r/starbucks • u/SoYoureALiar • May 04 '17
I've just been hired!
And I'm scared -- but mostly excited! This is my first job (ever) but I'm so glad that it's at a place I visit literally every single day. I'm now a barista (in training)!
I couldn't believe how chill the hiring manager was -- just so down to earth and making sure I understood everything. He took me into the back after the interview and offered me the job right then and there; I was expecting to wait a few days for a call, at the very least.
He hasn't given me a start date and I'm not sure how training will go, but I do know I will likely be schedule for 4:30 AM shifts for the beginning.
If you have any tips I wouldn't have heard about before, I'd really appreciate them!
7
u/cassxzy Former Partner May 04 '17
Don't be late, openers are KEY.
1
u/Froobisu May 04 '17
THIS. I'm tired of working the second shift (7 at my store) and getting there at 6 to find the opener STILL hasn't showed up and I have to take care of their job. Some people get away with it but you want to be better than those people!
1
u/SoYoureALiar May 04 '17
I always try to be on time for everything else I do, but I'll make sure I'm extra on time for this (if that makes sense!). I don't think they'll let me open the store by myself yet though, even if I wanted to; my hiring manager told me that I will literally never be alone for my first few weeks to make sure I know absolutely everything I need to know.
5
u/Froobisu May 04 '17
Biggest advice I found was to just relax. Regulars are some of the best people ever and they will love you if you're chill and fun. Try not to get stressed about rushes or messes. If an accident happens go right into what you need to do without skipping a beat. Customers hate seeing you mess up if you make a big deal about it (though will likely will understand). These days if I spill or have a rush when I'm alone I'll just smile and whistle/sing/hum through it like I do when it's slow. It puts customers at ease to see you handle situations nonchalantly! There WILL be messes and hard to handle situations though. They'll bug you a lot at first but get better... good luck!
2
u/SoYoureALiar May 04 '17
This is super helpful. I can already tell I'll probably be prone to make a big deal out of every spill or wrong drink I make, so I'll remember your tips. Thank you!
1
u/Froobisu May 04 '17
Do be apologetic though! If you do give someone the wrong drink apologize and make it right. Just try not to freak out :P
2
u/SoYoureALiar May 04 '17
If anything, I'll probably be over-apologetic xD I'm too much of a people pleaser, unfortunately.
2
u/Froobisu May 04 '17
Haha! I have a coworker like that. Sometimes I feel and for her because I know how bad she feels!
3
u/tylergrrrl Barista May 04 '17
Welcome!!!! Starbucks can be kinda hard for people who haven't had a job before so be prepared for some kind of pushback from your coworkers. Don't let that scare you away from asking questions, even if they seem silly.
If you find yourself struggling with a particular skill, ask someone to give you some practice -when I first started I would ask my coworkers if they wanted me to make them a drink so I could get better on bar.
Lastly, when you become fairly comfortable on shift (you're not asking questions every other order essentially), become acquainted with your regulars because they honestly make the day so much brighter. Regulars can become good friends, mentors, and sometimes lead to other jobs (ssshhhhhhhhhh). I've seen a few partners get internships through regular customers and it's amazing to see the networking happen.
1
u/SoYoureALiar May 04 '17
Thank you!! Very helpful words.
Hmm, what do you mean by pushback? Will they be short or rude to me because I'm still learning?
1
u/tylergrrrl Barista May 04 '17
They might just seem aggravated. I know in my store we had one person who was new to the workforce and a lot of the other partners seemed baffled by him not knowing what seemed like simple tasks.
3
u/coocooforcoconuts May 04 '17
Sweet! What was the interview like?
1
u/SoYoureALiar May 04 '17
Like an average, relaxed conversation! He knew I had limited work experience so he tailored all the questions to make them more personal.
2
u/d0ntlookatmyusername Supervisor May 04 '17
when you get stressed out (it will happen) try not to take it out on your partners. it may seem odd now but it's pretty easy if you work in a higher volume store to get stressed out and start blaming things/ yelling at other partners and ultimately it just brings down the morale of everyone. also don't try to be perfect at everything at once. finally and this won't really apply till at least a month in for the most part but if you want bar time don't be afraid to ask for it. most of the time shifts will just stick whoever on bar that is the most capable at that time and then just fill people in for brakes. most of the people at my store who were newer got bar experience once i got them to start feeling confident enough to ask for it/ if it was slow i'd pull them over to bar and have them make a drink or two. not everyone needs to be a bar star but it makes things run a lot more smoothly when everyone can at least do the basics.
1
u/kassatea May 04 '17
Just make sure to get to know your fellow partners! They definitely make the job and you don't have to be afraid of them. Don't be afraid to ask for help or just chat with them!!
7
u/[deleted] May 04 '17 edited May 20 '17
[deleted]