Starbucks Interview Questions

Question 1

What’s your availability like?

Answer 1

I’m available Friday through Sunday. Monday and Wednesday I’m out of class at 2:00PM. Tuesday I’m out of class at 9:00AM. Thursday I’m out of class at 2:40PM. And I occasionally have events with the band.

Question 2

Why Starbucks?/Why do you want to be a barista?

Answer 2

Because based on my experience volunteering at band events, I find that I thrive in fast paced environments and do my best work collaboratively. I also know that I love creating meaningful connections with guests and it’s so fulfilling to be able to make someone’s day brighter any way I can.

Question 3

Why Starbucks and not somewhere else?

Answer 3

Because I really admire the culture around customer service and teamwork that is completely unique to Starbucks. I love how there is so much emphasis on building genuine relationships with the people who come in and I would love to be able to work with my team to create an environment that is just so welcoming, kind, and accepting. And I feel like those things are exclusive to Starbucks.

Question 4

What would you do if you had a difficult customer?

Answer 4

I would diffuse the situation by apologizing and asking what I could do to ensure that the customer feels seen and heard. If they continuously had an issue, then I would have to hand the situation over to a manager.

Question 5

Why should we hire you?/What makes you a good fit?/What skills make you well equipped for this role?/What are your greatest strengths?

Answer 5

I am dedicated to anything I set my mind to. If I want to ensure the store has a welcoming environment, then I’ll do whatever I can to work with my team members to make it happen. If I want to make sure that I build genuine connections with customers, then I will do whatever I can to make sure that happens. I’m also compassionate, detail oriented, and work well in a fast paced environment.

Question 6

Why shouldn’t we hire you?/What doesn’t make you a good fit?

Answer 6

I don’t think there’s a good reason not to.

Question 7

What are your weaknesses?

Answer 7

I get really invested in making what I do perfect, so whenever I make a mistake I’m really hard on myself. But, I’ve learned that my mistakes aren’t an indicator of my self worth, and that all I have to do is learn from them so I don’t make the same mistakes over and over again.

Question 8

How would you handle a customer who claims their drink order is wrong?

Answer 8

First, I’d ask them to tell me about the issue to make sure they feel understood and heard. I’d need to know what they originally ordered and what was wrong with the drink they got. If the drink was different from what they ordered, then I’d remake it. But if the problem was more complicated, then I’d ask them to describe what they didn’t like about their drink, that way I could suggest a change that would better suit what they want in their drink, then I’d remake it for them.

Question 9

If a customer picked up their drink, took a sip, and became visibly unhappy, but didn’t approach an employee about it, what would you do?

Answer 9

If a customer didn’t seem happy with their drink, I would reach out and say “Hey, I’m so sorry it doesn’t seem like you’re happy with your drink, is there anything I can do for you?” And of course some people will say “No it’s okay”, and so I’d reassure them that it isn’t an issue and that I can remake their drink no problem. If they agree and tell me what’s wrong, then I’d remake the drink how they like it.

Question 10

What is your favorite drink at Starbucks?

Answer 10

So, I have two favorites. I really like the iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso. I also really like the iced matcha tea lattes, and I always ask for vanilla sweet cream cold foam on top. And let me tell you, it is so good.

Question 11

If we run out of a product or ingredient, how would you explain the situation to a customer?

Answer 11

If that were to happen before the purchase was made, then I would apologize, let them know what we were out of, then offer suggestions that were similar to what they originally wanted. If we ran out of a product or ingredient after the purchase was made, then I’d reach out to them, apologize, let them know what we ran out of, offer a refund, then offer similar suggestions if possible.

Question 12

Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you fix it?

Answer 12

I am constantly making mistakes when studying chemistry and calculus. It’s entirely unavoidable. Every time I do, though, I stop, evaluate the problem to figure out exactly where I went wrong, learn why what I did was wrong, and learn why the right answer is the right answer.

Question 13

If you saw a coworker take $1 out of the register and put it in their pocket, what would you do?

Answer 13

I would take note of the time that it happened and notify the shift lead or manager so as to avoid a bigger potential conflict.

Question 14

How would you define excellent customer service?

Answer 14

To me, excellent customer service is defined by treating your customers as if they were your friends. Because if you’re trying to build a connection with them, and you only have so much time with a customer, then I think there’s no better way to quickly build a connection with them than to treat them as if you’re already friends. That would include welcoming them in, saying “Have a nice day or night!” as they leave, trying to initiate small talk if possible, complimenting them if you can, asking them how their day was, never giving people attitude, and just always being cognizant of the fact that you are talking to a human being, not just “a customer”. Because when you label people as “customers” it creates a barrier between you and the person you’re helping, which is the opposite of what you’re trying to do.

Question 15

Which of your traits makes you best equipped to excel in this role?

Answer 15

I think that my dedication makes me best equipped because it allows me to do anything I set my mind to. For example, if I decide that I want to work with my team to achieve a common goal, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.

Question 16

How would you describe your teamwork skills?

