. However, in the last few weeks, a new debate has come to light on TikTok that brings up a whole new concern for interviews: whether or not it’s appropriate to bring iced coffee to a job interview.Â
The debate comes from a video posted by @caitlinrecruiter. Referring to her experience as a recruiter for many Fortune 500 corporations, TikToker Caitlin Wehniainen says that bringing iced coffee to an interview is a no-no. “When you show up with an iced coffee or an iced latte, [it looks like] this interview is just a stop on your list of errands for the day,” Wehniainen said in her video. This has recently sparked many other creators to respond with both agreement and opposition, and has even caught the attention of local broadcast networks.
The debate has also sparked conversations around what other job interview behaviors are red flags to hiring managers. To find out more, Her Campus asked career experts across various fields to explain what other sorts of red flags stand out to them during interviews — and how Gen Zers can avoid them.
Being Unprepared
According to career coach Ella Hutching, it’s important for candidates to know exactly what they’re applying for. “For me, an iced coffee wouldn’t even feature on a list of interview red flags, but I would also suggest people don’t take it. Why risk it?” she says. “I’d be much more concerned about a candidate who hadn’t spent any time finding out what the organization does, doesn’t seem to really understand the role they had applied for, or couldn’t give examples to back up what they were telling me.”
Not Standing Out
When it comes to interviewing, you want to give the company something unique that makes you easy to remember. Curtis Serna, founder and managing partner of tech and career services venture Noticeable.co, warns against going in without a strategy. “Bring a detailed strategic plan to the interview. Describe how you would own the role from day one,” he says. “The plan shows the hiring manager you’ve already thought about their business, and it gives them something to remember you by after a long day of interviews. Every resume starts to look alike to a hiring manager. Show initiative and own that role!”
Bad-Mouthing Past Roles
Sam DeMase, Career Expert at ZipRecruiter, sees the way interviewees talk about previous roles as an important tell. “[A big red flag is] speaking negatively about past employers/bosses/colleagues. This comes across as unprofessional and could cost you the job.”
Not Asking Questions
One of the most important parts of interviewing is coming prepared and being genuinely interested in the role. “Some of our biggest red flags that we see is when people don’t ask questions at the end of the interview,” says Oliver Sidwell, co-founder of career and job platform Higherin.com. “It makes it awkward and shows you might not be as passionate about the role or company. Asking questions is also your chance to leave a positive last impression, create a connection with interviewers, and give you a chance to make sure it’s the right fit for you.”
Having Bad Manners
Sidwell also shared that being distracted or speaking too casually could also make a company turn you down. “Looking at your phone during the interview is also a big no-no,” he says. “It can appear disengaged, like you’re not that interested in being there. Similarly, avoid using bad language or too many colloquial terms. We’re all for showing off your personality but it’s important to remain professional and polite.”
Treating Remote Interviews Too Casually
In the wake of COVID-19, many job interviews have shifted from an in-person, face-to-face setup to online meetings. Job search strategist Everlyn Omondi says it’s important to treat remote interviews with the same importance as in-person ones. “Treat [online] interviews like you would the in-person ones,” Omondi says. “Show up in a professional way, ensure you have a good camera and sound, turn on your camera, join on time, ensure good connectivity and that you aren’t in an environment where you are easily distracted.”
Not Following Up
Brian Daniel, founder of staffing agency The Celebrity PA Network, wants to emphasize the impact of following up with the company or interviewer. “Not sending a thank-you email after an interview shows a lack of gratitude. If you want to stand out, it’s best to send an old-fashioned thank-you card from a luxury stationery store. Being remembered is important, and nothing says classy like an amazing card.”
Not Knowing Your Audience
Donald Thompson, Managing Director of the Workplace Options Center for Organizational Effectiveness, says that image and perception during any interview matters. “One of the biggest interview red flags is failing to know your audience,” he says. “It’s your job as the job seeker to understand the culture, the environment and who you’re being interviewed by, so that you can answer questions, dress and present appropriately for that moment … Anything that distracts away from your focus or seriousness, or creates the wrong image, is something you want to be wary of in an interview. It shouldn’t matter, but everything matters.”