Caribou Coffee Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Jan 20, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 20 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 20 ratings
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| 1–10 of 20 Caribou Coffee Interviews | Sort by |
Store Manager at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jan 20, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 in Milwaukee, WI (took 3 weeks)
A lot of the communication during the 3 week process was via email. I initially had a brief phone interview with a company recruiter (which had been set up via email). A few days later I received a phone call to set up a 1:1 interview with the DM. He was very pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to. During the interview he offered me a free drink of my choice, which was really nice. He had to ask a lot of set questions that he was reading off of his laptop. Also, all of my answers he had to type into his computer. At one point he told me to walk around the shop and take notes on anything - good, bad or ugly. We went over my "notes" when I sat back down. I'm sure he was trying to gauge what was important to me (i.e. cleanliness of store, customer service etc..). The interview lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours. He said the next step was another brief phone interview with a neighboring DM. She emailed me 3 days later, and we ended up scheduling the phone interview for 9 days from then. That too went very well and lasted only about 15 minutes. Throughout this whole process I had the feeling that all 3 people I had spoken to had liked me and were all impressed with my answers. So I was surprised that it took another 5 days to hear back. Once I did,it was with an official offer.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was able to negotiate a better salary. If you feel you deserve more, definitely try to negotiate however make sure that you have solid reasons. Also, make sure you understand the pay process! It is not a salaried position. They offer a number equivalent to a years salary, but it gets broken down to an hourly wage.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Store Manager at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jan 9, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2011 in Minneapolis, MN (took 3 weeks)
Personable company with clear intentions. The interview process took longer than expected. Phone interview one week after initial application. This was quick and easy. Two person reference check. 1st level interview the same week. 2nd round the next week. Took a while to receive a call back after 2nd interview. Offer came with call back.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Skills Test, a Personality Test and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Dec 21, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 (took 2 weeks)
I first filled out an online application for two different stores, then called and found neither was hiring. A few days later I called and found this location was hiring, so I went in and talked to the manager, telling her I was interested in working there and had submitted my online application to two other locations. She said to send the application to that location and she would look at it when she had a chance and give me a call (she said it wouldn't be until the next week though since they were busy with grand opening. I went in a number of times after that week and each time she apologized for not having a chance to look at my application (understandable, with trying to start up a new store). Finally probably the third time I stopped in to check up on my application status, she took my phone number and availability down and then immediately scheduled me for an interview for a few days later.
I went in for the interview and thought it went pretty well (it was with a different manager) and she said at the end that I'd get a call from them at the end of the week (they had other applicants and interviews to conduct). A few hours after I got home, however, I got an email from them saying they were going to "pursue other applicants". Oh well! At least they really let me know quickly.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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Barista at Caribou Coffee
Posted Dec 19, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 in Shakopee, MN (took 1 week)
I received a phone call 3 days after I applied online. The store manager requested to set up an interview with me, and I did. I went in 4 days later for my interview. I walked into the store and it was very clean. They offered me a drink, which I accepted. They had it ready for me in about a minute. I intereviewed with the store manager. She had me interview with a supervisor, as well, for a few minutes. Afterwards, the store manager came back and asked me a few more questions. Once she was done, she said she should call me by Friday. I left. On Wednesday, she called me and offered me a position. I had to accept and fill out tax forms online. Once that was done, she called me and set up a time for orientation (which lasted about 2 hours).
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was not able to negotiate. They offered minimum wage, but it is what I was expecting.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Shift Supervisor at Caribou Coffee
Posted Nov 13, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2011 (took 4+ weeks)
I submitted my application online and received a call back within a few days to schedule an in-person interview with the store manager. It was a typical interview consisting of questions about leadership and customer service along with my experience in cafes. Received a call about a week later offering me a position.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Initial offer was just under minimum wage and would have been a $3 an hour pay cut. Declined the offer and received a call later to increase the offer and I accepted.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Aug 31, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2009 (took a day)
I applied online, they called me back after 1 week to set up a face to face interview. The interview consisted of a lot of questions about customer service. A typical question was; "Explain a time when you dealt with a dissatisfied customer, and how did you resolve the issue."
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
There is little room for negotiation, but you may be able to get a little more money if you ask for it. They have a pretty standard pay rate, but will go up and down based upon your prior work experience and what you have to offer to the company.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Aug 23, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 (took a day)
The manager called me to set up an interview the day after I applied online. After one or two preliminary questions about availability, we arranged an interview for the next day. The interview took place in the store lobby and lasted 20 to 30 minutes. Much of it was conversational and the manager spent some time talking about himself and how the store works, so it wasn't a solid block of q&a. As he said he would, the manager called me back within a couple of hours to schedule a second interview, giving me the option to come back either that same day or later that week. I chose the former, had another 20-30 minute interview with a different manager, and was offered the job on the spot (provided my background checked out).
Before both interviews I was offered a complimentary drink. I would suggest accepting the drink to show that you like their products. If your interviewer asks how the drink is, try to describe the flavor or texture rather than just something generic like "It's great" or "It's delicious." Wine words like "robust" are good for coffee drinks. If you can't come up with anything else, at least say it's refreshing. The point is to say something a customer might want to hear if they ask about a particular drink.
They told me that the company has been using a new interview process (new questions, etc.) since the beginning of summer, so a lot of the questions I saw on this site were not asked. Also, I got the impression that it was rare to get a same-day callback and even rarer to have both interviews in the same day, so don't lose hope if you're not called back immediately!
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
If you have a lot of coffee experience, you might (might) be able to negotiate, but generally when you're on the lowest rung of the ladder and in the food service industry, you have to take what you're offered.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jul 18, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 in Commerce Twp, MI (took a day)
They ask you 'out of the box' questions such as what type of animal would you be, but also ask questions why you want to work here, what challenges have you had at your current employer, and so on.
The store itself was nice, quiet, and large enough. The interviewer was plesant and offered me a drink which I declined. Lasted about 10 minutes and was told I'd be emailed shortly. I checked my email when I came home and was not "what they were looking for". I find it to be extremely rude to base my qualifications within half an hour after an interview and email me instead of personally telling it to my face or on the phone. I also find that they should at least consider an application for a day before telling the person.
Apparently if you never worked in a coffee shop you probably won't get this job. I however am not mad that I was not offered a job, but the way the responded so quickly as to not wanting to hire me. Don't get your hopes up!
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Barista at Caribou Coffee
Posted Feb 5, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2009 (took a day)
Keep in mind management differs greatly from one store to the next. My interview was very basic. It seems they get a general feel for your personality. They ask the basics about school, work experience, goals, etc. Sometimes they will have two interviews if they are unsure. I know that some of the people I work with were given two interivews. The process is very quick if the store in question is hiring and the person applying is qualified.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
At the time of the interview (2009) I had heard that coffe shops pay $8.00 per hour. I mentioned this at the interview and that is what the manager agreed to pay. I have a feeling at the time this was probably the max hourly wage for new hires.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
More Caribou Coffee Barista Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Support Center Management at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jan 30, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2009 in Minneapolis, MN (took 3 days)
Three phone interviews (recruiter, business partner, hiring supervisor) and full day at office interviewing with wide variety of people. Tour of roastery and opportunity to ask any questions I desired
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Little room for negotiation...positions have salary range and won't offer more than the range for the postion
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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