🧋How an incorrect coffee order ruined this job interview
If you are meeting a potential employer for a job interview over coffee, the way you fill the order could make the difference between getting hired or not. The story I’m about to share is true and I hope that if you are ever in a similar situation, you’ll handle it differently and actually get hired!
My friend (we'll call him,) "Hollywood Hank," is actively interviewing candidates to work as his next assistant. He's been in the business a long time and as president of a division, he relies on his assistant to have common sense and pay attention to details.
"Job-Seeker Joe" went to a good school, had internship experience, but most importantly, he was refered by one of the biggest talent agents in town. Because of that recommendation, Job-Seeker Joe bypassed the phone stage and went right to the in-person interview with Hollywood Hank at Coffee Bean. Meeting in person was just a formality, as he basically was going to be hired.
Hollywood Hank texted Job-Seeker Joe on his way over. "If you get there first, please order something for yourself and get me an ice blended. I’ll pay for it when I get there."
Job-Seeker Joe texted back, "Sure."
When my friend got there, his large ice blended coffee with whipped cream was waiting for him.
It's obvious where this story is going, right?
You know how you like your coffee order, I know how I like my coffee order but the only question that matters is, "how does Hollywood Hank like his coffee?" Hollywood Hank is over 50 and a big sugary coffee is not what he wants on a Tuesday afternoon. While Job-seeker Joe didn’t intentionally mess up the coffee order, he messed up his chances of getting hired by not asking clarifying questions about size, sugar, whip etc…
Not only are we in a town where nearly everyone has a dietary desire (allergies, sensitivities, or just conscious of good health & calories) but working as an assistant in entertainment requires common sense and attention to detail. Even though the setting for this interview was casual, it's still a job interview where what you do and say is being evaluated. Whether it is conscious or not, a potential employer is noticing if your shirt is ironed, if you are fidgeting, how often you make eye contact, how courteous you are to people around you, etc. — and most certainly, how this job candidate took direction for a simple coffee order was noted.
Hollywood Hank doesn't like his ice blended with whipped cream, but more importantly, he noticed that Job-Seeker Joe didn't even ask him what he wanted.
If I were in Job-Seeker Joe's shoes and had received that text from a potential employer who was interviewing me for a job where details matter, I'd want him happy. So I'd make sure I got him the right order. My response would have asked for clarification. I mean, just because I enjoy a small, vanilla, decaf ice blended no whip cream, doesn't mean that everyone does. I would simply ask and text back:
”Size? Flavor? Whip or Sugar? Full caff or decaf? Any other special requests?
While Hollywood Hank isn't as fussy as I am, he would have loved that response because it demonstrated common sense. His coffee order would have been correct and Job-Seeker Joe would be jobless no more! (Right, Job-Seeker Joe didn't get the job working for Hollywood Hank. Even a recommendation from one of the most powerful agents in Hollywood can only get you so far.) A coffee mistake is a small one, but it was an indication of bigger issues. As they say, "how you do one thing is how you do everything."
In the grand scheme of things, messing up a coffee order isn’t the end of the world, but it did ruin the chances of working for this executive. The next time you find yourself in a similar situation, just remember to ask clarifying questions.