17 Starbucks Assistant Manager Interview Questions and Answers

From baristas to assistant managers, Starbucks employees are the face of the company. They provide excellent customer service, make great coffee, and keep the store running smoothly. If you’re applying for an assistant manager position, you’ll need to be able to answer a range of questions about your customer service skills, leadership experience, and knowledge of Starbucks’ policies and procedures.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions you’re likely to be asked in a Starbucks assistant manager interview, along with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you a people person?

This question is a common one for employers to ask because it helps them determine if you’re going to be able to work well with the customers and other employees. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize your interpersonal skills and how they help you connect with others.

Example: “I am definitely a people person. I love getting to know my customers and making their day better by providing them with delicious coffee. I also enjoy working with my coworkers and helping them learn new things. I feel that when everyone works together, we can achieve great things as a team. I’m always willing to lend a hand or answer questions.”

What are some of your greatest strengths as a Starbucks assistant manager?

This question is your opportunity to highlight some of the skills and abilities that make you a strong candidate for this position. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what makes you unique as an employee and how those strengths could benefit the company.

Example: “I believe my greatest strength as a Starbucks assistant manager would be my ability to work well under pressure. I’ve been in situations where there are long lines at the register or customers who need help finding something on the menu. In these moments, I try to remain calm and focused so that I can provide excellent customer service while also helping my team members complete their tasks.”

How would you handle a situation where an employee is not meeting your expectations?

As an assistant manager, you may need to address employee performance issues. An interviewer asks this question to learn how you would handle such a situation and if you have any experience doing so in the past. In your answer, share a specific example of when you addressed an employee’s performance issue and what steps you took to help them improve their skills or meet expectations.

Example: “In my last role as an assistant manager at a local restaurant, I noticed one of my servers was having trouble remembering orders. This caused some customers to leave unhappy because they had to wait longer for their food. After talking with the server about her performance, she told me that she was recently diagnosed with ADHD and was working on adjusting her medication. She asked for my advice on how to adjust her work schedule to accommodate her new treatment plan.”

What is your experience with managing inventory?

Inventory management is an important part of being a Starbucks assistant manager. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with inventory and how you manage it. Use examples from previous jobs to explain how you keep track of the company’s stock, order new products and ensure that stores have enough supplies for customers.

Example: “In my last position as a barista at a local coffee shop, I was responsible for keeping track of our stock levels and ordering new supplies when we were running low on something. I used a spreadsheet to record what we had in stock and ordered more items when needed. This helped me save money by only ordering what we needed instead of having extra supplies.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict between two employees.

As an assistant manager, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between employees. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with conflict resolution and how you would handle it in their company. In your answer, explain the steps you took to resolve the conflict and what the outcome was.

Example: “In my previous role as a barista, I had two other baristas who were constantly arguing about whose shift it was to clean the coffee machines. One of them felt like they were doing more work than the other, so they started leaving messes on purpose when it wasn’t their turn to clean. I talked to both of them separately and explained that we all need to help each other out and support one another. They apologized to each other and made a plan to rotate cleaning duties every week.”

If an emergency situation occurred and the store manager was not available, would you be able to step in and manage the store?

This question is an opportunity for you to show your leadership skills and ability to make quick decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to step in as the manager or leader of a team.

Example: “In my last position at a local coffee shop, I was working alone one day when our primary barista called out sick. The store manager wasn’t available, so I stepped in and helped serve customers while also making drinks behind the counter. It was challenging, but I was able to manage the situation until the store manager returned later that afternoon.”

What would you do if you noticed an employee taking a long break during a busy shift?

This question can help interviewers understand how you manage your team and ensure they’re working hard. Your answer should show that you value productivity, but also care about the well-being of your employees.

Example: “I would first ask them why they needed a break during their shift. If it was because they were feeling ill or had an emergency at home, I’d allow them to take the break. However, if they said they just wanted to take a break, I would remind them that we have a policy against taking breaks without permission from management. I would give them a warning and then follow up with another conversation later in the day to see if they understood our policies.”

How well do you handle stress?

Working as an assistant manager at Starbucks can be stressful. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to handle stress and remain calm in high-pressure situations. To answer, think of a time when you were stressed but still managed to perform well.

Example: “I find that the best way to manage stress is by taking deep breaths and remaining calm. I also try to focus on one task at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed. In my last position, there was a rush right before closing, and we had several customers who needed assistance. I took a few deep breaths and focused on helping each customer one at a time. By doing this, I was able to help all of the customers without feeling overwhelmed.”

