I applied online. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Starbucks (Toronto, ON) in Aug 2011
Interview
I applied online earlier but was unable to connect with the recruiter. The online application requires you to upload your cover letter and/or resume and complete a skills/personality test that they call a "Virtual Job Tryout". I reapplied again 2 months later and was called again and had a phone interview that lasted roughly 10-15 mins. From there I had an in person interview with the recruiter the next day that was your basic behavioral interview ("Tell me a time when..."). That interview lasted approximately 40 minutes. I then had an interview 6 days later with a district manager that was again behavioral and lasted approximately 40 minutes. Both interviewers were very professional and made me feel comfortable. Both interviews were held at their Toronto head office on Yonge St. Next I had an "informal" meeting with the regional director and the district manager of the store we were meeting at. It was short, maybe 20-30 mins and we just talked about why I want to work at Starbucks, why I left my previous job, what were the opportunities in Starbucks I had noticed, etc. I was then called later that day and offered the position.
Anyone interviewing with Starbucks should have already thought about their previous experiences with angry customers, stressful situations, risks they've taken, their weaknesses, their management style, etc..
For every answer, they are looking for a Situation, an Action, and a Result. What was your Situation? What Actions did you take? What were the Results of those actions? If you do not satisfy those parameters with your answer, they will ask probing questions to find out what part of the S/A/R you didn't tell them.
Interview questions [4]
Question 1
Can you tell me of a time where you took a risk and weren't sure of how it would turn out?
I applied online. I interviewed at Starbucks in May 2026
Interview
Super easy. Applied online. A recruiter reached out for initial interview, was about 15-30 minutes. Recruiter set up second interview with DM and peer DM for the following week. After that, was interviewed by the regional.
I applied through other source. I interviewed at Starbucks (Chicago, IL) in Apr 2026
Interview
Two district sanagers interviewing over Microsoft Teams. Extensive, heavy "STAR" use required in questions with follow up questions from interviewers. 5 questions for me but our interview went nearly an hour, overall friendly.
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Starbucks (Concord, CA)
Interview
You first have a screen with the recruiter, and she sets up time to speak with you. If you pass that, you get sent to the DM and interview with that DM and another DM and then usually decision after that.