20 Caribou Coffee Interview Questions and Answers

Caribou Coffee is a coffee company that is passionate about quality coffee. They believe that if you put passion and hard work into your coffee, the outcome will be a quality product. Caribou Coffee is always looking for new ways to improve their coffee, and they want to hire employees who share their passion for quality coffee.

If you’re interested in working for Caribou Coffee, you should be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions. In this article, we’ll give you some examples of questions you might be asked in an interview for a position at Caribou Coffee.

Caribou Coffee Interview Process

The interview process at Caribou Coffee is generally quick and efficient. The interviewer will ask standard questions, keep the tone of the interview light, and offer the job immediately out of the interview. However, some applicants report feeling uncomfortable during the interview due to personal questions that are not related to the job. Overall, the experience is generally positive and casual, with most applicants being offered the job on the spot.

1. Why do you want to work at Caribou Coffee?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the company and its values. When you answer, make sure to highlight what attracted you to Caribou Coffee in the first place.

Example: “I want to work at Caribou Coffee because I love coffee and I believe that this company makes some of the best coffee around. I also appreciate how much Caribou Coffee cares about its customers and employees. The company’s mission statement really resonates with me, and I think it would be an honor to work here.”

2. What is your experience with customer service and food preparation?

Caribou Coffee is a coffee shop that also serves food and beverages. The company wants to know if you have experience working in the food service industry, as well as customer service experience.

Example: “I worked at a local restaurant for three years where I learned how to prepare many different types of meals. I was promoted to head chef after two years on the job, which required me to manage a team of chefs and ensure we were all making quality dishes. In my current position, I am responsible for greeting customers when they arrive, taking their orders and ensuring they are happy with their meal.”

3. How would you describe your personality?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how it might fit in with the company culture. When answering this question, try to be honest while also showing your positive qualities.

Example: “I would describe myself as someone who is passionate, hardworking and outgoing. I love being around people and am always looking for ways to make others feel welcome and appreciated. I’m also very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work.”

4. If a guest was unhappy with their order, how would you handle the situation?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation you’ve encountered in the past where you helped a guest with their order or resolved a complaint.

Example: “If a guest was unhappy with their order, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would ask them what they were looking for from Caribou Coffee and how we could improve our products and services to meet their needs. If they had a specific request, I would do my best to accommodate them.”

5. Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry customer?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. When answering this question, try to focus on your problem-solving skills rather than the customer’s behavior.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like their drink. I listened to them carefully and asked questions to make sure that I understood what they were saying. Then, I made them another drink and explained why we use certain ingredients in our drinks. They ended up being very happy with their new drink.”

6. Describe a time where you were part of a team that was not working well together. What did you do?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the issue or improve your team’s communication.

Example: “I was working on a project with a group of people who were all very talented in their own ways. However, they did not communicate well with each other and often had conflicting ideas about what should happen next. I decided that we needed to have a meeting where everyone could voice their opinions and concerns. After hearing everyone out, we came up with a plan that would allow everyone to contribute.”

7. Do you have any experience handling money in a fast-paced environment?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can handle the responsibilities of working in a coffee shop. If you have experience handling money, explain what your duties were and how they helped you develop skills that will help you succeed at Caribou Coffee.

Example: “I worked as a cashier for two years at my local grocery store. I was responsible for counting out change and making sure customers had their correct change. This required me to be fast-paced and accurate with my math skills. I also developed customer service skills by learning how to interact with different types of people.”

8. Are you comfortable working on your feet for long periods of time?

This question is a good way to determine if the position you’re interviewing for will be physically demanding. If it’s not, you can explain that you are comfortable working on your feet and provide an example of how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my feet for long periods of time. In fact, I find it energizing. When I was working as a barista at Caribou Coffee, I would often work through my breaks just because I enjoyed being there so much. One day, I even worked through my lunch break because we were short-staffed.”

9. Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or coworker.

This question is a great way to show your passion for customer service and teamwork. When answering, think of an example that highlights your ability to work with others and shows how you can be helpful in a team setting.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working the drive-thru window when a customer came through who had ordered their drink incorrectly. Instead of just fixing it, I offered to remake the entire order at no charge so they could get exactly what they wanted. They were very appreciative and told me they would tell all their friends about our coffee shop.”

10. Have you ever worked as a manager before?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. If you haven’t, it’s okay to say so, but you should also explain what management skills you possess that would help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I’ve never worked as a manager before, however I do believe my communication skills are quite strong. I am able to clearly communicate expectations to employees and provide constructive feedback when needed. I’m also very organized and detail-oriented which helps me keep track of employee schedules and tasks.”

