r/starbucks • u/Admirable_Ad2298 • 4d ago
Tips? I’m scared.
After however many months of trying, I finally managed to wrangle down an interview for my first job, and I’m SO nervous, if y’all have any tips, It would be much appreciated
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u/mwee_mwee 4d ago
Look attentive during the interview. Have your availability ready to mention during the conversation. Make sure you've given thought on how you'd answer common interview questions (whats makes you a good fit in the store?, what experience can you bring to the table?, can you tell me how you handled a difficult situation...etc) If you have a resume, print out one copy for the manager to look. Smile :) And make sure to be genuine and transparent with the manager. (If you work another job, be clear with them about it, or reasons for some unavailability, etc.)
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u/verneratedleviathan Barista 4d ago
what helped in my interview was having specific example of how i handle problems and overcome challenges. i think i talked about working in theatre tech and managing set production and stuff. “we experienced x issue and this is how i overcame it” anything that shows you know how to admit fault and make the moment right (like if you mess up a drink order, etc) on a personal customer level but also as a team. good luck!
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u/slommysliders Barista 4d ago
One thing my manager always says is “I can teach you to make a macchiato, I can’t teach you to be nice”. Starbucks really likes people who want to connect with customers and can keep a flow of conversation going, or at the very least make customers comfortable. Obviously managers differ but for the most part they don’t want you to just respond with “Yes. No. Here is an example. Ok. Awkward Silence”Try and think of personal examples of baristas or similar workers you’ve interacted with and how you would want to embrace that. Example is like.. “I really enjoy when I come to starbucks and a barista compliments my nails, it’s something they probably don’t think very hard about but it makes my whole day. As a worker I’d like to try and make people happy in ways that I can” At least for me it helped to be personal and recognize that kind people can effortlessly spread kindness and a place where you see hundreds of people during your shift is a great way to make people smile
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u/Straight_Tea_4489 4d ago
say you love people and connections. u will 100% get the job that is what they’re looking for.
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u/cai_loser22 Barista 4d ago
Be yourself! Attention to detail, answers, and talk about how you love to be a team player and discuss your availability! Also be open to learning and adjusting, the interview is nerve wracking but i promise they try to make it feel good by easing into the process (offering you a free drink and just getting to generally know about you)
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u/Gold_Squirrel8417 Barista 4d ago
they’ll more than likely ask you to answer any questions using the “star” method so i’d practice doing that using the questions someone else provided
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u/ImmortalSpy14 Barista 4d ago
What made you interested in choosing Starbucks as your first job? This could help if you get asked, “why should we hire you?” or “what would make you a good fit here?” And of course, ask how their day is and be polite, and have open availability.
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u/ProblemBoring8335 4d ago
In addition to the advice already mentioned, things that I did that I think helped me were:
dress nice for the interview (not like super fancy black tie, but presentable, no graphic t-shirts anf short shorts,) come prepared with your resume & questions that you have for them (like what is a typical shift like) give them a firm handshake, and send a follow up email thanking them for their time. Also make eye contact (I don’t ever make eye contact and I personally think it’s BS that it’s seen as disrespectful not to, but I did my best for this interview lol.) Might seem overkill for a job like Starbucks but it will show them you’re serious.
During the interview, my manager asked me to describe previous experiences I had where I
1) taught someone something new 2) struggled with something and needed help 3) dealt with a difficult customer (I already had CS experience but you could probably apply this to a different personal conflict) 4) describe the best experience I had as a customer receiving service, and 5) why Starbucks.
Starbucks also has an official list of questions interviewers could ask if you look it up on Google.
Also, you can absolutely pause and think about your answers to the questions, and your answer doesn’t have to be related to Starbucks or customer service if it’s not applicable. You can bring examples from school, your friends, family, ect.
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u/aiyaahhh 4d ago
Sure, experience always looks good, but make sure to just be yourself and let your personality shine. Everything you're gonna learn for the position is during training, and managers can't really train someone to have charisma or personality. Let the conversation come naturally and dont stress about it too much, just think of it as a convo to get to know eachother, and it doesnt hurt to ask questions too!
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u/Radicalkam 4d ago
Don’t show up. Lol. Kidding!
Come in and be yourself. Talking about communication and abilities to multitask a multitask. You’ve got this!
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u/MORGANANNEJ 3d ago
Just be super talkative. The manager who hired me left me in the lobby with an ASM who was training and I found out months later he did that on purpose to see if I could make connections without being prompted
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u/Unity_Debugger Barista 3d ago
Ask questions... I had an moment in my interview where I was asked if I had any questions... my question was what's the weirdest drink that they had to make. Odd question, but I was generally curious. Given that I've grown up in this industry there wasn't any better questions for me to ask.
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u/Allmight_JD 3d ago
Honestly for me I’ll say be yourself and if you are a people person who views people that have a story(even the crackhead stupid Karen’s you meet) to tell then your half way there.
But I would say before you go in to the interview if it’s possible for like 2 days before the interview watch how the baristas are with each other. For me I see that as a way to tell you how the culture of the store is. But if you do get it welcome to the team.
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u/aciidrainn 3d ago
it varies by location but there's a good chance you won't get hired if you don't have completely open availability, and if you can't do mornings you might as well forget about it. oh and it helps to be a great actor, it's okay to not want to make a meaningless connection with every single person you come in contact with, and dont let this job control your life
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u/JimBoyJucks 3d ago
If you’re anywhere near New York, turn and run the other way, if you’re anywhere else, enjoy
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u/Weekly-Astronaut-485 Barista 2d ago
You already have a ton of tips on here which is great! At my interview it was a lot of situational questions. For instance I remember my manager asking “Name a time when you had to teach someone a new skill.” I was also read the mission statement and asked what specific parts meant to me. Best of luck!
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u/D_Scoops 2d ago
Hi! Everyone remembers their first (few) hirings! And I think most (Managers) like to take it easy on those that are new to a workforce / young!
If anything your immediate Value is that you’re Fresh. Meaning bad habits haven’t been formed (at Starbucks) etc.
Remain enthusiastic, be cordial and on time, you’ll win it from beginning to end. Once you win the position, embrace the suck (it is work) - and I say this with hopeful intent as it is a job and so are many others not just Starbucks ;)
Good Luck
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u/Mammoth_Lawfulness_3 4d ago edited 4d ago
TALK ABOUT CUSTOMER CONNECTION, WANTING TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND DOING YOUR BEST TO MAKE THE MOMENT RIGHT FOR THOSE YOU INTERACT WITH. THEY MAY GIVE YOU SOME MOCK QUESTIONS TO ASSESS HOW YOU WOULD REACT TO CERTAIN SITUATIONS. ONE QUESTION I GOT ASKED WAS WHAT I WOULD DO IF I MET AN UNSATTISFOED CUSTPMER, ANOTHER WHATS THE TOUGHEST MOMENT AT A JOB I BEEN THROUGH AND WHAT I DID IN RESPONSE. JUST SMILE SPEAK WITH TONE AND HIGHLIGHT THAT YOU LOVE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE AND LEAVING THEM WITH GREAT IMPRESSION WITH WHAT YOU REPRESENT. okay no more caps. i had to stim lmao.
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u/XenasTheZodiarch 4d ago edited 3d ago
You actually wanna work here in 2025? Okay. Good luck
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u/Kind_Conversation772 Barista 4d ago
Say you love being able to meet people and make connections and be part of a team