Starbucks Interview Questions & Reviews in Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL Area

Interviewed Jan 2009 in Hollywood, FL (took a day)

I was already employed by Starbucks as a store manager and interviewed for an office position in the facilities division at the regional office. I was interviewed by two upper-level members of the maintenance department. After driving nearly two hours to get there, I was kept waiting longer and the interviewers were late. No apology. No word of thanks for making the trip. The interviewers were a male/female pair. The male was sour-faced the entire duration of the interview and seemed put out that I was wasting his valuable time. The female was professional and courteous, but not very friendly. Being a store manager on the front lines with the customers every day, I have a rather big and friendly manner which was certainly not matched or even appreciated. (My interview was arranged at the last minute by the HR department and it is my belief that the interviewers had already made their choice, but felt obliged to interview me as a courtesy to the HR person.)

The interview itself was a standard Starbucks interview with the behavioral situational questions. "Tell me about a time when XXXX happened. What was your response? What was the outcome?" Again, during the interview, the male was rather confrontational and seemed like he was trying to agitate me on purpose. I am a very confident and intelligent person, so I have no fear of saying "I can do this job and do it well" which seemed to irritate the male. He continually tried to make the job seem more difficult than it really is, as if he wanted me to voluntarily withdraw my application. Again, I think he was irritated that he had to interview me at all and his choice was already made.

Several days after the interview, I was contacted by a representative from the HR department who informed me that I did not get the job. The job was given to an outside hire, even though I was completly qualified and was in a store designated to close. The HR rep. then proceeded to give me "constructive criticism" from notes taken by the interviewers. At first, I thought this would be helpful, but it turned out to be more confusing than anything. The interviewers said I was "unprofessional." ??? The male said I had made some sort of "unusual gesture" before shaking hands. ??? I am quite certain I made no gesture of any kind but the HR rep. could not provide any further clarification. I was also chastised for not taking notes. ??? I don't understand that either. Why would I take notes? Instead, I actually pay attention and remember what people say to me so I don't need notes. The final note was "you didn't ask any questions." Again, if you pay attention and comprehend what is said to you, there's no need for questions. I fail to see how this is "unprofessional." Still a little dazed, I thanked the HR rep. who said I could contact her anytime with questions.

The next day, I emailed the HR rep. with the same questions I listed above. Unprofessional? Strange gestures? No notes? No questions? Could she elaborate further about the interview notes and could she advise me regarding taking notes and asking questions? I've never had a problem with my interview style before but I figure she's the expert, so please help me out. She never replied. I am fully convinced that my interview was set up solely for the purpose of allowing the facilities people to say they went the extra mile to interview someone as an internal hire, before actually hiring their pre-determined choice, an outside hire.

Does my story sound like sour grapes? Probably. Does that mean my point of view is wrong? Not necessarily. Given the changes (for the worse) that Starbucks has undergone over the last year, I cannot recomend anyone accepting a salaried position with that company.