The question of how Generation Z is transforming workplace culture has become a subject of widespread discussion, starting from a rather simple moment—the consumption of iced coffee during an interview.
Imagine this scenario: a candidate arrives for an interview at a favorite coffee shop, orders a large iced latte, and enters the meeting room, continuing to drink coffee during the conversation. For some representatives of older generations, such as Millennials or Generation X, this may cause confusion and lead to questions about the appropriateness of such behavior in an interview.
This incident added a new element to the list of cultural clashes between generations. Millennials are traditionally associated with the concept of 'hustle' and a constant drive for progress, whereas Gen Z members value inner peace more.
The topic gained wide attention after Caitlin Viennenen, president of a recruitment agency from Florida, published a video on TikTok. In it, she discussed instances where Gen Z candidates arrived at interviews with iced coffee in hand. According to Viennenen, although it might seem trivial, such behavior can create an impression of excessive informality. It can also signal that for the candidate, the interview is just another task in the day, not an important opportunity.
The video quickly went viral, as the discussion around it escalated into a generational debate. Some insisted on the necessity of maintaining a certain level of formality during an interview, while others questioned why having a drink in hand should matter so much.
However, the article's author emphasizes that the changes being discussed go far beyond a single cup of coffee. He focuses on the various ways Gen Z can unintentionally surprise employers.
Generation Z brings a number of practices into the work environment that can elicit reactions ranging from approval to bewilderment from previous generations. It is important to understand that this is not about Gen Z making mistakes, but rather that they often do not adhere to the rules that were part of the working experience of past generations.
One example is sending a message like, 'Can we reschedule or reconsider the interview?' just five minutes before the scheduled time. A 36-year-old HR specialist working for an airline told India Today that initially, such messages seemed too blunt. However, over time, he realized that openly expressing expectations in the workplace is becoming the norm.
He also noted that young candidates have become more open in discussing their limitations and circumstances. They prefer to state the issues that hinder their work rather than trying to fit into a process that does not suit them.
Suvarna Mishra, HR Director at Plaxy India, shared a similar experience. She observed that candidates often send messages with a brief explanation for rescheduling or canceling an interview without going into detail. Although it seemed informal to her at first, she later understood that it reflects a healthier approach to setting personal boundaries, which was absent in previous generations.
The traditional image of a suit and tie is fading away. Today, interviews feature sneakers, oversized t-shirts, brightly colored hair and piercings, and, of course, iced coffee.
Vineet Chaturvedi, CEO of International Shared Support Center Private Limited, noted that a tie is not a measure of an employee's qualification. Nevertheless, he stressed that a neat appearance and appropriate attire still demonstrate effort. At the same time, he distinguished between concepts: abandoning old dress codes and perceiving an interview as a completely informal conversation are two different things.