CEO reveals the little-known ‘water test’ she uses in job interviews to spot the right candidate
Hoping to make a good impression at a job interview or even at an important business meeting? A corporate executive has revealed a simple way you can foster a positive outcome before the meeting has even begun.
Julie Helms, a former energy industry CEO who now specialises as an executive presence educator, has been in the hiring seat during dozens of interviews – but is always stunned that so many applicants miss out on an easy win right at the very start.
And it has absolutely nothing to do with an applicant’s experience, skills or suitability for the role.
‘What’s the first thing you are offered in a meeting?’ Julie asked in a post shared to her @juliehelmss Instagram account. ‘Usually, it’s a glass of water.’
‘And what does everyone say to that offer? “Oh no, thanks. I’m fine.”‘
But if you’re hoping to start the meeting on a positive note, Julie explained in a video that you shouldn’t turn down this polite gesture.
‘There’s a scientific reason to be the person who says “Yes, please”. And that is the neurological link between generosity and happiness.
‘By enabling their generosity when you accept, you’re giving them a tiny mood boost.’
Julie Helms, a former energy industry CEO who now specialises as an executive presence educator, shared her ‘always take the water’ trick for job interviews and important meetings in a recent video post
Julie explained how answering ‘yes’ to the polite gesture subconsciously fosters a positive environment before the meeting has even begun
Her ultimate underrated interview tip? ‘Always take the water.’
Julie elaborated further to Daily Mail on the little-known business etiquette tip, explaining how it could, on a subconscious level, impact the tone of the forthcoming meeting.
‘Saying “yes” to the offer of water is not just about whether you’re thirsty. It’s a small social gesture that helps the other person feel comfortable and valued, which quietly strengthens connection from the very start.’
As the old saying goes, “First impressions count” – and in Julie’s experience, that extends to these polite small talk and social interactions before the formalities commence.
‘Meetings and job interviews are just as much about rapport as they are about the actual content. The tone is often set in the first few seconds.’
‘Humans are wired with survival instincts that constantly scan for cues about whether someone is a friend or a threat, often without us even realising it. Small social signals can influence that perception. Saying “yes” to water is a subtle friend cue. It helps shift both people out of a fight or flight mindset and into a more grounded, collaborative state, which supports clearer thinking and better communication.’
Furthermore, Julie says that in particularly strenuous interviews, having a glass of water at hand can be helpful on a practical level – and not just to quench any dehydration-related nerves.
‘Having a glass of water gives you something natural to do with your hands and creates built-in pause moments, say if you need a second to think before answering a question.’
Julie explained how having a glass of water at hand can be helpful on a practical level to offer natural pause moments in conversation (Picture: stock image)
‘That tiny bit of space can make you appear more composed under pressure.’
So, will the meeting fall apart if you decline the offer of water at the start? Not necessarily – but Julie explains that it could introduce a ‘very subtle distance’ between the parties.
‘Leading with a “no”, even a very polite “no, thank you”, can introduce a subtle distance. When the stakes are as low as a glass of water, simply saying “yes” helps establish a cooperative rhythm from the start.
‘Accepting the offer also positions you as someone who expects to be there and feels comfortable in the space. Those early impressions are powerful, and they can influence how the rest of the conversation unfolds.’
An Australian CEO previously revealed how he uses the offer of a beverage during a job interview as a mini-test for potential candidates.
Former Xero Australia managing director Trent Innes admitted in a 2019 interview that he refuses to hire anyone who doesn’t offer to take their empty coffee cup back to the kitchen at the end of a job interview.
He explained that this tactic gave him a snapshot into the person’s ‘attitude’ and ‘ownership’.
Before commencing his interview, Mr Innes revealed he usually takes the prospective candidate for a walk to the kitchen, where they are given a glass of water, coffee, tea or soft drink.
Former Xero Australia’s managing director Trent Innes (pictured) would use a “coffee cup return” test in job interviews
He previously told the Venture Podcast with Lambros Photios that what he’s subsequently looking for is to see if the person offers to return the empty cup to the kitchen at the conclusion of the interview.
By implementing this approach, Mr Innes said his secret technique helps ensure he finds the perfect employee who will fit into the culture of his company.
‘So what I was trying to find was what was the lowest level task I could find that regardless of what you did inside the organisation was still super important that would actually really drive a culture of ownership,’ he said.
‘You really want to make sure that you’ve got people who have got a real sense of ownership, and that’s really what I was looking for.’
