What makes the Starbucks employee tick? - Barista Exchange2024-03-29T10:47:04Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-makes-the-starbucks?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI never worked for Starbucks.…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7617552010-01-28T13:01:20.625ZJay Caragayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JayCaragay
I never worked for Starbucks. In fact, I never worked for any coffee company, except my own. But I have reviewed, interviewed and hired a lot of people - some of them former Starbucks baristas and trainers. To my experience, it all comes down to the individual and what I (and by extension, my company) am looking for in an employee barista.<br />
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I want great people with great ethic and wonderful customer and interpersonal relationship skills. That's the primary requirement, love/passion for coffee…
I never worked for Starbucks. In fact, I never worked for any coffee company, except my own. But I have reviewed, interviewed and hired a lot of people - some of them former Starbucks baristas and trainers. To my experience, it all comes down to the individual and what I (and by extension, my company) am looking for in an employee barista.<br />
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I want great people with great ethic and wonderful customer and interpersonal relationship skills. That's the primary requirement, love/passion for coffee is secondary. I can teach any monkey how to make espresso, but I cannot teach an asshole to be a nice person who cares for their neighbors well-being.<br />
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Some applicants have come to the table with the attitude of "I know everything about coffee" and they are dismissed straightaway. Maybe you do know everything about coffee at Starbucks, Blue Bottle or 49th Parallel, but you don't know coffee how I want it prepared. And that's the bottom line: as a barista, you work to my standards and my standards alone. Maybe you were the former national or world barista champion who's roasted coffee and won cupping championships and latte art throwdowns and are generally regarding as an "amazing" barista - however, if you cannot perform and adhere to my standards, you're getting fired like the rest of them.<br />
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I encourage you to develop your vision and your standards and seek out people who can execute to your expectations. Coffee people are great, and they bring a wonderful perspective to the company, but I believe in people and seek out people with great personalities and who can take care of our customers that also have the aptitude to perform to my standards.<br />
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Don't get caught up in thinking Starbucks people are one way or the other. There are some great people working right now for that company who will find a better home with your company. Keep your eyes open for them when they come a knocking. Matthew, I think this is the…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7617092010-01-28T12:02:12.386ZMike Mhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/MichaelMorand
Matthew, I think this is the most responsible and equitable approach to the situation. It's sound logic to say that those with poor past experience may present a 'leadership challenge' (n. euphemism for a pain in the rear) if there is an unwillingness to break with old habits, but such individuals may also be future all-stars who simply made their first cappuccino at Starbucks and want to continue their development to someday become a barista jedi.<br />
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<cite>Matthew Pitts said:…</cite>
Matthew, I think this is the most responsible and equitable approach to the situation. It's sound logic to say that those with poor past experience may present a 'leadership challenge' (n. euphemism for a pain in the rear) if there is an unwillingness to break with old habits, but such individuals may also be future all-stars who simply made their first cappuccino at Starbucks and want to continue their development to someday become a barista jedi.<br />
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<cite>Matthew Pitts said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-makes-the-starbucks#1688216Comment761052"><div>For the record I have hired a Starbucks employee once before (didn't work out, but that's a different story), but I always interview each & every applicant the same way. Fair & honest. Regardless of experience. I believe that during the intervewing process you should be open, & decide whether or not that they would be a fit for our business. Trainable, or customer service.... I have noticed that people with experience seem to be harder to train or break former work habits.<br/>On another note. I rather enjoyed all of your comments.<br/>I'm curious to see what will happen tomorrow... Keep you posted!</div>
</blockquote> I used to work at Starbucks t…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7613372010-01-28T05:17:30.471ZJames Liuhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JamesLiu
I used to work at Starbucks too. There was this legend, back in the day, that Intelligentsia wouldn't even interview someone who had worked at Starbucks. Well, anyway, I got my interview at Intelly. I didn't get the job then.<br />
