20 Philz Coffee Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to coffee, Philz Coffee knows a thing or two. This popular coffee shop chain has locations primarily in the Bay Area, and is known for its delicious coffee and friendly baristas. If you’re looking to land a job at Philz Coffee, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Philz Coffee interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence. We’ll cover topics like customer service, coffee knowledge, and more. So whether you’re a barista-in-training or a seasoned coffee pro, read on to learn more about how to ace your Philz Coffee interview.

Philz Coffee Interview Process

The interview process at Philz Coffee is generally pretty casual. You can expect to talk through some potential scenarios and be asked about your experience and why you want to work for Philz. In some cases, you may be interviewed by a store manager or other leader, but usually the interviews are pretty low-key. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with friendly interviewer

1. Do you have experience working with a coffee machine?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the type of coffee machine they use at Philz. If you do, share your experience and explain how it’s similar or different from the one used by Philz. If you don’t have experience working with a coffee machine like theirs, talk about your interest in learning more about coffee machines and their functions.

Example: “I’ve worked with several types of coffee machines throughout my career, including espresso machines that make single cups of coffee as well as drip coffee makers. I’m very familiar with the process of making specialty coffees and would be excited to learn more about the specific features of the coffee maker Philz uses.”

2. Why do you want to work at Philz?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When you answer this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the company and can explain why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I want to work at Philz because I love coffee shops and have heard so many good things about Philz. I also really enjoy working with customers and making sure they have an amazing experience. I think my customer service skills would be a great fit for Philz.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, think about the skills you have that are relevant to the position.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills. I’m also highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me great at following processes and procedures. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on my work that I forget to take breaks. This has happened before when I was working as a barista, but I’ve learned to set alarms on my phone to remind myself to take short breaks throughout the day.”

4. How would you handle an upset customer?

This question can help interviewers assess your customer service skills. When answering, it can be helpful to give an example of a time you helped resolve a conflict with a customer and the steps you took to do so.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like their coffee. I listened to them explain why they were unhappy and apologized for their experience. Then, I offered to remake their drink or refund their money. They decided to try another cup of coffee, and when they tried it again, they said it tasted much better. By listening to them and offering solutions, we were able to resolve the issue.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to prioritize, how did you choose what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities. When answering, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you had multiple projects or assignments due at the same time and how you managed them effectively.

Example: “In my last position as a barista, I was responsible for making coffee drinks, preparing food orders and handling customer service inquiries. One day, there were several customers in line waiting for their drinks and food. I decided that taking care of the customers first would be most important because they were waiting on me. After serving all of the customers, I then prepared the food and drink orders.”

6. Are you comfortable lifting 25-50lbs on a daily basis?

Philz is a coffee shop that serves specialty drinks, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re physically capable of lifting heavy objects. If you have experience working in a similar environment, share it with them.

Example: “I’ve worked as a barista for five years now, and I’m comfortable lifting 25-50lbs on a daily basis. In my current position, we use large machines to grind beans and brew coffee, but I am familiar with manual brewing methods. I can lift bags of beans weighing up to 50lbs.”

7. Describe your experience in the food industry.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience in the food industry and how it relates to working at Philz Coffee. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills you have that can help you succeed in a coffee shop setting, such as customer service or teamwork.

Example: “I’ve worked in the food industry for five years now, starting out as a barista at a local coffee shop before moving on to work as a server at a restaurant. I learned a lot from both positions, including how to interact with customers and manage my time effectively. In my current role, I am responsible for making specialty coffees and ensuring customers are satisfied with their orders.”

8. What is your favorite drink from Philz Coffee?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with the company’s products and services. It also allows you to show your personality, as it can be difficult to answer this question without smiling or laughing.

Example: “My favorite drink from Philz Coffee is the Mint Mojito Cold Brew. I love minty coffee drinks, and this one has just the right amount of sweetness and caffeine for me. The cold brew is smooth and refreshing, and the mint flavor is strong enough that I can taste it but not so much that it overpowers the coffee.”

9. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the workplace, especially when working with a team of baristas. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and learn from it.

Example: “In my last position as a barista at a coffee shop, I was working on a project with two other baristas. We were all making different types of drinks for customers, but we had to make sure they matched up so that there weren’t any mistakes. One day, one of the baristas made a drink that didn’t match what the customer ordered. It wasn’t a big deal, but it did cause some confusion.

I talked to the baristas about how to avoid these kinds of situations in the future. We decided to create a system where each person would write down their orders before starting them. This way, we could check our work more thoroughly and ensure that everything matched.”

