No iced coffee, AirPods in the waiting room or reading notes off your phone: Experts reveal the modern-day habits that are costing you your dream job

What might seem like a harmless everyday purchase has found itself at the centre of a fiery online debate: is it ever OK to bring an iced coffee into a job interview?Anyone who has navigated the corporate world will know that the hiring process comes with plenty of unspoken rules, from how you dress to how you carry yourself in the room.Arriving late, having poor body language, badmouthing a former employer or bringing up salary too early are just some of the classic interview mistakes candidates have long been warned about.But in today's workplace, it seems there could be a whole new set of habits and behaviours that might sway a hiring manager's opinion in seconds - and it all starts with what you're drinking.In recent weeks, the internet has been divided over the simple act of bringing an iced coffee into an interview.While some have branded the move 'unprofessional' and a sign of poor time management, others argue that employers should move away from outdated stigmas about what makes someone look professional.So, what really gives a potential employer a bad first impression, and what could actually hurt your chances of landing the job?The Daily Mail asked two experts to reveal the interview habits that could raise red flags for hiring managers - as well as the seemingly innocent mistakes that could cost you your dream role... While some have branded the act of bringing an iced coffee into an interview 'unprofessional' and a sign of poor time management, others argue that employers should move away from outdated stigmas about what makes someone look professionalBringing an iced coffee into the room While grabbing a takeaway coffee or iced matcha before an interview might sound like second nature, carrying it into the room could give off a very different impression. Some hiring managers may view this simple act as overly casual or distracting, while others may not bat an eyelid - making this one of the most highly-debated workplace etiquette rules. Will Steward, CEO & Co-founder, The SaaS Jobs, offers his take: 'I'd personally avoid it just because it can make the interview feel too casual before you've had a chance to establish yourself, and it gives you one more thing to juggle when you should be focused on the conversation. 'My verdict on most of these things will be to err on the side of caution, and in this case, I'd stick to water offered by the interviewer.'Michele LaFemina, Clinical Director at Pathways Treatment Center, added: 'If you arrive carrying your phone, bag, coffee, and perhaps trying to shake someone's hand at the same time, you can also appear distracted before the conversation even begins. 'I would not say that a coffee should cost someone a job, but when candidates are otherwise evenly matched, very small details can influence the feeling someone leaves behind.We asked two experts - Will Steward (left) and Michele LaFemina (right) to reveal the interview habits that could raise red flags for hiring managersWearing AirPods or headphones You might be using the time before an interview to listen to music and calm your nerves in the waiting room, but keeping your AirPods in or headphones on could potentially come across as disengaged and less alert. Michele said: 'The receptionist, future colleague, or hiring manager may try to speak to you, and having headphones in creates an immediate barrier. 'Even if you are only listening to something to calm your nerves, the message other people receive may be, "I am in my own world and I will engage when I am ready"'.Reading notes off of your phoneHaving a few last-minute reminders on your phone is one thing, but repeatedly looking down at it during an interview could make it seem as though you're distracted or dependent on information hiring managers may expect you to know instinctively. Michele said: 'Having a few reminders before an interview is completely reasonable, but constantly looking down at a screen while answering can make someone seem underprepared or disconnected. 'A phone carries another problem because the interviewer does not know whether you are reading notes, checking a message, or searching for an answer.'Will added: 'I wouldn’t do it unless you’ve been explicitly told you can refer to notes. If there are a few points you genuinely don’t want to forget, take a small notebook instead. It looks more deliberate and doesn’t carry the same association as it would if you were reading off your notes app.'Using AI or reading from a scriptWith AI tools now readily available, it might be tempting to have Chat GPT or a carefully prepared script on standby during a virtual interview. However, relying too heavily on either could make your answers sound rehearsed and prevent an interviewer from getting a sense of your personality and experience. Michele warned: 'People are becoming very good at recognizing when somebody is not speaking naturally. 'There may be strange pauses, unusually polished sentences, or answers that sound impressive but do not quite match the person's normal way of communicating. Psychologically, that creates uncertainty. 