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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164 Questions

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Last Answer on June 12, 2016

Best Rated

How come, no matter how often customers complain, Starbucks baristas fill the cup to the very top, thereby making it impossible for us to add milk?

Asked by KSlattelover over 13 years ago

It's easy to pour out the extra that you don't want into the trash can. We get more complaints if a cup is NOT filled all the way than if it is too full... it's easier for the customer to pour some out than it is to add more for a customer that wants it filled all the way. Although typically, saying "with room" tends to work pretty well.

How did you get hired? I submit applications and go and talk to the managers and they say they are not hiring or that they will call me back. They even ask me if I can leave my name and phone number. I do not know if they are just being nice or...

Asked by hanna about 13 years ago

I applied online and the store I selected had an opening for the night shift. The more flexible you are with your time, the easier it is to get hired. And usually when a manager says they're not hiring, they really aren't hiring. We only hired three times in the year that I was at my store (including me).

As a side note, my manager really disliked when people came into the store to follow up on their applications--this is personal though depending on the store and the store manager.

Do Starbuck's managers train new employees? How long? Do they train you on how to use the cash register?

Asked by hanna about 13 years ago

Yes. There is a program to train new employees and you will be trained on everything you need to know.

What is the minimum age requirement for becoming a barista? What are the likely chances that they will hire someone aged 15/16?

Asked by arielerobyn about 13 years ago

The minimum age is dependent on your states' work laws. The likelihood of a 15 or 16 year old being hired is probably pretty slim since you don't have a lot of prior work experience. Almost everyone I worked with was in university or university aged (or older).

I had an interview yesterday, I felt it went pretty good. But when the interviewer asked if I had any questions I asked about the benefits? Was that a bad idea or am I over-thinking things? Both of my roommates work at Starbucks so I know the company

Asked by Jason Pack almost 13 years ago

I think for Starbucks you are overthinking it. Really most Starbucks locations hire for fit and availability, and I doubt they'd reject you over asking about benefits.

What good questions to get you hired or at least make a good impression do you ask at the end of the interview when you are asked 'do you have questions for me?'

Asked by Hcamry about 13 years ago

Ask questions you are generally interested in. I have a huge interest in volunteerism and community--which Starbucks corporate is also big on--and brought that up with my manager. It turns out my manager donated the most time/coffee to non-profits in the district so that really resonated with her. I also asked about her experiences, favorite thing about Starbucks, etc. Do some research on the corporation and ask yourself what you really want to know about Starbucks.

But don't ask about money and hours, that's a conversation for after you are offered the job.

What are the minimum amount of hours that Starbucks will let you work? My schedule is very limited, but I really need a job!

Asked by lynn over 12 years ago

It depends on the store manager. For my store it was about 10 hours (a very senior person who had been with the company 20 years) but my guess is that most managers were prefer to invest their time and money in someone who is available around 15-20 hours.