‘Coffee Cup Test’ Bosses Use to Judge Candidates During Interviews Revealed

New York Post ^ | August 5, 2023 | Belinda Palmada

[nickcarraway]

Job interviews can be nerve-racking as many interviewees stress over how to best answer questions the employer throws at you.

But, not every company asks tough questions. One boss revealed the “coffee cup” test he uses in job interviews to determine whether an applicant is right for the role.

Former managing director for Xero Australia Trent Innes explained how he refuses to hire anyone if they fail to return an empty cup to the kitchen at the end of an interview.

“I will always take you for a walk down to one of our kitchens and somehow you always end up walking away with a drink,” Innes said in a resurfaced 2019 interview with the podcast “The Ventures”.

“Then we take the drink back, have our interview, and one of the things I’m always looking for at the end of the interview is, does the person doing the interview want to take that empty cup back to the kitchen?

[Jonty30]

Also, consideration for your fellow employees. You aren’t leaving a mess for others to clean up after.

[Jonty30]

Any standard can be dispensed with, if you need the employee more than he needs you. But small psychological tests can be helpful.

[T.B. Yoits]

The candidate is supposed to offer to return the cup and then steal it.

It's a souvenir. If anyone calls them on it, the proper response is, "I thought you wanted me to bring it with me when I started."

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

He was dismissive to the receptionist. She greeted him and he barely made eye contact. She tried to engage him in conversation. Again, no eye contact, no interest in speaking with her.

Rude is one thing. This is quite another.

Would she have preferred that he spend his time chatting up the receptionist or thinking about his job? Not talking to people is not being dismissive. You may have something on your mind, (like a job interview) and be nervous which leads you to being taciturn.

That is ok. He would not have enjoyed working for her in any case. She wanted a chatty cathy.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I might fail for the same reason. I have been offered drinks or donuts or other things to eat in an interview. I have always just said no thanks, as I find that distracting, and just want to stay focused in the interview.

So would I be rejected for rejecting the drink offer in the first place, so that I wasn’t in position for them to see if I would return the empty cup to the kitchen???

[HIDEK6]

Don’t they have girls to do this?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Back in the 80’s, interviewing kids to work at my bike shop I’d ask “how many counties in Nebraska?” I gave them a day (the local library was next door) Some didn’t answer. Others would give the right answer. It was the one’s who gave the right answer and said “why did you want to know that?” that I hired.

[rlmorel]

I agree. People do get nervous.

I just take things into account, and it ranges from appearance of clothing, to knowledge of a subject to personal appearance or behavior. I factor in clothing, grooming, etc.

I don’t see a problem doing that.

[gitmo]

I was being interviewed by several people at once for a position. One of them asked what my strongest trait was.

I said, “My humility. Let me tell you just how strong my humility is. I’m so humble that …”

One of the interviewers sprayed his Coke across the table.

I got the job.

[MayflowerMadam]

Boss sounds like a sadist.

[gitmo]

Would she have preferred that he spend his time chatting up the receptionist or thinking about his job?

That might depend on what the position is for. If it involves interacting with the public, it would be an important factor.

[Larry Lucido]

I thank the interviewer for the cup and then go out to my car which is parked in the Employee of the Month spot.

[Larry Lucido]

[peggybac]

First appearance is important to me. If someone comes in with jeans on in an interview, piercings on their face, obvious tats, long fingernails, I would immediately reject them.

[goodnesswins]

The interviewer OFFERED the coffee..candidate did not ask for it...interviewer can deal with the cup...sheesh...and I interviewed hundreds in my career.

[smokingfrog]

what do Freepers think of this?

I wouldn’t work for that guy if you paid me.

[Larry Lucido]

Just do the opposite of what your instincts tell you!

[HonkyTonkMan]

Xero Australia Trent Innes explained how he refuses to hire anyone if they fail to return an empty cup to the kitchen at the end of an interview.

'Ol Trent must interview a lot of busboys and kitchen help down there at Xero Australia.

[nickcarraway]

Does Xero make copiers, but they leave off the last X for xavings?

[lefty-lie-spy]

This may be one way to determine personality and fit for a company, but there are some many variables when it comes to interviewing candidates, that this alone is terrible as a “test”. One reason is that some shyer candidates don’t want to upset things or go off track in the interview, or just might feel nervous like they are intruding, may think its not their time and place to intrude in the companies operations by welcoming themselves to the kitchen area, etc. I understand the motivation for this test, but it is not a huge marker for a successful interview.

I conduct dozens of interviews a year and I have my own subtle tests, but nothing to abstract or any one that I call a deal killer. There are many things to consider about personality outside of the technical fit for the job.