<p>I’m interviewing at my local Starbucks this Friday. It’s my first job interview, and I’ve no idea what to expect. What sort of questions will they ask? Is there anything specific I should keep in mind? </p>
<p>All advice is, as always, much appreciated.</p>
<p><currently sitting=“” in=“” starbucks=“” as=“” i=“” type=“”>
Some random, but I hope helpful, thoughts.</currently></p>
<p>What they are trying to figure out is will you fit into their shop. Eagerness to learn, willingness to pitch in, and a friendly manner seem to be what they are looking for … also a willingness to adhere to their rules and systems. They will also look for a certain level of flexibility and committment to the job.</p>
<p>I think this is what all of us employers look for as we hire for entry level spots. If you are only available for Tuesday from 3-6 and Saturday from 10-2 – that’s not going to be helpful to the hiring manager. One thing I stress is that a job is an <em>employment opportunity</em> and not an allowance program. If I didn’t NEED employees, I’d be able to keep all that payroll money for myself. If I am going to pay you to do a job, I need you to DO the job.</p>
<p>Make a committment to be available when they need you (within the confines of a parttime after school job of course) and don’t put too many restrictions on when you can work. </p>
<p>I am about to lose a girl who was working Friday 3-6 and Sunday 10-5, but has been needing half the Sundays off and now all the Fridays. She would like to pick up a different weekday but those slots are full …</p>
<p>cnp55,</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Except for one weekend every two or three months (layout weekend for the school paper) most of my ECs are relatively flexible, or can be worked around. I’d basically be available between 4-8 on weekdays, 10-6 Saturdays, and 1-6 Sundays (in addition to other ECs, I’m in the IB Diploma program which takes a fair amount of time). I don’t think I could work more than 4 days per week, though. Does that sound reasonable?</p>
<p>I don’t know exactly what Starbucks is looking for – my shop is next to theirs, but I hire entirely different types of kids!</p>
<p>That said – I don’t like to hire teens to work more than 15-20 hrs a week (because they simply cannot do it!). Currently, my group of teens works 2 afternoons 3-6 and one weekend day 10-6. My goal is to develop these kids into competent, confident sales associates that can open the store, close the store, and sell everything in the store. Then they leave me for college (boo hoo! I love these smart bright ones but I know they have to go to college). They’re back for summers and Christmas and some vacations. I’m proud of “my girls” and my “alumni” and I hire kids who have career ambitions in our field. </p>
<p>Starbucks in my plaza tends to start kids slowly. Grab whatever hours they can give you – which might be Sunday evenings or Saturday evenings and not too many right at the beginning. Once you get a little experience with their crews and show some flexiblity, they tend to put you on the schedule for more hours. </p>
<p>The new hires tend to have the least popular shifts – if you <em>really</em> want a job, be willing to work them. Once you are in the door and on the schedule you’ll get a chance to move up in status.</p>
<p>Random thought:</p>
<p>If you are being hired to serve $4 coffee, you should be professional - in attire, manner, and dress. Not that you have to arrive in a suit (nor should you!), but Starbucks is selling more than coffee. It’s more upscale than your average ice cream store, so be aware that they are also looking for people who fit that image. Hard to imagine yuppies in suits wanting to shell out $6 for coffee and a scone from a girl who has purple hair and a nose ring. </p>
<p>Not that you have purple hair or a nose ring, but consider that you’re applying for a service job for a store whose main customer base are professionals. Nice, calm, competent, very clean and well-attired - that’ll help a lot.</p>
<p>LOL ariesathena. I guess that’s one benefit of being a conservative dresser–I don’t have to worry too much about attire.</p>
<p>cnp55, that’s good to hear about the hours. I was worried that it’d be looked down upon that I can’t commit to 20+ hours/week. 15-20 sounds reasonable, though.</p>