Do you have any questions for me about the role of Starbucks assistant manager?

This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the position. It’s important to show that you’re interested in the role and prepared for it by asking thoughtful, well-researched questions.

Example: “I’m very excited about this opportunity at Starbucks. I’ve done a lot of research on the company and am familiar with its mission statement and values. One thing I noticed from my research was that there are many opportunities for advancement within the company. I know that as an assistant manager, I would be responsible for training new employees. I’m curious if there are any programs or resources available to help me develop my skills as a trainer.”

When was the last time you took a course to improve your skills as an employee or manager?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your commitment to professional development. It can also show them that you’re willing to take on challenges and improve yourself as a leader. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific course or training program you took part in recently.

Example: “I’ve been taking online courses through my university’s continuing education program for the past two years. I started out with an introductory business management class, which helped me get my foot in the door at Starbucks. Then, I decided to continue my studies by enrolling in a leadership certificate program. This program has given me the opportunity to develop my skills as a manager and prepare myself for future roles.”

We want to improve our customer service. What ideas do you have for doing so?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to improve the customer experience. When answering this question, think of ways you can make customers’ experiences more positive at Starbucks.

Example: “I believe that one way we could improve our customer service is by making sure all baristas are friendly and welcoming when they interact with customers. I would start a training program for new employees on how to be friendly and helpful to customers. Another idea is to have managers check in with their teams regularly to ensure everyone is providing excellent customer service.”

Describe your experience with using POS systems.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using technology in the workplace. This is because Starbucks uses a POS system for its employees to ring up customers and track sales. Your answer should include information about how you use POS systems, as well as any previous experience working with them.

Example: “I have used several different types of POS systems throughout my career. I find that they are very helpful when it comes to tracking customer orders and making sure we’re following company procedures. In my last role, I was responsible for training new employees on how to use our POS system. I found that I am quite good at explaining complicated processes to others.”

What makes you the best candidate for the Starbucks assistant manager position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this position. You can answer this question by highlighting a few of your strongest skills and experiences, such as leadership, communication or customer service.

Example: “I am passionate about providing excellent customer service to all customers who visit our store. I also have extensive experience managing teams of baristas and other employees. In my last role, I was responsible for hiring new team members and training them on company policies and procedures. This helped me develop strong interpersonal skills and gave me valuable insight into how to effectively train new employees.”

Which Starbucks stores do you like the most? Why?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in different types of stores. It also helps them understand what type of store you prefer to work in and how your preferences might fit with their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific aspects that make each Starbucks location unique.

Example: “I’ve worked at both urban locations and suburban locations. I enjoy the fast-paced environment of an urban location but appreciate the more laid-back atmosphere of a suburban one. Each location has its own unique challenges, which makes me feel like I’m always learning new things. In my last position, I was able to implement some of the strategies I learned from working in an urban location into the suburban one.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a Starbucks assistant manager should do every day?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the job and what it entails. It also allows you to show that you have done research on the company, its values and how they apply to this position. When answering this question, make sure to include information about the specific duties of an assistant manager at Starbucks.

Example: “I think the most important thing that a Starbucks assistant manager should do every day is ensure that their team members are happy and productive. I believe that if employees feel supported and valued, then they will be more likely to provide excellent customer service. This can lead to increased sales and overall success for the store.”

How often do you think an employee should take breaks during a shift?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your management style. They want to know how you balance the needs of employees with the demands of customers and company policy. In your answer, try to show that you understand the importance of breaks for employee health and productivity while also being mindful of customer service.

Example: “I think it’s important for employees to take regular breaks during their shifts. I’ve seen firsthand how taking a short break can help refresh an employee and make them better able to provide excellent customer service. However, I also believe in balancing the need for breaks with the needs of our customers. For example, if there are no other baristas available to cover my shift, I would feel obligated to stay at work until someone else could relieve me.”

There is a discrepancy between the inventory count and what the customer ordered. What would you do?

This question is designed to test your ability to resolve customer issues. It also tests your attention to detail and problem-solving skills. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use critical thinking skills to solve problems quickly.

Example: “I would first apologize to the customer for the inconvenience. Then I would ask them what they ordered. Next, I would check the inventory count to see if there was a mistake in our system. If there wasn’t a mistake, I would offer the customer another drink of their choice on the house. If there was a mistake, I would remake the drink with the correct ingredients.”