Caribou Coffee Team Member Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 25, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 10 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 10 ratings
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| 1–10 of 10 Caribou Coffee Interviews | Sort by |
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted May 25, 2012
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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 Oct 2011 in Gambrills, MD (took a day)
I was referred by an employee who already work at that store. She suggested that the store manager interview me from the pool of online applicants, and I had an interview a few weeks later with the store manager. I met with the SM at the store around 2 pm, met a few of the team members. She asked me a few questions including what I've done to benefit my community, what did I know about Caribou Coffee, what would I do in a specific really busy situation to keep everything moving and everybody happy, and a few others. Some of them I didn't know how to answer, but overall it was not too bad.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Over the phone, the SM asked me to come in and fill out some info for a background check. Later in the week I received an email with a job offer which I accepted and started training about two weeks after that.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Mar 8, 2012
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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 Feb 2012 in Minneapolis, MN (took a day)
Talked with store manager on Monday, meet with him on Wednesday. Started off telling me how "liberal" the company is. And how every one in his store votes for "Kunutz". He then went on to ask me my polictical views, when I said I don't have any; he say you have to be very politically minded to work in my store otherwise you will "be ripped to shreds at my store". First I am not old enough to vote; and I did not find this appropriate conversation for an interview. From then on in the interview my attention went elsewhere. He also informed me that I attend a bad high school and that the high school his kids go to is better. At the end he grabbed my hands from the table gave me a strange nod and smile and said I would hear back form him either way by Thursday. I never heard form him again. I have been on three other interviews since and none of them were conducted this way, they were strictly related to my personality and the job I applied for. On my last interview it was very brief only twenty minutes or so he stuck to the interview questions provided for him. Said he really enjoyed talking to me and that he had one more interview, but would definitely call me by the end of the week. About a week and a half later I still hadn't heard from them so i gave him a call and he informed me that yes he wanted to schedule a second interview with the other manager. This interview was also very brief she asked most of the same questions the other manager did, and also asked me take five minuets and give her a review of the store. She said I would definitely hear from them by the end of the week it was not till I called them about a week later, when the male manager offered me the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jan 20, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2010 in Minneapolis, MN (took 6 days)
i sat down with the manager and we talked very briefly. i am not a coffee drinker and i had never been to a caribou in my life but i felt prepared because i did a lot of research about the company. i rode my bike to the interview and it was rather hot inside so i was a bit sweaty. i was going to use the bathroom to towel off but the door was locked. the interview did not go that well because it was clear that i was not a coffee person and i was not a caribou person.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Jul 21, 2010
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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 Jul 2009 (took 1 week)
Online application very long ~90 minutes and consisted of a personality test (multiple choice) mostly to ensure candidates are friendly, enjoy working with people, have the proper sense of urgency, etc.
Next was a phone interview with behavioral questions like, "Tell me about a time you had to sell a new product to customers..." and a review of my coffee & retail experience.
Then I had two 1:1 interviews with the Store Manager and a Shift Supervisor with the same type of questions.
Everyone was friendly and welcoming.
As for tips, I would encourage candidates to dress appropriately for an interview. Although it is a casual atmosphere (uniform is jeans and a black or white collared shirt), wear dress slacks, a button down shirt and real shoes. People who did well on the phone screen were sent away without being interviewed because of improper attire (ex: flip flops, tank tops, etc) I shouldn't have to say this, but there it is!
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
As this is a service-type entry level job there is really no negotiation on salary. It pays what it pays and you can accept or not.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Personality Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted Dec 27, 2009
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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 Oct 2007 (took 1 week)
Application was very extensive and long. Interviewing was easy but I felt like it took the manager very long to get back to me after the first interview.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Caribou Coffee
Posted May 7, 2009
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2009 in Naperville, IL (took 1 week)
Two 1:1 interview. Behavioral questions and walking up to customers and chatting challenges.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Had another higher paying offer.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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