'The interviewer starts wondering whether they are meeting the candidate or a carefully constructed version of them. AI can be excellent for preparing examples or practicing possible questions, but once the interview starts, people generally respond better to a genuine answer with a little hesitation.'Joining an interview remotely from a busy cafe - or your bedRemote interviews have made it easier than ever to dial in from virtually anywhere - but that doesn't necessarily mean you should. Joining a Zoom or phone call from a noisy café or, worse, while under the duvet could suggest a lack of preparation and consideration for formalities. Will said: 'I’d see this as poor judgement unless there's genuinely no alternative. A noisy café creates distraction and makes it harder for both sides to hear properly and joining from bed looks too informal for a professional conversation. 'You don’t need a perfect home office, but you do need somewhere quiet where the interviewer can focus on you rather than your surroundings.' Joining a Zoom or phone call from a noisy café or, worse, while under the duvet could suggest a lack of preparation and consideration for formalitiesFocusing entirely on pay and perksWith the cost of living continuing to put pressure on households across the UK, it's understandable that salary and benefits are high on a candidate's list of priorities. However, making pay, holidays and perks the main focus of an interview before discussing the role itself could risk giving the impression you're more interested in the package than the job. Michele advised: 'People have very real financial concerns, and there is nothing inappropriate about asking about compensation. The problem arises when those are the only questions being asked. 'If every question is about salary, holiday allowance, remote work, bonuses, and how quickly someone can be promoted, an employer may start wondering whether there is any interest in the actual role. 'I would advise candidates to ask about money openly, but balance those questions with curiosity about the team, expectations, challenges, and what success in the position would look like.'Wearing AI glassesThis might sound like a niche concern, but as smart glasses become more sophisticated, the possibility of someone turning up to an interview wearing a pair isn't quite so far-fetched. Even if smart glasses are being used innocently, an interviewer could have concerns about privacy or whether a candidate is receiving outside help. Will warned: 'Absolutely not! Strongly advise against this unless there's a very clear accessibility reason that's been agreed beforehand. Even if you aren't recording, the interviewer doesn't know that, and would definitely be concerned about privacy. 'Anything that makes the other person wonder whether they’re being recorded or whether your answers are being fed to you will become the only thing they remember about you, and if they clocked the glasses they may not even continue with the interview. Leave the technology off and let the conversation stand on its own.'Wearing inappropriate clothing While the rules around interview attire have become far more relaxed, there's still a difference between dressing casually and looking as though you've just rolled out of bed, a gym or an informal setting.Trainers, jeans, hoodies or low-cut tops might be perfectly acceptable in some workplaces, but, according to Will, candidates should consider the culture of the company and the role they're applying for. He said: 'If you’re interviewing for a creative agency, smart trainers may be completely acceptable. If you’re meeting a conservative professional services firm, they may look too casual. 'I’d always aim slightly smarter than the everyday dress code of the workplace. Low-cut clothing or joggers might distract from the impression you want to make, so always consider the setting.' Wearing 'distracting' nail artAcrylics and bold colours are unlikely to be an issue for most employers, but extremely long nails or vivid nail art could be seen as distracting. Even chipped nail polish can be noticeable in an interview, particularly for roles where presentation and attention to detail are important. Will added: 'Interviews are one of the few situations where people notice small details more than usual, so I'd make sure whatever style you choose looks intentional and well-kept.' Chewing gum It might seem obvious, but chewing gum during an interview can quickly become distracting and can make it harder to communicate clearly.Will warned: 'Always avoid completely. Your speech might be less clear, you're making distracting mouth movements, and it just comes off overly casual. 'The interviewer is trying to listen to what you’re saying, so anything that competes with that works against you. If you’ve had gum on the way there, dispose of it before you enter the building.' Lack of hygienePerhaps the least controversial of the bunch, but personal hygiene can have a major impact on a first impression.Strong body odour, unwashed hair or visibly dirty clothing can be distracting to an interviewer, and, fairly or not, may influence how they perceive a candidate's professionalism. 'An interview is going to involve sitting fairly close to someone for an extended period so any body odour or poor grooming is going to raise questions about your judgment in a workplace setting,' Will cautioned.'Clean clothes, fresh breath and basic personal hygiene are non-negotiables. That being said, I would also be careful with wearing an overly strong fragrance because that can be just as uncomfortable in a small meeting room as poor hygiene. You don't want your presentation to become part of the interview at all.'