11. Tell us about your previous management experience.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have management experience and can use it in the workplace. If you don’t have any previous management experience, consider talking about how you’ve managed projects or teams in the past.

Example: “I’ve been managing my own freelance business for the last five years. I started out as an independent contractor, but now I hire other freelancers to work with me on various projects. This has given me valuable insight into what makes a good manager.”

12. We are looking for someone who can train new employees. Can you provide an example of a time when you trained a new employee?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to train others. When answering this question, think of a time when you trained someone on the job or helped them learn something new.

Example: “When I was working as a barista at my previous coffee shop, we hired two new employees who were both college students. One of the employees had never worked in a coffee shop before, so I spent some extra time training her on how to make drinks and use our equipment. The other employee had experience but needed help with customer service. I showed her how to be more friendly and helpful to customers.”

13. What do you think makes a good leader?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what makes a good leader and why those qualities are important.

Example: “I think a good leader should have strong communication skills, as well as the ability to motivate others. I also believe that leaders should be able to make decisions on their own without having to ask for permission from someone else. In my last position, I was promoted to shift supervisor because of these very traits.”

14. How many years of barista experience do you have?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the experience necessary for this role. If you don’t have any barista experience, consider talking about other customer service or hospitality roles you’ve had in the past.

Example: “I have five years of barista experience and I’m looking forward to applying my skills at Caribou Coffee. I believe that if passion, hard work and excellence go into an endeavor, the outcome will be a quality product. That’s why I am so excited to join this company.”

15. Which shift are you available to work?

This question is a great way to determine if you are available for the hours that Caribou Coffee needs. If they ask this, it’s likely because they have an opening on one of their shifts and want to know if you can work those hours. Be sure to check out the company website or call them ahead of time to see what times they’re open before you answer so you can be prepared with your availability.

Example: “I am available to work any shift from 6am-2pm Monday through Friday. I understand that there may be some days where I need to work other hours due to special events or holidays, but I’m happy to do whatever is needed.”

16. When dealing with customers, what do you feel is most important?

This question is a great way to determine how the candidate will interact with customers. It’s important that your baristas are friendly and helpful, so you can ask them what they feel is most important when interacting with customers.

Example: “I believe it’s most important to be genuine in my interactions with customers. I always try to make sure that I’m smiling and being as kind as possible. If someone asks me for help or advice, I do my best to give them an honest answer. I also think it’s important to remember that everyone has different preferences and needs. For example, some people like their coffee black while others prefer cream and sugar.”

17. What is your favorite thing about working in coffee shops?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the industry and what you enjoy most about working in coffee shops. You can use this opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for Caribou Coffee.

Example: “My favorite thing about working in coffee shops is getting to meet new people every day. I love hearing their stories, learning about their lives and making them feel welcome. It’s also rewarding to see customers leave with a smile on their face after enjoying one of our delicious drinks.”

18. In addition to preparing drinks, we also ask our baristas to clean tables, take out trash and stock supplies. Would you be okay with doing these tasks?

This question is a good way to determine if the applicant will be willing to do all of the tasks that are required in this position. If you’re hiring for an entry-level barista, it’s likely they’ll need to perform these duties at some point.

Example: “I’m happy to help with any task that needs doing. I understand that we have a lot of customers and sometimes things get busy. I know how important it is to keep our stores clean and tidy so that customers can enjoy their experience.”

19. At Caribou Coffee, we believe that everyone deserves a great cup of coffee every day. What do you think makes a great cup of coffee?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of coffee and how you can apply it in the workplace. You should answer this question by describing what makes a good cup of coffee, but also why that’s important to you.

Example: “I think a great cup of coffee has three main components. First, it needs to be fresh. Coffee loses its flavor quickly, so I always make sure to brew it right away. Second, it needs to be hot. A cold cup of coffee just isn’t as enjoyable. Finally, it needs to have a smooth texture. If there are any grounds or lumps in my coffee, I won’t enjoy it.”

20. Our store stays very busy during rush hour. How would you handle this type of pressure?

This question is a great way to see how you would handle working in a fast-paced environment. It’s also an opportunity for the interviewer to learn more about your customer service skills and ability to multitask.

Example: “I love being busy, as it means I’m helping customers get their coffee fix while providing them with excellent service. In my last position, we were always very busy during rush hour, so I learned how to prioritize tasks and delegate work to other employees when needed. This helped us keep our customers happy and served them quickly.”