fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2566 ]

[ SECRET POST #2566 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2566 ⌋

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I'm applying for a job at a Starbucks near where I live. I am a regular there, well known enough among the employees that once I fill out the online application, I can probably get a direct introduction to the branch supervisor. However, I have no barista or food-service experience, and my customer service experience has been non-existent.

This will effectively be my first job, because what little work I had previous was basically tutoring and under-the-table essay assistance, which was mostly just spending money to help cover pricey textbooks. And right now, that branch isn't in dire need of new employees.

I know that most likely, any chances I have of getting the job are entirely up to a variety of other factors out of my control. But at least in filling out the application and talking with the supervisor, is there anything I can write or say that will improve my chances of getting hired?

Please and thank you for all your help! :)

Look up interview questions, figure out what your"weakness-that-isn't-one" is, and do some research on the company - maybe ask what the working environment is like there (and it will be different than when you were a patron). One thing that's a big don't is don't bring up salary at an interview. I know that seems basic but people do it.

As far as working at Starbucks goes, you need to be able to learn and work fast, and be able to deal with nasty customers.

I'm pretty sure they'll pay me minimum wage and at this point I'm pretty much okay with that. Though I'm curious, for working at a coffee shop, what would be a "weakness that isn't one"?

It's a standard interview thing. You know the whole "what is one of your weaknesses?" Then you say something but make it more of a strength. A standard one is something like "I just can't leave something unfinished, even if it means working overtime" - or something along those lines.

The only weakness I have that is pertinent to working in a coffee shop is that I'm not always great with punctuality, and I can't think of a way to turn that into a strength. (And maybe that I'm short and Starbucks has tall counters). :( Any advice?

Edited 2014-01-12 03:46 (UTC)

DA

One that I use is that I often when I have a lot of tasks to do in a day I get frazzled and a bit stressed. Then I go on to explain that I've learned to write down lists of all my tasks and cross them off as I go to help me out and that it's actually upped my productivity. Do you have anything like that you could use?

I'm probably going with the anon below's suggestion. Thank you, though. :)

Ayrt

To be perfectly honest? A lot of people lie on that question, and most managers expect people to bullshit that question, or at least exaggerate. Plus it *can* be something like "I don't have much experience, so I won't always know what to do... But that means I've also avoided developing any bad habits."

Though that one only really works for the first job in an industry.

I'm probably going to go with that, as I can't see how to make a lack of punctuality a good point beyond "if I'm even 5 minutes late, I'll work at least 10 minutes extra to make up for it".

Thank you for your help. :)

Seconding looking up interview questions. You can Google "Starbucks interview questions" and find lots of examples and stories from other applicants' interviews.

I've never worked at Starbucks but a friend has and they said the company often prefers people who don't have experience in the food service industry. Basically, it means that they have a blank slate to work with and what they train you to do, you're more likely to do the way they want you to. I got the impression it is different in some places, like stores that serve thousands of customers a day, but that's just a relative few stores around the country.

Best of luck and I hope you get the job and enjoy it!

Thank you! :)

This might seem like a weird question, but how old are you? If you're a teenager, not having the work experience won't be that big of a deal for that particular job. If you're in your twenties or older, though, with no "practical" work experience, I'd make sure you have really good references from those tutoring jobs.

I am 20, and unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, I can't really depend on the tutoring jobs for references. My last "professional" tutoring job was a quarter decade ago at my very crowded high school, so most likely anyone I could put down as a reference has already forgotten me (and anyway, after this long I doubt I could even ask to put their contact information down in the first place). Since then, it's been fellow students paying me directly to help them out, and anyway most of whom I no longer have contact with.

I've never worked at a Starbucks, but the one time I applied to work at a coffee shop, they didn't hire me because I couldn't give them the hours they wanted. They weren't willing to invest in training someone who could only work 10 hours a week. If you're a student, you will probably be limited in how many hours you can work during the school year (If you don't get the job, you might try again when you are on a school break so you can work as much as they need you at first and cut back when classes start up again). You might be able to mitigate this by being willing to work the "unpopular" shifts like early morning or Friday/Saturday evenings (or whatever they need) provided your schedule allows is.

At this point, working the unpopular shifts is what I'm banking on. At the moment, I basically can work evenings, Fridays, and weekends, and in a few weeks my schedule is such that I'll be able to work any time any day, except Mondays and Wednesdays.

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[ SECRET POST #2566 ]

Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

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Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

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Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?

Re: Has anyone here ever worked at Starbucks?