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Interested in learning how to get a job at Starbucks? Hoping to find a challenging and rewarding career path in the hospitality and food/beverage industry?
This article will give you a solid breakdown of the coffee conglomerate’s company benefits, how to handle the interview process, resume tips, and much more.
By the end, you will have a solid understanding of everything required to land yourself a job at one of the country’s largest employers.
An Overview of Starbucks
Career Opportunities at Starbucks
Getting a job at Starbucks is a great way to grow your career, especially if you intend to pursue a career in F&B. There are many different types of positions available at any given time within the company––what you choose to apply for is up to you.
Here are some of the most popular roles at the consumer-facing level:
Barista
| Country | Average Monthly Salary of Starbucks Baristas |
| United States | USD 2,903 |
| United Kingdom | GBP 1,714 (Hourly: £9.82) |
| Australia | AUD 4,235 (Hourly: $24.43) |
| Singapore | SGD 1,464 (Hourly: $8.40) |
| Malaysia | RM1,673 |
| Philippines | PHP 14,796 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 2,686 |
One of the most valued and important hospitality jobs in the country, baristas are an essential part of the entire Starbucks organization. Firstly, they are responsible for creating a welcoming and positive environment for customers while delivering exceptional customer service.
The job itself requires a range of skills, including preparing and serving various coffee beverages, taking customer orders accurately, and maintaining cleanliness standards to ensure the highest level of hygiene all while juggling multiple orders––multitasking is key. Baristas must also possess strong listening and communication skills to address any customer concerns or questions.
They are required to know the entire menu to provide appropriate recommendations based on individual preferences and be highly skilled in operating espresso machines and other equipment necessary.
Shift Supervisor
| Country | Average Monthly Salary of Starbucks Shift Supervisor |
| United States | USD 3,312 (Annual: $39,745) |
| United Kingdom | GBP 1,947 (Hourly: £11.15) |
| Australia | AUD 4,025 (Annual: $48,300) |
| Singapore | SGD 1,875 |
| Malaysia | MYR 2,200 |
| Philippines | PHP 20,296 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 15,250 |
Another important role at Starbucks is shift supervisor––these players are crucial in maintaining the smooth operations of the store.
Typical responsibilities include overseeing and managing the floor during scheduled shifts, which involves leading and coaching a team of Baristas, ensuring exceptional customer service standards are met, and guaranteeing that all Starbucks policies and procedures are followed.
Shift supervisors are also responsible for organizing work schedules, assigning tasks and responsibilities to team members, monitoring inventory levels, and effectively communicating with the Store Manager regarding any issues or concerns.
Store Manager
Working as a store manager at Starbucks involves a great deal of responsibility. With a dedicated focus on delivering the Starbucks Experience, store managers must possess strong leadership skills to motivate and drive their team toward excellence.
They are responsible for effectively managing a team, hiring and training new employees, ensuring exceptional customer service, and maintaining financial goals set by the company. Store managers also analyze sales data to identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to increase revenue.
What’s more, being a skilled communicator is vital as they collaborate with district managers, regional directors, and other key stakeholders to ensure consistent execution of Starbucks standards across different locations.
Where Can I Find Starbucks Job Opportunities?
Starbucks is one of the few remaining businesses operating today where you can simply walk into a location and apply for a job (although try waiting for non-peak hours to ensure you get the store manager’s full attention).
Or, if you’d rather wow the team with an expertly worded resume and cover letter, you can check out their comprehensive careers page.
Online job boards like GrabJobs are also an ideal source for monitoring job openings at Starbucks.
The Starbucks Job Application & Interview Process
As mentioned above, landing a job at Starbucks is trickier than you might think. It’s not as simple as being able to pour a great cup of coffee.
Applicants undergo multiple interviews, where they are assessed on their ability to handle various scenarios and showcase the brand’s values. Here are the steps you can expect to follow when applying for a job at Starbucks:
Step 1. Research the company culture. Always a good idea. One of the best ways to get a sense of Starbucks’ company culture is to go into a store location (preferably the one you plan to work in) during peak hours and just observe how the team members––baristas, shift supervisors, store managers––interact with one another during the busy periods. Can you see yourself working effectively with these members? Additionally, before applying, read up on the company’s culture and values page.
Step 2. Create a profile. When looking for roles on Starbucks’ website, before you can apply to any position you need to create a Career Center login. With a visible profile, you can upload a resume and cover letter and include additional info for prospective hiring managers to read.
