Starbucks Barista Interview Questions and Answers
In the previous article, we talked about how to prepare for a barista job interview. Preparing for your Starbucks barista interview will help you make a great impression on your possible future employer. If you really want this job, do your due diligence and try to find out as much as you can about the coffee shop you applied for.
Your barista interview is an important step, which will define if you get hired as a barista or not. Don't worry if you have no previous experience as a barista; be confident about yourself and think in advance about your skills and strengths.
We have talked to Starbucks employees who know how to nail a barista interview and who agreed to share their experience with us. Starbucks barista interview questions may vary, but all of them can be classified into the following groups:
- Personality
- Availability
- Why Starbucks?
- Customer service / Previous experience
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork
- Goals and improvements
- Stress resistance
Starbucks Job Interview Tips
In this online barista training article, we’ll have a closer look at basic questions you will probably have to answer during a barista job interview at Starbucks or any other coffee shop. We are also giving you possible answers that were successful and helped baristas to get employed at Starbucks.
Note: you may want to adapt or elaborate on the following barista interview answers depending on your own experience and working history. These answers are only given to familiarize you with the barista job interview process.
Personality
Q: What is your best personal trait?
A: My best personality trait is that I can easily get along with anyone. I’m very friendly, and I like to help other people.
Q: What are your weaknesses?
A: Everyone has their own weaknesses, and mine is that I sometimes take criticism too personally. On the other hand, it motivates me to put more effort into everything that I do.
Or
A: Little work experience. But I’m sure that Starbucks is a great place for me because I’m eager to learn.
Q: If you’ve had a bad day, how do you react?
A: I rarely have bad days. If I do, I try to release my negative feelings by listening to cheerful music or jogging after work.
Availability
Q: What is your availability?
A: I study in the art school, and I’m in classes Monday to Thursday from 10 am till 3 pm. I want to work in the evenings. Night shifts are good for me too.
Or
A: I’m currently unemployed, so I’m pretty flexible regarding when you need me in the coffee shop. I can also work on weekends.
Why Starbucks?
Q: Why do you think you will like working at Starbucks?
A: I love the atmosphere and the ambiance of Starbucks every time I come over to get my coffee drink. I like to interact with people, and I love coffee. There is no doubt that I believe I will do well as a barista.
Customer service / previous experience
Q: Tell me about your working experience in the food industry or customer service.
A: In high school, I used to have a part-time job in the kitchen of a local restaurant, so I had to apply to obtain a Food handler's card. I took an online course to learn food safety issues, regulations, and techniques to maintain a food-safe environment
Or
A: I don’t have any experience in the food industry, and I’m very excited to start my Starbucks career. Regarding my previous working experience, I helped my dad a lot in his car workshop, and I also was a basketball coach.
Leadership skills
Q: Tell me about a time you worked with a team and demonstrated leadership.
A: I was a member of many school projects, and every time I was the one who coordinated the activities of our team, delegated tasks, and made sure we are on schedule. My friends would tell me that I’m a perfect leader.
Or
A: Once at my previous job, my manager got sick, and he called me and asked me to create a shift schedule for the next week and make a few important announcements to the team members.
Teamwork
Q: Describe when you disagreed with a co-worker and how did you resolve it?
A: I was always getting along well with my coworkers. If a disagreement came up, I would sit down, explain my view, find a consensus, and move forward. I can think of one situation when my colleague had a different view on how the project had to be executed. He wouldn’t talk for me for a day, but I approached him, and we discussed the situation with our team leader and worked out a strategy that worked for all of us.
Q: Do you prefer working in a team environment or alone?
A: I think in most situations, it’s better to work collaboratively with your colleagues, but there are situations when you should really focus on the task at hand. For example, if I’m making a latte, I’d rather pull espresso and stem milk myself and ask my coworker to serve a dessert if it’s ordered.
Goals and Improvements
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: I would like to complete the Starbucks management course and see myself as a manager in a Starbucks store.
Stress resistance
Q: If a customer complained about their drink, what do you do?
A: I think I can handle them very well. I stay calm in stressful situations, and I think the main thing about customer complaints is they want to be heard. If you listen and they can see that you care. I’ll do my best so that they leave satisfied.
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