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When I applied at Joe in NY, I asked if I should even put Starbucks as part of my experience. They said sure. If you worked at Starbucks, at least you know to smile at customers and show up to work on time. But if someone has worked at Starbucks recently, it's pretty easy…
I used to work at Starbucks too. There was this legend, back in the day, that Intelligentsia wouldn't even interview someone who had worked at Starbucks. Well, anyway, I got my interview at Intelly. I didn't get the job then.<br />
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When I applied at Joe in NY, I asked if I should even put Starbucks as part of my experience. They said sure. If you worked at Starbucks, at least you know to smile at customers and show up to work on time. But if someone has worked at Starbucks recently, it's pretty easy to tell if they'd make a decent employee or not.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. Starbucks is a great place to work. Better than fast food pay, no cleaning deep fat fryers, and health insurance? Not to mention a supportive work environment. Not a bad deal for entry level if you ask me.<br />
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Their coffee training? It's gotten worse and worse since I've worked there.<br />
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But hey, if this customer is coming to you for coffee, at least she knows that there's better coffeethan Starbucks. The question you need to ask is "are you willing to start from scratch - you work the register and sweep and mop ... are you willing to do that for a couple of months for learning to make coffee our way?" If she says yes to that, and seems to mean it, she's worth a shot.<br />
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Because in this economy, giving up a decent job with health benefits? Not easy to do. Don't dismiss her without getting a good idea of what she really thinks her skills are worth, and what she's willing to do to be better at coffee. I think that all of us in the…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7612322010-01-28T04:39:23.653ZJoe Marroccohttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoeMarrocco
I think that all of us in the coffee industry, no matter what shop we work for or have worked for, have our own way of doing things. We all go into other shops critiquing, read threads and critique, judge and rejudge. We are a haughty group indeed. So, I will not cast stones at our Starbucks friends who do the same. To me it is just another barista from another shop.<br />
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Whether or not to hire should not be balanced on one thing this person said. I'm sure they are trying to impress you and let you…
I think that all of us in the coffee industry, no matter what shop we work for or have worked for, have our own way of doing things. We all go into other shops critiquing, read threads and critique, judge and rejudge. We are a haughty group indeed. So, I will not cast stones at our Starbucks friends who do the same. To me it is just another barista from another shop.<br />
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Whether or not to hire should not be balanced on one thing this person said. I'm sure they are trying to impress you and let you k ow how valuable they will be. Just be upfront and say that you do things differently than starbucks. Ask if they are willing to do things your way without complaint. I would also advise to be as open to learning as you are to teaching. Starbucks does a lot of things right. They (a lot of times, not all) hire really great people who have great social skills. I can teach almost anyone how to steam milk. I can't teach them how to have good customer service and social skills in the face of an extremely diverse and picky audience. That is worth hiring. Hire the person, not the training background. My two cents. Well said Sterling, I agree.…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7611632010-01-28T03:41:56.282ZCash Reynoldshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/CashReynolds
Well said Sterling, I agree. c(_)<br />
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<cite>Sterling Muth said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-makes-the-starbucks#1688216Comment760520"><div>From my personally hiring experience I would never hire someone that said, "I know how to do everything." That is a huge red flag and that would tell me immediately that the interviewer is going to be difficult to work with. In your case it doesn't matter if the person is a former Starbucks employee.<br></br> <br></br> If…</div>
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Well said Sterling, I agree. c(_)<br />
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<cite>Sterling Muth said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-makes-the-starbucks#1688216Comment760520"><div>From my personally hiring experience I would never hire someone that said, "I know how to do everything." That is a huge red flag and that would tell me immediately that the interviewer is going to be difficult to work with. In your case it doesn't matter if the person is a former Starbucks employee.<br/> <br/>
If you still feel that the person you are interviewing tomorrow has potential I would be very blunt with the interview. Let the interviewer know that you appreciate there confidence but you want to make clear they have to learn your policy and procedure (AKA drink preparation, Etc).</div>
