Starbucks Barista Job Description & Interview
Job Description and Duties
What Does a Starbucks Barista Do?
Starbucks baristas perform multiple job duties and provide excellent customer service. Baristas at Starbucks take orders at the counter and drive-thru and make coffee, tea, and other drinks to customer specifications. Other Starbucks barista duties may also include operating cash registers and credit card machines.
Additional Starbucks Barista Duties
Some additional Starbucks barista responsibilities concern fielding customer complaints or questions. Baristas at Starbucks also must clean coffee machines, eating areas, restrooms, and preparation areas during a normal shift. Baristas work to maintain good customer relations and speedy delivery of all beverages, as well as complete assigned tasks from management every day.
What Are the Requirements to Be a Starbucks Barista?
To fulfill all of the duties outlined by the Starbucks barista job description, prospective employees should be at least 16 years old, have a flexible work schedule, be able to remain on their feet for the duration of a shift, and carry items and merchandise up to 40 pounds.
Salary and Compensation
How Much is a Starbucks Barista Paid?
If you’re wondering “What do Starbucks baristas make?” most of these workers enjoy competitive wages and a variety of employment benefits. Starbucks barista pay typically averages $13.00 per hour, depending on experience and location.
Other Benefits
Baristas may also take advantage of several Starbucks job benefits, such as free drinks and coffee beans. Qualified Starbucks barista jobs receive health benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Eligible baristas at Starbucks may also enjoy 401(k) retirement programs and paid vacation time.
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Starbucks Barista Trainer Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Barista Trainer: So for the majority of my time at Starbucks, I was a barista. Now at the end, for the last like two months or so, I was promoted to be a barista trainer. Primarily, in my experience, what they did at Starbucks was they took where you were the most comfortable, so if when you went in and did your training, the training was like a two or three week long process. It was a long training process and they judged where you were kind of the best. So if you were immediately really good at making the drinks, kind of the rest of your time at Starbucks is going to be sitting on that bar making the drinks. I shined out specifically with my communication skills, so they immediately put me on the front register and then when our store got a drive through, I worked primarily on the drive through.
So there’s more than just making coffee as your job, there’s all sorts of different positions there. Basically everyone who starts there starts as a barista. I believe that they do seasonal as well, but I’m not 100% positive on that. But within the barista position, there’s multiple different positions that you could be working. You could be working the main bar, you can be working the cafe bar, drive through, drive through window. They have front register and a support team. So support is kind of you’re cleaning the store, you’re working on that and you’re working on inventory. Whereas the drive through, you’re communicating with guests, your job is to upsell. And if you’re on the bar, speed is key.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Starbucks Barista Trainer: So I had applied online, it was an online application. It was fairly simple, fairly straight forward. They called me about a week later. They were pretty quick about it. And they had me go to a hiring event because if you’re applying in the fall time, that’s when they do a lot of hiring, bulk hiring. So they had me go to a hiring event where I sat down in front of a single store manager, did an interview and then they basically just told me from then, “You’re starting here with this store manager. This is your start date.”
I know for other people that was a very different experience. I was brought in specifically because of the hiring event. For people doing the normal application process, it takes on average I was hearing from coworkers about two to three weeks to hear back. And there’s a series of interviews where you’re interviewing with the store manager, the district manager, and then they place you in the store.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Barista Trainer: Their questions were much more past experience based, much more personality based. Starbucks is not looking for someone who knows how to make every single drink and can identify coffee by smell. They don’t need that. That’s something that can all be learned. They’re definitely looking for a personality, 100%. So they’re looking to make sure that you can go in there and deliver the core values that they have, which is service with a smile. They want you to be as happy and upbeat as they can possibly have you be. They did ask a lot of questions also focusing on like managerial experience just to make sure that you could work as a team. I mean it’s a team environment, very rarely are you doing something independently, everyone kind of works off of each other.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Starbucks Barista Trainer: I was notified day of, day of my interview. Again, that was probably because it was a hiring event. They said that I just shined out a little bit more, especially because at the time that I had applied I was already a manager at a different job. But for the most part, again from stories I heard and actually I dated a coworker, her experience was a little bit different. It took her about another week after her interview before they gave her a phone call. It was the store manager who said, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know you got the job. Everything went through okay. Are you able to start Friday?” And I think she got called on like a Tuesday, so it only took a couple of days to really get her in.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista Trainer: Starbucks ultimately was a fun job. I am still actually friends with a lot of people who I used to work with there and a lot of customers. I mean you build a lot of connections there, especially depending on where you work. I worked in an area where there were a lot of business people, so it actually helped me get a job after Starbucks. I met an HR consultant who helped me get another job, which was fantastic. But if you are someone who really can’t handle drama and can not handle a fast paced environment, it’s not a job for you. Starbucks expects an entire order through the drive through, regardless of the size, to be out in about 40 seconds. So if you can not operate in super fast environments and you don’t work well with a team, it’s not a job for you.
