Starbucks Barista?

Question

I have an entire semester as a break due to my transfer to another school which gave me time to look for work as I have decided that it will be a good way to spend my time. But I have never worked my entire life.

Now I decided to try and work for starbucks as a barista. I'm willing to be trained, which I know is a part of the process, but I'm totally clueless as to what I should expect of my training and my first few days on the job. Some info could really help me mentally prepare for my first job. I'd love to hear from actual baristas.

What should I expect of this job?
What are some the so-called "skills" regarding coffee preparation?
What is a typical day for a barista?
Anything that I should watch out for?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,
I worked for Starbucks for a brief period of time. I would not recommend this as a first job- it was too fast paced for me and I have a lot of experience in customer service. But anyway, I can tell you what to expect. Your first day is usually a four hour period, where they go over the policies and you do your tax forms and all the other signings. Then they should be handing you a yellow sheet which maps out you training for the next 10 days. During one of those days, you will go to The Starbucks experience class, which is a nice break, that you, of course, get paid for. I think on your second or third day, you do a computer simulation of how to use the cash register. After a day or so of that you start to learn drinks. Don’t expect everything to be on schedule. Also just get in there and try to learn drinks as soon as you can. Those drinks can be intimidating- but most of them are made, more or less the same way. Write down the basics of making drinks and the few drinks that differ. Once you get that in your head, keep on making drinks. You want to learn to be quick as soon as possible. You will have a learning coach to help you and a big reference book to look at. There’s also a beverage resource book.
A typical day will involve you being busy all the time. You have to make mocha and make three types of Frappuccino mixes for the people who come in after you so you don’t run out. The closing is much harder than the opening shift. The openers make the teas for the ice tea beverages, the put out the pastries, the newspapers. A few other things, but I only opened once. The closers have to clean up everything, it takes soooo long. Everyone has to do 10 minute sweeps, which is a cleaning of the condiment bar and whatever needs cleaning every ten minutes-that doesn’t happen, but expect to be asked at least twice a day. You should also do those before you go on break, go home etc. It’s a lot, but you'll get the hang of it after a month. Of course you’ll still be learning.
Be careful about your money handeling and never do anything alone.

Answer 2

Barista Training Starbucks

Answer 3

Starbucks Barista School

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Starbucks Barista?
I have an entire semester as a break due to my transfer to another school which gave me time to look for work as I have decided that it will be a good way to spend my time. But I have never worked my entire life.

Now I decided to try and work for starbucks as a barista. I'm willing to be...

Answer 5

ive been working for startbucks afor over a year. the traning is really good. the first few days you will sit on a computer (as with most places) and just do modules. you will need to go to a meeting called "coffee hourney" its really boring lolol and will learn abotu coffee. you will be doign something called a "first impression 'which is metting with one of the managers, (store manager, assistant or shift superviosr" and work from a booklet and taste coffess.
I hated trying coffee. everyone did but you get used to it! =D so stick it out for the first week or so. you wil then be trained on register. (writing on cups, ect) never be afraid to ask for help! you will be corrected most of the time. btu dont worry they are only trying to help you learn.=) then in a week or so you will be trined to make drinks. usually start out on frappachinos then move to the espresso bar. (never be afraid to ask for help!!!) sdont worry making the drinks isnt as hard as it seems.

the only skills you will really need is to just be friendly and godo to the customers. and provide legendary service. (legendary service is providing the customer with everythgn he/she needs. and just really striking up a conversation with them) you will get peopel who come in all the time. i work at a drive thru startbucks and just hung out of the drive thru window and talked to a woman for a half hour! lol just cause she always comes in al the time. she was saying how she was gong to the caribbean. and asked how old i was. im 19, she wanted to bring me back dome rum!haha it was funny. andyways you will just need to be friendly and open to everything.

a typical day is just dealing qith customers, good and bad. cleaning, doing dishes, just basic stuff

wht you shoudl watch out for is not talk talk about inappropriate things with the other partners, liek sex, (you could get in trouble for sexual harrassment) and not to swear while on the floor at work where customers can hear you =)


it can be stressful at times. i work at a very busy store and most new people dont show up after the first week. but trust me stick it out, learn and you will be fine! maybe you can find a store thats a bit slow paced. then go to a busy store where the time literally flies by. lol our store makes close to 8000$ a day while other stores usually only make around 3 or 4k
but thats about it! i love it there.

Answer 6

Watch out for cranky customers who HAVENT had there morning coffee and dont like what you made.


they will teach you the machines... how to make the popular ones first. your training will take more than a few days unless you catch on fast.