Watching closely... "You'll regret leaving the empty coffee cup as it is"

"Observing Whether Applicants Leave Used Cups After the Interview"
"Attitude Matters More Than Skills or Knowledge"

Some companies' hiring managers are reportedly evaluating job applicants' attitudes through the so-called 'coffee cup test' during interviews.

On the 6th (local time), the American business magazine Fortune reported that some hiring managers use the 'coffee cup test' during interviews to check applicants' attitudes. Trent Innes, former executive director of the accounting platform Xeno and currently CEO of the hotel commerce platform Siteminder, recently introduced this test on the podcast 'The Ventures.'

Coffee cup image. Pixabay

He explained, "The interviewee is taken to the break room to have coffee and then asked to bring the cup back to the interview room. After the interview, we observe how they handle the cup." He added, "Whether they drink their coffee black or with sugar does not affect the hiring decision," and said, "We check if they try to bring the empty cup back to the break room." According to him, people who leave the used cup in the interview room are unlikely to be hired, even if they are suitable for the job.

Innes emphasized, "Not cleaning up the cup is a warning sign that the person may not fit the company culture," adding, "Skills can be developed, and knowledge and experience can be accumulated, but attitude is even more important." He continued, "Bringing used cups, mugs, or glasses back to the break room shows thoughtfulness as a team member and attention to small matters."

Global companies such as Amazon and Cisco also emphasize the importance of attitude. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said, "You would be surprised how rare it is to find someone with a great attitude," adding, "Attitude makes a big difference."

Sarah Walker, CEO of Cisco UK, also said, "Positive attitude, engagement, and energy cannot be taught," and "We carefully look for these traits when hiring or promoting employees internally." She especially emphasized, "The shorter the career, the more important these traits are compared to what is on the resume," and stated, "People are more important than skills or experience."

Hiring managers claim that the coffee cup test has practical effects in the hiring process. Louis Mallet, CEO of the global executive recruitment firm Bentley Lewis, said, "I consider the (coffee cup) test really valuable," adding, "Observing such small behaviors reveals a lot about a person's characteristics that formal Q&A during interviews can never uncover." He also mentioned that observing how interviewees treat company guides is another way to obtain similar information.

However, he advised, "This test is only a part of the hiring process," and cautioned, "Even excellent candidates can be nervous and make mistakes in unfamiliar environments. Pursue this, but maintain a balanced perspective."