How to Get a Job at Starbucks? Job Application, Interview & More

According to Statista, Starbucks has nearly 33,000 stores worldwide and is still expanding, pandemic or not. That’s a lot of Starbucks career positions to fill and great news for those who are wondering how to get a job at Starbucks.

However, although this massive and prosperous company is constantly on the lookout for talent, you'll face a bit of competition, as Starbucks hires less than 10% of the more than 1 million annual applicants. 

So, if you want to be amongst the chosen few who get hired at Starbucks, your may want to prepare before submitting your Starbucks application. 

In this quick guide, we'll walk you through the application process and provide you with valuable tips and examples that will elevate your resume, cover letter, and job interview above the competition. 

How to apply for a job at Starbucks

Ok, the first thing we need to make clear is that you can no longer apply for a job at your local Starbucks. Everyone who wants to get hired there must apply by filling up a Starbucks job application form online. 

I know, bummer. It’s hard to show your charisma through an online application, for that you'll have to wait till the face-to-face or virtual job interview. But there are other ways you can do so. We'll get to that in a bit. 

With that said, if you really want to up your chance of getting to the interview stage at Starbucks and ultimately get hired, you first need to nail the application.

These are the steps you need to take when applying for a job at Starbucks:

1. Step: Start by going to the Starbucks’ Career Page.  
2. Step: Choose whether you want to work in a store or in a corporate office. 
3. Step: Go over the career listings, add your zip code and apply to the store you want to work in. It's actually allowed to apply to more than one job position. 
4. Step: Begin the application. You'll need an email and will be asked to create an account. 
5. Step: Sign the electronic consent form. 
6. Step: Enter your personal information. Your first and last name, address, phone number and SSN. 

How to make your Starbucks online application stand out 

Those steps were straightforward. But, how do you fill the questionnaire so that you can stand out?  

A Starbucks store supervisor on Quora recommends the following: 

1. Make it clear you're a people person and that you like to connect with them on a daily basis. 
2. Have an open availability. 
3. Show you're good at multitasking. 
4. Apply to multiple stores to increase your chances of being hired. 

Lastly, when we said you can no longer apply for a job at your local Starbucks, we didn’t mean you’re not allowed to go into the store you applied for and introduce yourself to the manager. In fact, this was also a recommendation from a Starbucks manager on Reddit. 

He also recommends waiting about a week after submitting your application before calling or going in person and to avoid doing it on weekends.  

Introducing yourself in person allows the manager to connect a face to the application. It also shows you’re committed to getting the job. Just make sure you go prepared in case you get interviewed on the spot. Don't forget to wear your business casual clothing, and bring a pen and a copy or two of your resume. 

Starbucks job positions 

The most common job at Starbucks is barista. However, as Starbucks is a huge global company, there are many job titles and positions. From corporate office jobs to Starbucks marketing jobs. 

Here are four of the most popular and on demand jobs at Starbucks:

Starbucks barista (job description) 

As a Starbucks barista you'll represent the nature and character of Starbucks. In other words you'll be the personification of the company’s virtues, mission and values. A barista’s job is not only about making great coffee, but also connecting with the customer. Other job duties include:

• Delivering great customer service 
• Maintaining a clean and organized workspace
• Communicating information to store manager 

Starbucks shift supervisor (job description)

If you're someone who wants to gain leadership experience, the Starbucks shift supervisor position is a great way to start. The role will have you lead a team and enact decisions on store operations. The good thing about this position is that you'll get to interact with both customers and partners. Other job duties include: 

• Assisting with new hire training 
• Executing store operations during shift
• Following up with baristas through their shift 

Starbucks assistant store manager (job description)

For those who are already familiar with a leadership position, the next step is the Starbucks assistant store manager. In this role, you'll be honing your management skills so that in the future you can manage your own store. You'll be in charge of managing the store operations and leading a team. Other job duties include: 

• Hiring and training of new employees 
• Resolving customer issues 
• Making sure the company policies are followed 

Starbucks store manager (job description) 

As a Starbucks store manager, the store is practically yours. At least, that’s how you should be running it. You'll be taking care of the day to day operations and will even be responsible for its financial results. You'll also be choosing the team who gets to work under you. Other job duties include: 

• Supervising and directing team 
• Resolving employee complaints and concerns
• Managing inventory 

Starbucks resume and cover letter tips and examples 

The key to writing a great resume and cover letter for Starbucks is no different than writing one for any other job — tailor them to the job ad. 