Starbucks Barista Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties?
Starbucks Barista: At Starbucks I am a barista and my primary duties are to make drinks, serve customers, and also stock in the back, clean out the dishes and stuff like that. Take out the trash.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Starbucks Barista: Really fast paced, really busy. I would say it can be a fun environment, it could also be stressful depending on the day.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Starbucks Barista: Probably in the morning. Morning people are happier, so making drinks and serving in the morning is the best part of the job to me.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Starbucks Barista: It wasn’t really that long, that tedious at all. It was just simple. Name, previous … Do you have any previous work experience? You don’t need really, any work experience at all to start there. It’s a first time kind of, part-time job. It’s not really super hard to get in.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Barista: “Have I ever worked in a fast paced environment?” “How do I think I can work in a fast paced environment?” “Do I work better in a team or how well can I work independently?” Things like that. Yeah.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Starbucks Barista: They let me know by phone. Everything was by phone and I really like email. And I would say just a few days.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Starbucks Barista: They already knew me, so I already had … They knew I had experience working with people, working with … Dealing with customers and probably because also I always … I never miss work really, and I never was a call off person, very timely.
So, I think … Very dependable is the word I’m looking for. They needed people like that at the Starbucks, because the turnover rate is very high, because it can be very stressful.
And so, they needed people who they know or they thought would last.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista: Get used to working in a fast paced work environment. Take your time to learn new drinks. Don’t overwhelm yourself. I think that’s it.
Starbucks Barista Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Barista: I am a barista, so we focus highly on customer support and service. I ring people out, make the drinks, and also cleaning dishes.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Starbucks Barista: It’s very positive and uplifting. Everyone’s so helpful. They’re always there for each other. Like I said, we focus highly on customer support, so during your training it’s teaching us the steps into helping customers and getting them through the line in the whole process, and making sure they have a positive time while at Starbucks.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Starbucks Barista: We get free drinks.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Starbucks Barista: Yeah, so we start with, since it’s on campus, it’s Aramark. So when you apply, you’re actually put into kind of a giant fishbowl with all of the different things on campus. So when you’re selected for Starbucks, you come in, sit, they ask you what other types of jobs you have compared to Starbucks, why you think you’re good for the job, how you can, what’s the word I’m looking for, be good for the team, and what benefits you can bring.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Starbucks Barista: About a week, and it was by phone call from my supervisor.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista: The training in the beginning can be stressful and rough, just because coming from a person who drinks no coffee.,I had to learn everything from the start about coffee. But once you get the hang of it, it’s an amazing job and I love the work environment. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.
Starbucks Barista Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Barista: I was a barista at Starbucks, and my job duties were to provide excellent customer service while making hand-crafted, quality beverages.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Starbucks Barista: It’s a busy job for customer service, obviously. The fellow employees… it’s a fairly fun job, fun atmosphere. Not a whole lot of pressure or anything.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Starbucks Barista: I think my favorite part is just probably interacting with coworkers, and obviously it’s not a very demanding job, so you can walk in there and have fun, no matter what’s going on in the day, or in your life or whatever. So, it’s a fairly simplistic job. It’s a good time.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Starbucks Barista: You come on shift, and it’s kind of as the customer demands and stuff. There’s a long line, you can be jumping in and rotating somebody off bar or jumping on the cash register – maybe just doing whatever’s needed in the moment. If it’s a fairly slow day, you could just be walking in, maybe help getting the store restocked, set up for the next rush.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Starbucks Barista: I actually went through two application processes the first time I worked with them. It was a fairly structured interview. The store manager sat down with me – I filled out a written application – she sat down with me and basically asked me very structured questions, and the second time I applied with them to work was an online application, which was pretty difficult for me to follow, and I didn’t enjoy it at all.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Barista: There are a lot of questions about conflict resolution, from what I can remember, structured in the sense that you deal with a difficult customer or maybe an angry coworker or something like that. So, very structured questions just to see how you respond to different scenarios and situations.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Starbucks Barista: I think I came in very well-prepared, obviously researched the job and what they’re requiring of me. Well-dressed… just came in very professional and tried to represent myself in the best way possible. So, I hope that’s what set me apart.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista: Go in with a big personality. I think that wins most people, especially in a job like Starbucks, where it’s just strictly based on customer service and your willingness to adapt to others. Go in with a big personality and have fun with it. I think that’s really what the corporation looks for.