10. Have you ever worked as a shift lead before?

If you’re applying for a management position, the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills. If you haven’t worked as a shift lead before, consider describing an experience where you had to take on additional responsibilities or act as a leader in a group setting.

Example: “I’ve never worked as a shift lead at any of my previous jobs, but I have taken on that role when working with friends and family members on projects. For example, I helped organize a large family reunion last year, which required me to delegate tasks among many people and make sure everyone was prepared for their roles.”

11. Tell us why you think you’d be a good fit for this position.

Employers ask this question to see if you’ve done your research on the company and its culture. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description and familiarize yourself with what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. In your answer, try to highlight any skills or experiences that match up with their expectations.

Example: “I think I’d be a great fit for this position because of my passion for coffee and customer service. I love working in a fast-paced environment where I can interact with customers and help them have a positive experience. I also understand how important it is to maintain quality standards when making coffee drinks. My attention to detail and ability to multitask would allow me to excel in this role.”

12. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional in a challenging situation, so it’s important to answer honestly and give an example of a time when you did just that.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like the coffee I made for them. Instead of getting defensive or angry, I calmly explained that we make our coffee with fresh beans every day and that sometimes customers don’t enjoy the taste of certain beans. The customer apologized and said they would try another cup.”

13. What would you do if someone took something that wasn’t theirs?

This question is a behavioral one, which means the interviewer wants to know how you would respond in a specific situation. This can be an opportunity for you to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “I would first ask them if they realized it was someone else’s property. If they didn’t, I would explain that it wasn’t theirs and offer to help them find what they were looking for. If they still insisted on taking it, I would politely tell them that I couldn’t let them do so and call my manager over to handle the situation.”

14. What hours are you available to work?

Philz is a 24-hour coffee shop, so the interviewer wants to know if you’re available for late night shifts. If you have experience working in a similar environment, mention it and explain why you enjoy it. If not, let them know that you are willing to work any shift they need filled.

Example: “I am available to work any shift at Philz Coffee. I’ve worked many different hours throughout my career, including nights and weekends. I find that I’m most productive when I get enough sleep, so I would prefer to work during regular business hours. However, I understand that sometimes we need to work later than usual.”

15. How well do you work under pressure?

This question is a great way to assess how well you perform in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were under pressure and the steps you took to overcome it.

Example: “I thrive under pressure because I know that it’s an opportunity for me to prove myself. In my last position as a barista at a coffee shop, we had a rush of customers come in right before closing. We didn’t have enough employees on duty to handle all of the orders, so I volunteered to stay late to help out. It was challenging, but I managed to get through it by focusing on each order one at a time.”

16. Do you have any experience managing a team of people?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any management experience and how well you might fit in with their team. If you don’t have previous management experience, you can talk about a time when you were part of a large project or helped someone else complete a task.

Example: “I’ve never been formally promoted to manager, but I did work as an assistant manager at my last job for two years. In this role, I was responsible for scheduling employees, training new hires and helping customers. This experience has given me valuable insight into what it takes to be a good leader.”

17. Can you tell me about a time where you helped make a positive change to your workplace?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re willing to help improve the company and make it more efficient. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous job where you helped implement change or made improvements to the workplace.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our coffee shop was running low on milk quite often. This meant we had to run out of some drinks like cappuccinos for customers who ordered them. I talked with my manager about this issue, and together we decided to order larger quantities of milk so we wouldn’t have to worry about running out as much. We also started offering non-dairy alternatives for customers who wanted those instead.”

18. What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, consider the job description and what skills are most relevant to the position.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always able to stay calm when there are many tasks to complete at once or if customers become upset. My weakness would be my lack of experience working in a coffee shop setting. While I’ve worked as a barista for several years, I haven’t had much opportunity to work in a high-volume environment like Philz Coffee.”

19. If we were to call your previous manager, what would he/she say about you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s work ethic and how they interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that your manager would say about you.

Example: “My previous manager would probably tell you that I am very dedicated to my job and always willing to help out when needed. She would also say that I’m an excellent communicator who is able to resolve conflicts effectively.”

20. Is there anything else we should know about you?

This question is a great opportunity to show your personality and unique qualities. It’s also an excellent way to address any concerns the interviewer may have about you, so be honest and straightforward in your answer.

Example: “I’m very passionate about coffee, but I know that Philz has a reputation for being a bit more laid-back than other third wave shops. I promise that if I get hired here, I’ll work hard to make sure all of our customers are happy with their experience.”