Should You Take That Cup of Coffee the Interviewer Offers?

During a job interview, it is common practice for the interviewer to offer the interviewee a cup of coffee or another beverage. When you are the one in the hot seat, it can be difficult to decide whether or not to accept the offer. Tread carefully, as the simple cup of coffee can be more complicated than at first it seems.

The offer of coffee is surprisingly complex. For some job seekers, it can feel like a trick. Is the interviewer testing to see whether you can manage a hot beverage under stress? Will he be watching to see if you drop the coffee cup or spill liquid all over the table? Is he asking out of habit?

Chances are, your potential employer is not offering coffee as a way to test you. In most cases, it is simply a polite offer, particularly during a morning interview. The way you respond should depend on the unique circumstances of the job interview.

Before you accept a cup of coffee, consider your personal reactions to stress. Do your hands shake when you're nervous? Are you less aware of your movements and gestures? Are you clumsy by nature? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the best option is to politely decline the coffee. A job interview is stressful enough on its own without having to deal with a spilled coffee cup or caffeine jitters.

Even if you are confident in your ability to manage a hot beverage under stress, think twice before accepting coffee. Measure the mood of the room. If you get the sense that interviewers are operating under a tight schedule or if there were other candidates in the waiting room, decline the drink. According to Business Insider, the interviewer may be annoyed at the time he or she will waste preparing the coffee.

Like any other situation, there is a flip side to the question of coffee. If you are at an early morning job interview and other people in the room are drinking coffee, feel free to accept. If you are interviewing at a company with a casual, relaxed atmosphere or if the mood feels more leisurely, accepting the coffee can also be a safe option.

When you do accept coffee in a job interview, proceed carefully. Remember your manners: say thank you, and be considerate and gracious. Stay away from complicated preparation requests. Sip cautiously and infrequently, and take care not to slurp or spill. Don't let the coffee become a distraction or lull you into a sense of informality. Avoid the temptation to hold the cup with both hands and slouch back in your chair. Instead, place the cup on the table next to you out of potential spillage range, and sit up straight.

When in doubt, the safest answer to an offer of coffee is, "No, thank you." By declining the coffee, you will be free to focus on the job interview rather than potential spills or mishaps.

(Photo courtesy of bplanet at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)