Starbucks Barista Interview Video 2
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Barista: I would work the cashier, mix the drinks up sometimes, sweep around, just the basic duties.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Starbucks Barista: The application, it was just online. I applied for the application online. I mean, I submitted my application online. I think I got a call maybe three weeks, a month-ish. I think I came in there; I was dressed business formal. I just came in there… at that time, the person who did interview me was a manager, so he just asked me why I wanted to work at Starbucks. He asked me typical job interview questions – “Can I have some of your references? What happened at your last job? Is this job for paying bills, or do you just want some extra money?” Basic questions like that.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Barista: They definitely – I don’t know why – but they asked me if I was ever a bartender before. They definitely asked me that. I said, “I’m not even 21 yet.” But, they asked me just about the general knowledge of what to do, am I able to keep up a routine, because they said it’s more of a set, like every day, set schedule of what you’re going to do. He asked me am I person that likes changes, or do I want a continuous, steady thing where every day I’m going to do the same thing from 9 to 5.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista: I would tell them, honestly tell them that it’s going to be hectic, especially hectic in the morning. You honestly won’t get to sit down a lot. You’re constantly going to be moving, it’s constantly going to be hectic in the mornings. I would suggest that they really get friendly with their coworkers, because if not it’s going to be lonely shifts, and just have interactions with your coworkers to make the shift go along better. Of course, you always want to have a good relationship with your manager. Just obvious stuff. Have patience with some customers, because some customers, you give them something and, “This is too cold,” or something like that, “This is too warm,” something like that. But, just have patience with the customers, just provide good customer service.
Starbucks Barista/Cashier Interview Video 3
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Cashier: I basically was a barista and a cashier. They interchange depending on what’s going on that day. Just make people lattes and take all their money. Clean up a little bit.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Starbucks Cashier: It was pretty laidback. I went out to the lobby and got a free cup of coffee. We just sat there. Asked basically what my work experience was and things like that.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Cashier: Actually, I also got hired at Starbucks twice. One of the times was a job fair, and they asked really interesting questions, like they would describe a scenario, and I would have to say how I would react. It wouldn’t necessarily relate to coffee or Starbucks or anything like that. Like if you had this thing happen to you, how would you react. The typical one where I was in the lobby and spoke to the manager, nothing too out of the ordinary. Maybe a question where, “Why do you want to work here? Why would you want to work in a coffee shop?”
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Cashier: I would say just in your interview, dress nicely, but I think what’s big is your attitude and your level of confidence. And they want somebody who’s excited and somebody who is going to be upbeat all the time. So, if you can show that in an interview, that’s what’s going to set you apart.
Starbucks Barista Interview Video 4
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Starbucks Barista: Well, I was a barista. Once you become a barista, basically we go out to make all of the Starbucks drinks. We do stuff like make the concentrates; it would be taking these packets and mixing them up in batches, like pre-coffee. When they would pour it into the frappucino. It wasn’t like just making it on the spot, like you would have some ready. You’re allowed to know more, and there would be eight cups of coffee. Another thing a barista had to do was set timers on the coffee pots, and they’re only supposed to last 30 minutes, then we have to make a new one. That was company policy, at least when I worked there. So you would really have to watch that and make sure as soon as that after that 30 seconds, full or not, you make another one. It was really precise. Another thing about being a barista is make sure all your measurements are perfect, the drinks are consistent. Three scoops of mint, three scoops of mint. 10 ounces equals 10 ounces. At the end of the night, you have to tally everything, stuff like that.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Starbucks Barista: Application was pretty standard: it was pretty much one piece of paper. Interview… I got drug tested I remember. I went in with a manager one time and was hired on the spot. The training was probably about two weeks. It’s a certified test from the top at the head office. You can’t fail it, pretty much. The training was pretty rough, and the test was pretty difficult.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Starbucks Barista: They wanted to know how you work with customers. Obviously that’s pretty much all that job is, face to face. They wanted to know how well you were with process of elimination and being able to do things, because if it was really backed up, do you do something easy or do something hard? How do you help the guy next to you to get these drinks out the fastest? A lot of things like that. They’re really strict about the cash register, because there can’t be any mistakes. They tell you to be super careful what you punched in, making sure you gave correct change back. So, be precise.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Starbucks Barista: The advice I would give is to be overly positive, to assure them you can handle any situation that you’re in, and tell them that you’re a people person, and that you’re going to bring business in. These people that come through to get this drink, they remember you so well that they buy this drink again, because you’re so friendly, where they’re, “I’m going to Starbucks, not Caribou, because I remember that one kid, super nice guy that made my drink for me,” and you write something special on there. Being personal and being friendly with the customers, because the customer is always right.
