How to Get a Job at Starbucks: Step-by-Step Guide

Starbucks is one of the most popular first-job employers in the world. Flexible hours, free or discounted drinks, decent benefits for part-time employees, and a recognizable brand all make it a strong choice whether you’re a student, a career-changer, or just looking for steady work.

The good news: Starbucks hires a lot of people. The bad news: in many cities, so does everyone else—so you have to stand out.

This guide breaks down:

Basic requirements to work at Starbucks
How to apply the right way
What hiring managers actually look for
How to prepare for the interview
Extra tips if it’s your first job

1. Make Sure You Meet the Basic Requirements

Starbucks doesn’t require a fancy resume or years of experience for barista roles, but there are some basic boxes you need to tick.

Minimum Age

In most places, the minimum age to work as a barista is 16.
Some locations that serve alcohol or have specific labor rules may require you to be 18+.

Always check your local job posting to be sure.

Legal Right to Work

You’ll need:

Proof that you can legally work in the country (e.g., SIN in Canada, work permit/visa, etc.).

Availability and Schedule

Starbucks is busiest:

Early mornings
Lunch times
Evenings and weekends

They strongly prefer people who can work peak hours and weekends, even part-time. Being too restrictive with your schedule can hurt your chances.

2. Understand the Roles: Barista vs. Shift Supervisor vs. More

For most people, the entry point is barista:

Making drinks and food
Taking orders at the till and drive-thru
Cleaning, stocking, and supporting the team
Talking with customers (a lot)

Later on, you can move up to:

Shift supervisor (oversees shifts and supports the store manager)
Store manager/assistant manager
Corporate, roasting, or distribution roles if you stay long term

But to start, focus on barista unless you already have leadership and retail/food service experience.

3. Get Your Resume Ready (Even If It’s Your First Job)

You don’t need a perfect resume, but you should have something simple and clean that shows:

Your contact info
Your education (high school, college, etc.)
Any work experience (retail, restaurant, babysitting, tutoring, volunteering, etc.)
Skills like:
- Customer service
- Cash handling or POS systems
- Working in a fast-paced environment
- Teamwork and communication

If you’ve never had a “real” job before:

Include volunteer work, school clubs, sports teams, or group projects.
Emphasize anything that proves:
- You show up on time
- You work well with others
- You can handle responsibility (being team captain, organizing an event, etc.)

4. Apply Through the Official Starbucks Careers Site

Starbucks wants you to apply online, not by handing in random paper resumes.

How the Application Works (Overview)

From their careers portal, you’ll:

Search for nearby stores hiring baristas or shift supervisors.
Click into a posting and review the job description and requirements.
Create or log into a Starbucks careers account.
Fill out the application:
- Personal details
- Work history / education
- Availability (days and hours)
- Some basic questions (e.g., why you want to work there, legal work eligibility, etc.)
Attach your resume (and sometimes a short cover note if allowed).

Pro tip: Apply to multiple nearby stores, not just one. Corporate Starbucks locations often hire centrally, but each store can still decide which candidates to interview.

5. What Starbucks is Looking For in Applicants

According to Starbucks’ own careers and culture pages, they emphasize:

Customer service and friendliness
Teamwork and willingness to help others
Reliability (showing up when scheduled, being consistent)
A sense of belonging and inclusion—being respectful of different backgrounds and personalities
A willingness to learn fast and handle busy, sometimes stressful rushes

You don’t have to be a coffee expert. They care more about:

“Are you someone who will show up, be kind to customers, and work hard when it’s busy?”

When you fill out the application, make sure your answers and resume highlight:

Times you handled busy situations calmly
Times you helped a team or took initiative
Any customer-facing roles (cashier, server, camp counselor, reception, etc.)

6. Make Your Application Stand Out

Here’s what helps you rise above the huge pile of “I like coffee!” applicants:

Be Specific, Not Generic

Instead of saying:

“I like Starbucks and I really want to work here.”

Say things like:

“I’m used to fast-paced environments from working at [place], where rush periods were constant.”
“I’ve handled cash and card payments, and I’m comfortable learning new systems quickly.”
“I enjoy talking to customers and making them feel welcome.”

Emphasize Availability

If you can:

Open early
Close late
Work weekends and holidays

Say so clearly. From a manager’s point of view, good availability can be more valuable than a bit of extra experience.