And believe me, even if you have no knowledge about cappuccinos and pumpkin spice lattes, you're bound to have qualities that align with the company’s values to add on your Starbucks resume skills section. Such as: 

• Communication skills: Starbucks prides itself on providing some of the best customer service. It cannot be done without prioritizing employees who are good at communication. 
• Punctuality: People need their coffee fix and sometimes they need it really early. If they can’t get it because an employee is late, there will be repercussions. 
• Teamwork: Starbucks didn’t get to be a multinational company by being a lone wolf. Teamwork has been crucial for its growth. 
• Passion: A cup of coffee at a place with grumpy baristas is not as enjoyable. Clients will leave and revenue will be lost. It makes sense that Starbucks looks for passionate employees. 

Resume 

Alright, now that you know you have skills that align with the job, it's time to pick the perfect resume for the job you’re applying for.

Are you applying as a Starbucks barista? Then your resume should highlight your interpersonal skills, as well as your attention to detail. Such as this Starbucks barista resume example. 

If applying as a Starbucks shift supervisor, assistant manager or store manager, your resume should emphasize your experience and team management. A bit like this barista manager’s resume sample who got hired at Starbucks. 

For more information on resumes, check out this comprehensive guide on how to write a resume. 

Cover letter

As for your cover letter, you want to make sure you reference the job description. Then try to answer the following questions:

• Who are you? 
• Why are you submitting this application? 
• Why do you want the job and are you already familiar with it? 
• What are your previous experiences that align with this job?
• Why should you be considered? 

Just make sure you keep it concise and to the point. 

At the end, it should look like this barista cover letter example. 

How to prepare for a job interview at Starbucks

With the exception of the Starbucks online assessment test and being an expert latte artist, preparing for an interview at Starbucks should be no different than for any other job. 

Apart from reading a job interview guide, here’s what you can do to nail a Starbucks job interview. 

Study the job description 

Understanding the ins and outs of your prospect job is very important, as it allows you to respond to interview questions in a way that resonates with the company's expectations. This alone can impress a Starbucks hiring manager and put you above your competition. 

Print your resume

This advice is gold, as the Starbucks recruiter will most likely be using a copy of your resume as a guideline on what questions to ask. 

Having your resume on hand will allow you to relieve that information from your head, so that you can instead focus on the interview. By not taking a copy of your resume, it might be difficult to remember dates and other details from previous jobs which can lead to you fumbling on interview questions.  

Wear business casual attire 

Usually coffee shop jobs are lenient when it comes to this part of the interview process. They don’t expect you to go in wearing a formal suit. However, it's still advised to look presentable and a relaxed. In other words, try to go for a business casual look. 

With that said, let us recommend you what to wear to a Starbucks interview:

• Bottom: Dress slacks, presentable skirt, or dark jeans  
• Top: Solid button down shirt or conservative top; blue, grey, black or white.
• Brown or black dress shoes 

In the end, so long as you’re well groomed and exude confidence, you don't have to worry.

Review common interview questions

There are hundreds of job interview questions hiring managers like to ask, making it impossible to prepare for them all. 

However, most common Starbucks interview questions tend to be situation-based, such as:

1. Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate in a team? 
2. Could you tell me about a time you reached a big goal? 
3. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult customer?
4. Tell me about a tough challenge you had to overcome. 
5. How would you approach a colleague doing something incorrectly? 

When answering such questions keep in mind what a Starbucks store manager wrote on Reddit, "In the end, a Starbucks interview is about finding the real “you” and making sure you can make real connections. Talk about yourself, but be real. Let them get to know your hobbies, passions, pets and life, so that they get to know you". 

Prepare for the online assessment test

A Virtual Job Tryout online assessment test is sometimes used to allow applicants to “test drive” their prospect job, while also allowing Starbucks to assess the candidates. 

Basically, they give you a list of scenarios you might encounter on the job and your answers will show if you have what it takes.

This test is not always given out, however, you may still want to prepare for it. Just in case. 

But how? 

• Again, go over the job description and look at the key tasks you'll need to perform for the job. 
• There are general tests you can take online, where you can practice numerical, personality, situational, reasoning, and profiling tests. 
• Search for previous Starbucks test samples to better understand what kind of questions will be asked. 

How much does Starbucks pay? (Starbucks salaries)

Depending on the career path, the salary of Starbucks’ employees varies. With Starbucks starting wage averaging at $11 per hour for baristas and being as high as $30 per hour for store managers. 

Though apart from the pay, working at Starbucks comes with a few other perks, such as 30% discounts on Starbucks merchandise, drinks, and food. Also, if you work more than 20 hours a week, you qualify for benefits. That means you get dental, vision and your choice of health insurance.