How to apply for a job at Starbucks
With over 14,000 locations in the US, Starbucks is a beloved coffee company thanks to its delicious menu.
But it’s not only a great place to grab a cup of coffee — it’s also one of the best equal opportunity coffee shops to work at.
The company offers impressive perks and wages to its employees, making it a dream job for many people. While there are many job opportunities at Starbucks, it can be challenging to land a position.
Let’s take a look at how you can get a callback and land your dream job at Starbucks.
How to get a job at Starbucks?
Major coffee chain Starbucks had over 349,000 part-time and full-time employees in 2020. If you’re looking to join their ranks, take a look at the following tips.
Sending CV’s and cover letters
Head over to Starbucks’ Career Page and apply for the job of your choice. You’ll have to fill out an online application form, providing basic information about yourself and answering some questions.
This is also where you upload your resume and cover letter. While a cover letter isn’t mandatory, we recommend you upload one. It may give you an edge up over other candidates as it shows strong interest when you take the time to craft a unique cover letter for a position.
Highlight your past experiences that are relevant to your potential position at Starbucks. Take a look at the job description and include similar keywords.
Interviews
The Starbucks interview process typically goes by pretty quickly. Job seekers could be hired in as little as a week.
There are two main ways you’ll get an interview at Starbucks. The first is at a Starbucks jobs fair, which are company-sponsored job fairs where they plan to do a lot of screening interviews on site.
The main way, though, is through applying online. You’ll be contacted and eventually have your first interview with an assistant store manager. It will last up to an hour, and they’ll typically ask you questions related to your work history and strengths and weaknesses.
There may also be a second interview where you’re asked similar questions, but this time by the store manager.
Skills Tests and Assessments
Depending on the position you’re applying for, there will be different skills tests required of you.
A barista will likely complete a virtual job tryout, where they answer questions pertaining to how you would handle specific situations. Expect to be asked things like, “if a customer asked for a lemon scone but we were out, how would you handle it?”
Candidates may also do a similar skill test in person, depending on the store.
Final calls
If you’re called back for a second interview, you’ll be interviewing with the store manager.
You’ll be asked similar questions, but they may focus more on situations rather than your background. Use this opportunity to not only impress the store manager but to ask questions about the position and the company.
If you succeed here, they could offer you the job on the spot.
What is expected of a Starbucks employee?
Working at Starbucks requires a particular set of skills. Here are a few things every Starbucks employee must excel at.
1. Strong communication skills
Like any customer service job, you’ll spend a lot of time interacting with customers. You’re expected to have excellent communication skills in order to provide the customer service customers expect.
If you’ve been to a busy Starbucks recently, you’ll know how important it is that each employee fulfills their role well. It’s like a well-oiled machine, and you’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with team members to keep it running smoothly.
2. Ability to work under pressure
When stores get busy, there’s a lot of pressure, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You’ll need to be able to prioritize tasks and not shut down in stressful situations.
At times, you may be working on multiple drinks at the same time. And if you have a long lineup, it might not slow down for hours.
3. Attention to detail
A barista needs to have an eye for detail. There is a lot that goes into working at Starbucks, as you have to memorize drink recipes, abbreviations written on cups, food orders, and call out names.
Add custom drink orders on top of that, and you could have a handful of things going on at any one time. Attention to detail is crucial to be a successful barista.
4. Ability to multitask
As mentioned, you’ll need to pay attention to detail. This is doubly important as you’ll be multitasking almost all of the time.
If you’re making drinks, you’ll be making more than one a lot of the time, plus handing off drinks to customers.
Cashiers are taking orders and filling them out on cups, having conversations with customers, taking cash, and often fulfilling food orders at the same time.
5. Teamwork
Starbucks’ partners work on teams. You’re likely to have at least one other barista in the store with you at all times.
Because you work so closely together, you must be comfortable working as a team.
Potential interview questions at Starbucks
Like any job, it’s important to prepare for your job interview. Here are five common questions you should be prepared to answer:
Why do you want to work at Starbucks?
How do you handle stressful situations?
How would you approach an issue where a customer says their drink is wrong?
What is good customer service to you?
How would you tell a customer that we’ve run out of a certain item or ingredient?
6 final tips to get the job
Here are six more tips to help you land a job at Starbucks:
1. Address the hiring manager directly in your cover letter
If you’re applying to a specific store, it can pay off to try to find out who the store manager or hiring manager is. You can use this information and address them directly in your cover letter.
To find this out, you can give LinkedIn a shot. Otherwise, you could call the store directly and ask.
2. Practice answering interview questions
It’ll be worth it to practice answering common interview questions as well as situation-based questions specific to Starbucks. You’ll be more comfortable answering questions during the interview, and your confidence will show.
Many people like to record themselves answering questions to examine their body language as well.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Starbucks menu
If you want to work at Starbucks, you should have some idea of what’s on the menu. You’re going to have to memorize it if you do get hired, so give yourself a leg up.
During the interview process, you’ll likely be asked what your favorite drink is at some point. Prepare an answer that shows your knowledge of their offerings.
4. Tailor your resume to the job
Like any job application, a tailored resume is more likely to get you a callback. You’re applying to Starbucks, so highlight relevant experience. If you’ve worked at a coffee shop or have previous customer service experience, make sure it’s there.
5. Visit the store in person
While most Starbucks locations want you to apply online, you can’t go wrong with visiting a store as well. Shoot out your online application before driving down to the location and handing a physical copy of your resume as well.
This shows real initiative and may help get you an interview.
6. Dress appropriately for the interview
Dressing well for the interview is a sign that you’re taking the job seriously. It shows professionalism and that you care about the interviewer's time and the outcome.
Men should wear a button-up shirt and a pair of dark slacks or something similar, while women should consider a blouse paired with some pants.
Open positions at Starbucks
Starbucks does a lot of hiring for a lot of different positions. Here are just a few of those.
Barista
The average hourly wage for a barista is around $12 an hour. However, full-time baristas are offered benefits like healthcare as well as stock in the company.
Shift supervisor
The average hourly wage for a shift supervisor at Starbucks is around $17 an hour. You’ll also get benefits and stock options.
Shift supervisors generally have experience working as a barista or in a similar supervisory role.
Store manager
A Starbucks store manager makes around $28 an hour, with full benefits, stock options, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Keep in mind that the store manager position requires more comprehensive interviews with a district manager.
Land a job at Starbucks with these tips
You now know everything you need to know to land yourself a job at Starbucks.
The key takeaway is to prepare as much as you can beforehand. Use a cover letter to guarantee an initial interview, and show confidence in your answers during it.
For more job search tips, visit the Jobcase Getting Hired Resource Center.