When you sit down for a job interview, you probably focus on your qualifications, experience, and how to answer tough questions. But for some hiring managers, what you do with your coffee cup could say more about you than your résumé. If you ever sit across from businessman Trent Innes, your behavior with a simple drink might make or break your chances of getting hired.
A Subtle Yet Powerful Interview Strategy
During interviews at his company, Innes doesn’t rely solely on your words. Instead, he uses a method that feels deceptively casual. At some point during the interview, he leads candidates to the office kitchen. He ensures that each person walks away with a beverage, whether it’s coffee, water, or tea. This moment isn’t just about offering hospitality — it’s a carefully designed part of his hiring process.
Once the interview wraps up, Innes watches to see if you bring your cup back to the kitchen. It’s not a formal requirement or something he asks aloud. But for him, your willingness to return that cup says a lot about your character. If you quietly carry your empty mug back without prompting, you’re showing initiative and humility. If you leave it behind, that could signal a lack of responsibility or team spirit.
Why A Coffee Cup Matters To Workplace Culture
You may wonder why something so small matters in a professional environment. Innes believes your attitude outweighs your skills. “You can develop skills, you can gain knowledge and experience, but it really does come down to attitude,” he explained during a podcast interview. For him, attitude is about pitching in — even when no one’s watching — and showing respect for the shared space around you.
Inside his company, the culture revolves around the simple phrase “wash your coffee cup.” This isn’t just about cleaning up after yourself. It reflects a mindset of ownership, consideration, and contributing to a clean, respectful workplace. According to Innes, the office kitchens at Xero, where he previously worked, remained spotless because everyone followed this unwritten rule. No reminders were needed. Everyone just did their part.
The Test That Divides Opinions Online
When people heard about Innes’ method, the reaction was swift and passionate. A viral TikTok describing the coffee cup test sparked a debate across social media. Some praised the simplicity of the concept, calling it an effective way to measure real-world behavior. Others weren’t so impressed. Critics accused Innes of playing unnecessary mind games with people who are already stressed and vulnerable.
One commenter wrote, “So he uses his power and privilege to do small tests on vulnerable people searching for employment?” Another added sarcastically, “After the interview, I surveil them until they go to the grocery store. I then observe if they return their buggy.” A third person joked, “Joke’s on him, I’m not drinking out of a communal coffee cup.”
Interview Pressure Reaches A New Level
You’ve probably spent hours preparing for interviews, worrying about what questions will be asked or how to dress. Now, thanks to Innes, many job seekers are adding a new concern to their list: what to do with their drink. His coffee cup test may seem harmless at first, but for many, it adds a layer of pressure they weren’t expecting.
Even if you do everything right — arrive on time, dress appropriately, and speak with confidence — leaving a cup behind could quietly ruin your chances. That’s the part that rubs people the wrong way. The test isn’t announced. It’s silent, subtle, and completely up to the interpretation of one person watching from across the room.
A Culture Built On Courtesy Or Control?
Innes sees this method as a reflection of a company’s values. He believes every workplace should be filled with people who don’t think twice about pitching in, whether it’s cleaning the kitchen or helping a coworker. But critics argue that these “secret tests” come off as manipulative. They believe hiring decisions should be based on transparent criteria, not hidden observations about who picks up a cup.
The idea has sparked a broader conversation about fairness and power in hiring. Job seekers already face a wide range of expectations, from professional attire to rehearsed answers. Adding hidden behavioral tests into the mix makes the process even more exhausting. Many people believe that if culture fit is important, then hiring managers should explain what that means upfront — not spring it on candidates in the form of a silent cup challenge.
How Should Job Interviews Really Work?
You might find yourself wondering whether this kind of test is harmless or problematic. Does returning a cup really reflect your ability to do the job? Or is it a trap that favors those who know the rules in advance? While it’s true that actions can speak louder than words, many believe interview environments should give every candidate a fair shot — not reward only those who read between the lines.
Small gestures matter, especially in team environments. But using them as secret tests in high-stakes situations may do more harm than good. People interviewing for jobs already carry stress, anxiety, and hope. Watching their behavior through a magnifying glass over something so minor could come across as condescending rather than insightful.
Would you pass the coffee cup test, or do you think this hiring method crosses the line? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.
Via: UNILAD Tech