</blockquote> For the record I have hired a…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-28:1688216:Comment:7610522010-01-28T02:19:05.683ZMatthew Pittshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/MatthewPitts135
For the record I have hired a Starbucks employee once before (didn't work out, but that's a different story), but I always interview each & every applicant the same way. Fair & honest. Regardless of experience. I believe that during the intervewing process you should be open, & decide whether or not that they would be a fit for our business. Trainable, or customer service.... I have noticed that people with experience seem to be harder to train or break former work habits.<br />
On…
For the record I have hired a Starbucks employee once before (didn't work out, but that's a different story), but I always interview each & every applicant the same way. Fair & honest. Regardless of experience. I believe that during the intervewing process you should be open, & decide whether or not that they would be a fit for our business. Trainable, or customer service.... I have noticed that people with experience seem to be harder to train or break former work habits.<br />
On another note. I rather enjoyed all of your comments.<br />
I'm curious to see what will happen tomorrow... Keep you posted! What debate is this? I've nev…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-27:1688216:Comment:7606852010-01-27T21:17:11.459ZBryan Wrayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BryanWray
What debate is this? I've never heard this one before...?<br />
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;0) (j/k...)<br />
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Just smile, nod and say okay and make them their vanilla latte constructed all bass ackwards. If they come back repeatedly then maybe introduce them to the concept of how screwed up their order is, but never on the first visit, that's my rule.<br />
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-bry<br />
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<cite>Jessica Elle Bee said:…</cite>
What debate is this? I've never heard this one before...?<br />
<br />
;0) (j/k...)<br />
<br />
Just smile, nod and say okay and make them their vanilla latte constructed all bass ackwards. If they come back repeatedly then maybe introduce them to the concept of how screwed up their order is, but never on the first visit, that's my rule.<br />
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-bry<br />
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<cite>Jessica Elle Bee said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-makes-the-starbucks?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A760520&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment760649"><div>*sigh* at my shop, it always comes down to the great macchiato debate.....</div>
</blockquote> *sigh* at my shop, it always…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-27:1688216:Comment:7606492010-01-27T20:47:54.817ZJessica Lamb-Brownhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JessicaElleBee
*sigh* at my shop, it always comes down to the great macchiato debate.....
*sigh* at my shop, it always comes down to the great macchiato debate..... From my personally hiring exp…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-27:1688216:Comment:7605202010-01-27T18:03:19.024ZSterling Muthhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Sterling
From my personally hiring experience I would never hire someone that said, "I know how to do everything." That is a huge red flag and that would tell me immediately that the interviewer is going to be difficult to work with. In your case it doesn't matter if the person is a former Starbucks employee.<br />
<br />
If you still feel that the person you are interviewing tomorrow has potential I would be very blunt with the interview. Let the interviewer know that you appreciate there confidence but you want…
From my personally hiring experience I would never hire someone that said, "I know how to do everything." That is a huge red flag and that would tell me immediately that the interviewer is going to be difficult to work with. In your case it doesn't matter if the person is a former Starbucks employee.<br />
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If you still feel that the person you are interviewing tomorrow has potential I would be very blunt with the interview. Let the interviewer know that you appreciate there confidence but you want to make clear they have to learn your policy and procedure (AKA drink preparation, Etc). Floating around on here somew…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-01-27:1688216:Comment:7604872010-01-27T17:32:13.957ZBryan Wrayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BryanWray
Floating around on here somewhere is a thread about what questions to ask during interviews... To be honest, I don't have the energy to dig for it, but it was a pretty solid thread and I'm sure some "google advanced search" ing would bring it around for you.<br />
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-bry
Floating around on here somewhere is a thread about what questions to ask during interviews... To be honest, I don't have the energy to dig for it, but it was a pretty solid thread and I'm sure some "google advanced search" ing would bring it around for you.<br />
<br />
-bry