Job interviews can be quite daunting, with candidates often stressing about how to provide the best answers to the questions asked by employers. However, not all companies rely on tough questioning. One boss has shared a unique test he uses during job interviews to determine whether an applicant is a good fit for the role. Trent Innes, the former managing director for Xero Australia, explained that he refuses to hire anyone who fails to return an empty coffee cup to the kitchen at the end of the interview. In a resurfaced 2019 interview with The Ventures podcast, Mr. Innes said, “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. Then we take the drink back, have our interview, and at the end, I look to see if the person wants to take the empty cup back to the kitchen. It’s all about the concept of ‘wash your own coffee cup’.”
Mr. Innes believes that this simple act reveals a lot about a person’s attitude and their potential as an employee. “You can acquire skills and knowledge, but what truly matters is the attitude, particularly the mentality of taking responsibility for small tasks like washing your own coffee cup,” he explained. This trick has allowed him to gauge a candidate’s level of commitment and ownership.
According to Mr. Innes, offering to return the cup demonstrates eagerness and a sense of ownership, which are crucial qualities in a fast-growing company like Xero. He aims to ensure that new hires fit into the company culture and embrace their responsibilities. Remarkably, only five to ten percent of interviewees fail the “coffee cup” test by neglecting to return their cups.
Interestingly, Mr. Innes is not the only employer who employs such tactics during interviews. Victoria Devine, an author and money columnist, uses a similar strategy to shortlist candidates. In her job descriptions, she explicitly asks applicants to use a specific email address and address their applications directly to her to demonstrate their attention to detail. She pays no attention to those who apply through LinkedIn, as they did not follow the instructions.
Additionally, an employee on Reddit shared an experience where a candidate ruined their chances during an interview by being dismissive towards the receptionist. The receptionist, who was actually the hiring manager, noted the candidate’s lack of engagement and respect. As a result, the hiring manager decided that the candidate would not fit in with the team.
These sneaky tricks used by employers highlight the importance of demeanor and attitude in job interviews. They serve as indicators of a candidate’s character and compatibility with company culture. So, the next time you’re in an interview, remember to return your coffee cup and treat everyone respectfully—from receptionists to hiring managers.
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