Step 3. Apply. With your Starbucks profile created you’ll next want to apply for your preferred job. The careers page lets you search for retail job openings based on job titles, keywords, location, and even store number.
Step 4. Phone Interview. If your online application is successful, you’ll get a call from Starbucks’ HR department to conduct a 30-minute phone interview. This usually involves basic personality and work history questions––no heavy grilling, it’s mostly light and fluffy.
Step 5. Starbucks Virtual Job Tryout. Following a successful phone interview, you’ll be sent a Virtual Job Tryout assessment, consisting mainly of judgment questions designed to get a sense of how you would handle various in-store situations.
Step 6. Onsite interview. The final stage will be an in-person interview, which can last anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. Many of the questions listed below will likely be asked during this session, but you can still expect things to be kept relaxed and conversational. After this, if all is successful, you’ll receive a call inviting you to join the Starbucks team!
Common Starbucks Interview Questions:
- Have you ever disagreed with a work colleague? How did you resolve the situation?
- Are you comfortable working in a small space with as many as six co-workers at a time?
- Why should we hire you?
- How long do you wish to work at Starbucks?
- What would you do if you were late for a shift?
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at Starbucks?
Contrary to what you might think, landing a job at Starbucks is not an easy feat given the company’s highly competitive hiring process.
With its commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining high standards, Starbucks carefully selects candidates with specific qualities and skills.
The company tends to look for those who are passionate about coffee, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment. Starbucks also values team players who exhibit professionalism and a positive attitude.
While previous experience in the service industry may be helpful, Starbucks also considers applicants with limited experience but immense potential to grow within the company.
Resume and Cover Letter Tips for a Job at Starbucks
If you are applying for a barista job at Starbucks and your preferred method of application is to reach out in person at a store location, you have the advantage of meeting with a store manager face to face as you share with them your resume and cover letter.
Be concise with these documents and instead use your words to communicate why you want to work at the store level and what relevant experience you can bring. Be friendly, personable, and accommodating in order to stand out.
For those applying via the company website, the same resume rules apply: include only relevant work examples, expand, where possible, on successful past histories of food/beverage service, and get to the point in your cover letter––like many other major corporations,
Starbucks gets a lot of applications so the shorter your communication, the more likely your documents will get read.
What are the Employee Benefits and Perks at Starbucks?
Starbucks offers its employees some of the greatest benefits and perks in the business. From comprehensive health coverage to flexible work schedules––whether at the retail or corporate level. If you are applying for any position, these are some of the advantages that you can expect as a full-time employee.
> Personal Time Off dates––including paid vacation days, paid holidays, and partner/family sick time.
> Health insurance coverage––this includes medical, dental, vision plans, and dependent care reimbursement; plus, life insurance accident and disability coverage.
> Stocks and retirement plan––a competitive 401(k) plan as well as discounted company stock options.
> Parental leave––employees with new children can receive pay replacement and time off; also, new adoptees or surrogate parents may be eligible for up to $10,000 reimbursement.
How to Get a Job at Starbucks: Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions that weren’t covered above? Here are some additional common FAQs about the ins and outs of working for Starbucks.
What is Starbucks looking for in an employee?
Starbucks tends to look for individuals who are passionate about creating meaningful connections with customers while upholding the company’s guiding principles of integrity, respect, and inclusiveness. A strong work ethic, positive attitude, and excellent communication skills are highly valued qualities that store managers are looking for, not to mention candidates who possess a solid aptitude for teamwork and adaptability, as well as an ability to handle fast-paced environments effectively.
What should I do if Starbucks doesn’t hire me?
As with any job application process, if Starbucks doesn’t hire you, it is essential to remain professional and proactive in your response to the hiring manager. Start by reflecting on your interview and consider any areas that may require improvement for future opportunities. Ask for feedback from the interviewer, as their insights can help shape your future job search strategy. Then, explore other coffee shops or similar organizations that align with your career goals and values, as they may offer similar experiences and opportunities for growth.
What kind of work culture can I expect at Starbucks?
Prospective employees can expect a vibrant and dynamic work culture that emphasizes teamwork, diversity, and individual growth. Starbucks is known for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment (at all levels of the business) where employees feel valued and supported. The company promotes open communication to ensure all voices are heard, encouraging collaboration to drive innovation and improvement. It also offers opportunities for personal development through training programs and various career paths within the organization.