Answer 16

I think they’re good. I work better in a team and enjoy collaborating with people to achieve a common goal. It’s very fulfilling to me to be able to listen to people’s ideas and be a reliable person in my team’s lives.

Question 17

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Answer 17

I’m very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. In fact, I do better working in a fast-paced environment.

Question 18

How would you handle conflict with coworkers?

Answer 18

I would take time to talk privately with the person I’m experiencing conflict with. I’d let them know that I don’t have any negative feelings toward them, and that I just want to listen to and understand what they have to say. Ideally, they’d be receptive and willing to listen to me too and we’d be able to resolve the conflict by working together.

Question 19

What are your hobbies?

Answer 19

I really value expressing myself in any way that I can. So, my hobbies include reading, writing, creating art, and playing music. There is something so special to me about being able to create something that is so intricately tied to who you are, even if you don’t really don’t know why yet.

Question 20

Explain why you excel at customer service.

Answer 20

Because I am dedicated to establishing a meaningful connection with the people who come in and genuinely care about their well being.

Question 21

What are your ambitions?

Answer 21

I’m incredibly ambitious about learning, fostering community, and self expression. I love learning about everything I possibly can, and it makes me so happy to know that I can learn about coffee and different people in the community while also fostering genuine connections with people in this area just by doing my job in a way that is unique to me.

Question 22

Tell me about a time you made someone’s day.

Answer 22

Last month I made all of the food for a New Year’s and Christmas dinner with my friends. It was so heartwarming seeing how happy everyone was while we ate and sat around the table talking and laughing. It was also nice receiving compliments about the food.

Question 23

What is a challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Answer 23

My entire life I’ve been severely anxious when put in new situations. My hands will be freezing, I’ll feel lightheaded, and like I can’t move or breathe. But, with time, I’ve learned that the only way to combat these feelings is to feel the fear and do it anyway, as cheesy as that sounds. Then, after I do what I’m afraid of once, then I can reason myself an infinite number of times by telling myself, “Hey, I did this already and I was just as afraid as I am now, so why can’t I just do it again?”

Question 24

Can you stay motivated in stressful, high volume times?

Answer 24

Yes I can. Staying motivated during stressful times hasn’t ever been a problem for me. If anything, it motivates me to keep going because there’s so much more work that needs to be done, and I can’t stop because if I do then the whole flow of everything gets thrown off or just entirely ruined.

Question 25

How well do you work with others?

Answer 25

I think I work very well with others. I love collaborating with people and merging our ideas, and it’s fulfilling for me to be able to work together to achieve a common goal.

Question 26

Tell me about yourself.

Answer 26

Well, I’m a leo. I really love to learn and read. I mostly gravitate toward subjects like philosophy, history, physics, and chemistry. I love music and have been playing the trombone for almost ten years, among a couple other instruments. I love people and nature infinitely. I think people are so interesting and just thinking of our relationship with the earth is enough to make me want to cry. Some of my core values are self-expression, introspection, connectedness, and integrity.

Question 27

What motivates you?

Answer 27

What motivates me is the thought that someone’s life could be made better by something I did.

Question 28

What do you know about Starbucks?

Answer 28

I know that Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle. I also know that the company is working to become resource positive, and that 99% of the coffee beans used are ethically sourced, which I think is really cool.

Question 29

Where do you see yourself in the upcoming five years?

Answer 29

In five years I’d like to be living in an apartment with my boyfriend, still learning as much as I can. Ideally I would have a job in green chemistry or still at a Starbucks wherever I’m living.

Question 30

What is your prior coffee experience?

Answer 30

None so far. But, I am a fast learner and I’m eager to learn all that I can about being a barista here.

Question 31

What is your experience working collaboratively?

Answer 31

I’ve been playing music in an ensemble for as long as I’ve been playing trombone. Through playing in an ensemble you get a really good sense of how to maintain the flow of things. For example, say someone is rushing, you can’t just follow their lead, you have to follow the lead of the conductor at all times or else you could mess up anyone who can hear you, and then the entire flow of the piece is ruined. In an ensemble, everyone has a job to do, and everyone has to do their job both diligently, expressively, and without saying a word to each other, and you’re playing music with upwards of forty people at once. Everyone is consistently working together to produce a beautiful piece of art.

Question 32

Tell me about your customer service experience at Starbucks.

Answer 32

It’s always been nothing short of amazing. Literally every starbucks I go into, the vibe is always the same. I’m always greeted warmly and treated with respect and kindness and the employees here never fail to improve my day.

Question 33

How would you connect with customers as a barista?

Answer 33

I would treat them as if we were already friends. So, I would welcome them in, try to start small talk if I can, I might compliment them, ask them how their day has been, tell them to “Have a nice day!”, if they’re regulars then I would remember their names and order, things like that.

Question 34

What excites you about being in a customer facing role?

Answer 34

I love creating meaningful connections with guests. And the ability to be in a position where I could make someone’s day at least a little bit better is very fulfilling to me.