Starbucks Barista

Starbucks Barista

Green Siren

Central, TX

Female, 26

After working all day in a cubicle, I'd spend my nights as your friendly, neighborhood Starbucks barista! I remembered your name, made each drink exactly to your specifications and did it all with a bright smile. I've served celebrities, worked both drive thru & cafe stores, worked every holiday and have kept the customers from knowing about all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes... until now. Ask me anything.

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Last Answer on June 12, 2016

Best Rated

I love Green Tea Frappucino but I always find it too sweet. I asked the barista for 2 pumps of the syrup and/or 2 scoops of the matcha only to lessen the sweetness. What's the right and best way to order it? Thanks!

Asked by Vincent over 9 years ago

Order with "no classic" to make it without any simple syrup (sugar). The matcha will have no impact on sweetness.

during barista training, how did they train you to use the POS/point of sale system at the cashier?

Asked by lou about 10 years ago

Yes, they will train you. Your training manager (probably shift manager) will teach you what the buttons are for and when to push them, like any POS system. Practice will make you faster.

I told Starbucks I could start at a certain day but a personal matter has just come up the same day. I just sent in my application & said I could start the very next week. Is this a likely conflict?

Asked by NYC Dreamer about 11 years ago

It shouldn’t matter. If Starbucks manages to hire you within a week after you sent in the application, I’ll be impressed. My store manager hired me a within about a month and I had a weekend holiday planned two days after my start date. I told my manager when I accepted the job and it wasn’t a big deal at all.

Hi! I've been hired as a Starbucks Barista and I have this awful feeling that I am not being trained to corporate standards. Could you please explain how the program is supposed to work? Thanks!

Asked by Jo almost 11 years ago

There is a training manual that explains everything, you could ask your shift manager or store manager (whomever you trust more) if you want to look at it. There is also a book of all the drinks and how to make them that you can study on your break times. Almost all stores should have copies of these.

I went through the training about 3 years ago and to be honest, I don't remember all the details. It's not like a 2 weeks intensive program, it's a day of "here's how you make cold drinks" and then you practice. Then a day of "here's how you work the register" and then you practice. Basically they will show you how corporate wants things done and after some oversight, its up to you to learn how to do it. At the end of the 2 weeks, you manager will watch you for about 15 minutes on bar and 15 minutes on register to see if you do things correctly, and if not, they will retrain you.

You can also call corporate if you feel you aren't being properly trained and talk to them. I think there's a partner complaint line that should be in your hiring documents.

Does starbucks use tazo or teavana brewed teas for Shaken Iced Teas? Also, what are the specific flavors of Black and Green tea you use?

Asked by nb almost 10 years ago

When I was there in 2012, we used Tazo. I am unsure of the specifics. I assume nothing has changed but you would have to ask Starbucks to confirm.

For training, should I bring anything? A notepad and a pen maybe? Or would that be weird and unnecessary? Also, should I wear business casual to training? Or would I already have a uniform by that point?

Asked by Emily over 10 years ago

A small notepad and pen that would fit in your apron or a pocket would be fine. The guy who trained with me had one and it wasn't a problem.

And you should already have a uniform when you start training! Definitely not business casual because you will be behind the counter.

I would like to know about the pay. What do Baristas start at? Shift Managers, and assistant managers? I live in California.

Asked by Sam over 9 years ago

I have never lived and worked in California. Furthermore, this is HIGHLY dependent on where you live, what the minimum wage is, and other things that may come into effect. Where I lived, baristas were paid 25 cents above the federal minimum hourly wage.