Face-to-Face Interviews
Whether interviewing for a barista job or management position at Peet's Coffee and Tea, applicants can usually expect to finish after no more than two rounds of one-on-one interviews. Hiring managers normally get in touch with qualified candidates by phone to set up a face-to-face interview at the appropriate coffeehouse location.
Phone Screening
Functioning as a pre-interview screening in some cases, the phone call may include questions like, "Why do you want to work at Peet's specifically?", in addition to confirming the details of the in-person interview. Job seekers often wait about a week after applying for the position before first hearing back from hiring personnel.
What to Expect From the Interview Process
Frequently held in a discreet corner of the coffee shop, interviews test the coffee knowledge and customer service skills of applicants. The company wants to make sure interviewees have the sociable, collaborative personality required to work in the coffee retail industry by asking questions like:
- "How would you handle an angry customer?"
- "What would you do if you had a problem with another associate?"
Managerial Interviews
Prospective managers must often respond to interview questions discussing the employee development processes and personal management styles, such as:
- "How would you manage an underperforming barista?"
Making a Good Impression
Applicants should arrive at interviews ready to project an attitude of sincerity and warmth. The hiring manager wants to know that interviewees have the right temperament for teamwork and the commitment to serving the devoted following of customers. When appropriate, respond to interview questions by highlighting specific examples of cooperating with others to reach a goal or going to great lengths to achieve customer satisfaction.
How to Get a Job at Peet's Coffee and Tea
Maintain an approachable disposition during the interview, address the hiring manager directly and smile regularly, and contact the coffee shop a couple days after the interview to reiterate interest in the job and clarify any concerns possibly diminishing your candidacy. From submitting the required forms for employment to accepting a formal job offer, the Peet's Coffee and Tea hiring process continues for a total of about two weeks on average.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Barista Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: I as a barista, so I was mostly responsible for working at the register and making drinks.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: At any shift, you have like a manager or a shift lead and then a couple retail associates, and depending on how relaxed they were or how stressed they were that day, your work environment varied.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: The perks. Getting free coffee every week was awesome.
Interviewer: Did you get any benefits or other job perks?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: I always worked there as a student, so I didn’t need to use the healthcare packages and stuff, although my coworkers told me that they were good. And it’s a fun job. You know, when you worked with fun people, it was a really fun job.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: Depending on what kind of shift you were there for – if you were there for morning shift, like morning shift is really like 4:30 in the morning, and you’d get in and you’d fill up the pastry case, and then you just grind coffee, grind coffee, grind coffee until about like 7 o’clock. Then, you meet customers and help them out, and then there will be rushes until about 10.
In the evening, if you’re working like an afternoon or closing shift, there is a lot less face-to-face interaction and a lot more mopping and cleaning up the machines and getting ready the whole store ready for the morning.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: The application process was pretty short. I asked for an application, and they gave me one. I filled it out at the store and handed back in. We get a lot of applications, so when I was applying, I called the manager the next day to re-explain like, “I love this job. I’d love to do it.” They brought me for an interview, and the interview was casual.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: They asked me if I was a coffee drinker and to talk about my favorite coffee product. I can’t remember if they asked me to sell something. I think they asked me to describe a drink. They asked you questions, like how do you feel about customer service, what do you know about Peet’s, what would you do in a stressful situation, that kind of question.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Peet’s Coffee & Tea Employee: I would have them prepare to work hard. It can get really busy, and it can be really exhausting. I would tell them to learn how to be in four places at once, and to anticipate needs, and really get to know your managers quickly and figure out what they need, so that you can be their right-hand man.
