Starbucks is known for having an amazing work culture. When it comes to employee development, paying a living wage, amazing benefits, and advancement opportunities, Starbucks is often viewed as the gold standard. In addition to that, they truly live up to their corporate social responsibility statement, and their commitment to D, E, & I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Show
All of this is makes Starbucks an attractive place to work, especially as a college student or recent graduate. But they also have a competitive hiring process. If you want to triumph over that, you better know how to beat these common interview questions from Starbucks. How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Starbucks?You have to be 16 years old to work at Starbucks in most states. Some will hire 15-year-olds and very rarely 14 year-olds. So if you are a high school student or in college, it can be a good part-time job with an opportunity for promotions. How Do you Pass a Starbucks Interview?Starbucks is all about culture. Pass your interview by showing that you will fit in well as a member of their team and that you understand Starbucks’ mission. Before you go, do your research. Fortunately, Starbucks has made it exceptionally easy to learn about the company and the requirements for each role from visiting their website. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to do some pre-interview company research on your own and read reviews or insights from current and former employees. Finally, Starbucks really emphasizes behavioral interview techniques. These are interview questions that begin with phrases like, “Tell me about a time when you…” or “Share an example of your…”. The idea is to get you talking and share some real-life examples that exemplify your skills and experience. General Starbucks Job Interview Questions and AnswersStarbucks is regularly hiring for retail, corporate, manufacturing, and college internships. The interview questions for each of these positions are a bit different. However, most people will be asked these general interview questions no matter which position they are pursuing. Can You Please Tell Us About Yourself?A time-tested question allowing you to demonstrate your ability to speak clearly, respond to questions in an unstructured setting, and prioritize what is important. Remember that they don’t want a laundry list of personality traits and interests. They want you to give your answer in the context of the position. Don’t forget to take the company’s needs into consideration as well. Example Answer:
Read more about how to answer “tell me about yourself” interview question. Why Do You Want to Work at Starbucks?Interviewers want to know that you have realistic expectations of the position. Additionally, they want to know exactly why you are interested in the position. For example, Starbucks is known for being a fun workplace. However, the productivity demands are high and so are expectations. Focus on culture, but also merit. Example Answer:
Read more about how to answer the “why you are interested in this position” interview question or watch our short video:
Why Do You Think You’d Make a Good Fit for Starbucks?This is where they want to see how your work style, personality, and drive are a good fit for the company and the position. This is a real turning point question as it asks you exactly what it is you bring to the table. Work hard to condense your most important selling points here. This is where you present your value proposition. Example Answer:
Why Do You Love Coffee?Simply put, Starbucks sells coffee as one of its primary products. That’s not just their retail sales, but also as a wholesaler. They want people who appreciate and understand the product. But, what happens if you don’t like coffee? Don’t despair. Be honest, but also show an appreciation for and knowledge of their core product. Then, talk about what you really do love. Example Answer:
Need more help? Check other common interview questions and answers from our team. 6 Starbucks Barista Interview QuestionsThere are some interview questions that Starbucks reserves specifically for baristas. These questions have been adopted from candidate feedback on Glassdoor. How Long Can an Espresso Shot Survive?The job of a barista is a skilled position. You must have technical knowledge in place to deliver a quality product. Not only that, but you should also be able to explain why. Example Answer:
How Well Do You Handle Demanding Customers?They want to pre-assess your interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. They also want to understand what characteristics you see as difficult or demanding. Example Answer:
How Would You Manage a Customer Who Claims Their Drink Order is Wrong?Remember that the customer isn’t always right. However, they do know what they want. The interviewer wants to know how you fix a mistake, or simply make a change to help them have the best possible experience. Example Answer:
How Do You Take Constructive Criticism?Of course, anybody with common sense is going to say they handle constructive criticism well. What the interviewer really wants to know is what you do to incorporate constructive criticism in a way that improves your performance. Example Answer:
Tell Me About a Time When You Gave Great Customer Service?As a barista, you are truly the key factor in the customer experience. The interviewer wants to know how you deliver that in a concrete way. Example Answer:
Tell Me About a Time When You’ve Made Someone’s Day?Starbucks cares about creating an environment that emphasizes kindness and empathy. Making someone’s day shows that you value others, and are willing to act on that in a tangible way. Example Answer:
4 Starbucks Shift Supervisor Interview QuestionsStarbucks has a few other questions reserved for team leaders. Below are four Starbucks interview questions and answers for shift supervisors. Tell Me About a Scenario in Which You Needed to Solve a Conflict Between Members of Your Team.Shift supervisors are people managers above all else. You have to show that you can manage a team of people with sometimes conflicting needs and views. It’s tricky to handle conflicts, but you have to show you can deal with this gracefully. Example Answer:
How Do You Hold Others Accountable In Order to Meet Customer Objectives?Many shift leaders make one of two mistakes: They either drive their staff too hard without giving them the support they need or they take on all the responsibility of meeting goals themselves. Neither of these is healthy or helpful. The interviewer wants to know how you build accountability in a way that works. Example Answer:
What Do You Think Makes Stellar Customer Service?You are applying for a job where you’re going to be judging other people on their ability to provide customer service. The interviewer naturally wants to know how you set those standards. Example Answer:
How Do You Motivate and Empower Others to Do Their Best Work?They say that people quit managers not jobs. The interviewer wants to see that your style of managing people aligns with the organization, and will get good results. Example Answer:
FAQs About Starbucks Hiring PracticesTo round this up, we’ve prepared answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about getting hired at Starbucks. Is it hard to get hired at Starbucks?Yes, it is quite hard to get hired at Starbucks, compared to other chain coffee shops and cafes. They offer jobs to only a small percentage of applicants. But given that they are a global company with many locations around the world, ultimately they hire about 80,000 people per year for part-time, temporary, and full-time positions. How long does it take to hear back from a Starbucks interview?This depends. Corporate and production interviews take longer — about the standard one or two weeks. However, if you are applying for a retail position like a barista and the store is busy and short-staffed, you may receive an offer right after the first interview. When should I call Starbucks after applying?You should wait at least a week before calling them to ask about your application status. Then, never call more than once per week or you’ll appear too annoying and unprofessional. How long does it take for Starbucks to hire you?The average time to hire for a new role at Starbucks is three weeks. However, barista jobs often hire faster than corporate ones. So it’s not unusual to be invited to the shop within a week or two after you receive an offer. Author
Why do you want this job barista answer?SUGGESTED ANSWER: “First and foremost, I want to work in a customer-facing role where I get the opportunity to make a positive difference to people's lives. More and more people are buying coffee and hot drinks and they are choosing their coffee company carefully.
What do they ask you in a Starbucks interview?15 Starbucks Interview Questions With Answers. Why do you want to work at Starbucks? ... . What's your favorite drink at Starbucks? ... . How would you approach an issue where a customer says their drink is wrong? ... . What does customer service mean to you? ... . If we ran out of a product or ingredient, how would you tell the customer?. Why do people work at Starbucks?Starbucks is the kind of place you don't feel as pressured to constantly be buying stuff, at small cafes I feel like I'm in the way sitting for a long time. It's a more accessible and familiar environment for many younger people as well as those who can't afford to buy much.
Why do you want to work for this opportunity?“In my career, I am sure of one thing and that is I want to build a decent career in my current domain. My present job has shown me the path to move and attain what has been my long-term career objective. I have acquired necessary skills to some extent as well as have got accustomed to the corporate way of working.
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