12/10/2026
☕ Would you bring a takeaway coffee to a job interview? Well, this has certainly stirred up a debate! ☕😅
In a recent Stuff opinion piece titled “I thought bringing coffee to a job interview was normal. Apparently I was wrong”, journalist Verity Johnson explores whether turning up to a job interview with a takeaway coffee is perfectly acceptable or a professional faux pas.
And the reactions are surprisingly divided!
Some people see it as harmless. After all, having a coffee might help settle those pre-interview nerves!
Others believe it looks too casual, suggests poor time management or creates the wrong first impression.
💡 So, what's my advice as a professional CV writer?
Personally, I wouldn't recommend bringing a takeaway coffee into a formal job interview.
Not because I think it's necessarily rude, but because first impressions matter, and different interviewers have different expectations.
You might encounter an interviewer who couldn't care less about your coffee, or someone who quietly questions your professionalism.
Why introduce an unnecessary distraction when you want the focus to be on your skills, experience and what you can bring to the organisation?
✅ Enjoy your coffee beforehand.
✅ Arrive a little early so you're not feeling rushed.
✅ Be prepared, confident and ready to engage with your interviewers.
✅ If you're offered a tea, coffee or water during the interview, that's absolutely fine!
Ultimately, your suitability for a role should be judged on your capabilities, experience, and potential, not whether you're holding a flat white!
But interviews are also about understanding expectations, reading the room and making a positive impression.
🗣️ I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Would you take a takeaway coffee into a job interview? And if you were the interviewer, would it influence your opinion of a candidate?
👇 Team Coffee ☕ or Team No Coffee 🚫☕?
