There has been a surprising amount of debate recently about whether it is acceptable to bring an iced coffee to an interview.
As someone who loves an iced coffee, specifically an iced oat caramel latte, I would like the answer to be a resounding yes. I feel it is important to put that on the record from the outset.
But as a family lawyer, another word immediately comes to mind: optics.
And in family law, optics matter.
To be clear, there is nothing inherently unprofessional about an iced coffee. The coffee itself says nothing about your ability, experience or suitability for a role. The question is what it might communicate in that particular setting.
An interviewer may not give it a second thought. Equally, they may wonder whether you had time to finish it before arriving or whether you have quite appreciated the formality of the occasion. Fair or not, small details can contribute to the overall impression someone forms of you.
That is where the comparison with family law becomes interesting.
Family proceedings are not decided on whether someone is wearing the right shoes or has an untucked shirt. The evidence, the law and, where relevant, the welfare of the child is what matters. However, presentation, behaviour and the way in which somebody conducts themselves can still form part of the wider picture.
When emotions are running high, as they often are in family proceedings, the ability to remain calm, listen carefully, respond appropriately and show respect to the Court and the other parties matters. So does arriving prepared, being appropriately dressed and demonstrating that you understand the seriousness of the situation you are in.
It is not about pretending to be someone you are not. It is about understanding your audience and your environment.
We all do this, whether we realise it or not. You might happily sit in a coffee shop in trainers and an oversized jumper with your iced latte in hand (which I often do on the weekend before a trip to the gym), but you would probably approach a Court hearing rather differently. That is not being inauthentic. It is simply recognising that different situations and environments call for different things.
The same applies to an interview. You have a relatively short period of time to demonstrate who you are, what you can offer and how you conduct yourself professionally. Being on time, prepared, engaged and respectful will never replace experience or qualifications, but they certainly help set the tone.
So, would I take my iced coffee into an interview?
Reluctantly, no.
Not because I think an iced latte makes you unprofessional. It clearly does not, otherwise I myself would have a problem.
Simply because, when you have one opportunity to make a first impression, there is little benefit in introducing something that could create an unnecessary distraction.
Ultimately, this is not really about iced coffee. It is about recognising that presentation matters and optics in law are everything. You cannot control every impression someone forms of you, but you can control how you present yourself.
And sometimes, in both an interview and a courtroom, knowing when to put the iced coffee down is probably a sensible place to start.