Show You Understand the Role

You can mention that you’re aware baristas:

Clean and restock regularly
Work on their feet for long periods
Have to memorize drinks and recipes
Work as a team to get orders out quickly

That shows you’re not just imagining a chill “hang out and drink coffee” job.

7. Prepare for the Starbucks Interview

If your application looks solid, you’ll usually be invited to:

An in-person interview at the store, or
A short phone/video pre-interview, followed by in-person

Starbucks’ own interview tips emphasize being prepared, knowing their values, and being ready to talk about customer service and teamwork.

Common Starbucks Interview Questions

You might get questions like:

“Why do you want to work at Starbucks?”
“Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.”
“Describe a time you worked as part of a team.”
“How do you handle stress when it gets really busy?”
“What does good customer service mean to you?”
“What’s your availability like?”

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):

Situation: Briefly explain the context.
Task: What needed to be done?
Action: What you did.
Result: What happened in the end.

Example (for a difficult customer):

Situation: “I worked at a small café and a customer was upset that their order was wrong.”
Task: “I needed to fix the mistake and keep them happy.”
Action: “I apologized, remade the drink quickly, and offered to bring it to their table so they didn’t have to wait in line again.”
Result: “They thanked me, said they appreciated how I handled it, and came back regularly.”

What to Wear

You don’t need a suit, but dress neat and clean:

Plain shirt, simple pants, closed-toe shoes
Avoid ripped clothing, loud logos, or anything too casual (like pajamas or gym shorts)

Think “casual professional,” not “just rolled out of bed.”

8. Show You Fit the Culture

Starbucks calls employees “partners” because they emphasize shared success, stock programs, and benefits.

In the interview, it helps if you:

Talk about teamwork and how you like helping coworkers
Mention that you’re open to feedback and learning
Show you’re respectful of different people and backgrounds
Mention any community or volunteer experience (which aligns with their community-focused messaging)

You don’t have to deliver a speech about corporate values, but demonstrating that you’re a decent, inclusive human who cares about others goes a long way.

9. Ask Smart Questions at the End

When they ask, “Do you have any questions for us?” don’t say “No.”

You can ask things like:

“What does a typical shift look like for a new barista here?”
“What traits do your best baristas have in common?”
“How does scheduling usually work for part-time partners?”
“What opportunities are there to learn more or take on more responsibility over time?”

This shows you’re serious and thinking long-term, not just chasing free coffee.

10. Understand the Benefits (Especially If You Plan to Stay)

Starbucks is popular partly because many locations offer benefits even to part-time workers, once you meet certain hour thresholds. Benefits vary by country, but can include:

Health, dental, and vision (for eligible partners)
Stock programs (Bean Stock)
Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k), RRSP equivalents)
Free or discounted drinks and food
Tuition or education support in some regions
Parental leave and other perks

Usually you need to work roughly 20 hours/week on average and meet certain hour requirements over a few months to qualify for full benefits.

If you’re planning to stay, you can mention in the interview that you’re interested in growing with the company and possibly taking advantage of training and development opportunities.

11. After the Interview: What to Expect

If You Get the Job

You’ll usually:

Receive a call or email with an offer
Complete background or hiring paperwork
Attend onboarding and training (learning drinks, safety, cash handling, etc.)
Start with shorter shifts while you get used to the pace

Early on, success is about:

Showing up on time
Asking questions
Being willing to clean, stock, and help wherever needed
Staying positive even when you’re still learning and making mistakes

If You Don’t Hear Back

If it’s been a week or two:

It’s okay to politely follow up by phone or email asking if they’re still considering candidates.
If they’ve moved on, thank them and apply to other nearby stores. Different managers may have different staffing needs.

12. Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances

Try to avoid:

Being extremely inflexible with your schedule (“I can only work 2 hours on Thursdays”).
Submitting a totally blank or one-line application.
Being negative or badmouthing past employers in your interview.
Showing up late or looking unprepared.
Acting like the job is just about free drinks and hanging out.

Managers are mostly looking for people who will reliably show up and be kind, even when it’s slammed.

Final Thoughts

Getting a job at Starbucks isn’t about being a coffee expert—it’s about:

Meeting the basic requirements (age, right to work, availability)
Submitting a clear, honest application that shows you can handle customers and teamwork
Preparing for a simple interview focused on attitude, reliability, and fit
Showing that you’re willing to learn and help the team

If you do those things—and apply to more than one store—you give yourself a very real shot at landing that green apron and starting work as a Starbucks barista.

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