Starbucks Philippines Interview (Store Manager & District Manager)

Photo not mine

After passing the initial interview for Starbucks, this would be your next step. So if you read my first post regarding Starbucks Interview, it was held September 9, 2015, Wednesday. Thursday, I received a text again from Starbucks. 

                                        

I was surprised that it took me just a day to wait for it. They told us that it might take us 2-3 weeks of waiting... Well that was fast! 😂 So yeah, that night my heart didn't stop from beating fast. My stomach keeps on turning since it's the last interview I'll have for this application. So I prepared what I would wear and thought of possible things that they might ask. Ms. Ma-Ann and Janine told us that it would be situational kinda questions. Based on experiences, skills or what you'll offer for them. 

TIP: Prepare yourself for hard questions about yourself experiences or hard situations. Think and practice answering so you'll not be as nervous when interview day comes. 

I woke up 7:15 am which is an hour late for the supposed time I'd wake up. ( I don't use alarm, pet peeve) This time, I made sure that I'm not gonna be late since it's just near. So I took off by 8 am and arrived there quarter before 9 am. To my surprise, there were 11 more people there already waiting outside Starbucks Robinsons Las Piñas. So I decided to take a seat and wait as well. My heart's pumping already. This is it! So a guy came handing me a sheet of paper and told me to write my name at the attendance then a few more people added. We're about 20 when they started calling names. I gladly talked to the girl who sat in front of me to ease my worry and tension. Her name is Fritzkhan and we talked about our journey during our first interview and about personal stuff. It was nice meeting a new friend during hard times like that. 

In case you're wondering, a district manager handles a set of stores in a certain area where he supervises them. (Higher than store manager) so I guess that's the reason why there are lots of interviewees that day, since we're all from the south. There are 6-8 store managers of different branches inside and one district manager. 

Store Manager Interview 

So I got called after 15minutes of waiting and I followed him inside. He's the store manager of the branch they're assigning me (if ever). It's not my choice of branch but atleast it's near my house (30 mins travel, heavy traffic time included) I think they would place you where you're near or where you preferred to be assigned. 

So it started with greeting each other and handshake, and he asked me to introduce myself. (Same with the initial interview) then followed by 10 or more questions. It lasted for 30-35mins.  Mostly about the skills, experiences, and situations. It's really just easy if you really analyze the questions. Big questions were Why should we hire you? What can you offer in helping the store? Do you value (specific skills, or personality) and how? He's very easy to talk to since he's still young. During interview, he smiles and nods too from time to time so it's a sign that I'm doing a good job. 

After the interview, he smiled and thanked me and told me to wait outside if ever I'd be interviewed by the District Manager. So I waited with my friend again (she wasn't called yet) and it took them 20-25 mins before calling me back again since it's a continuous interview, I expected to wait for minutes since we only have 1 district manager so I needed to wait for my turn (if ever I passed store manager's interview) 

District Manager Interview

He told me to sit down in front of him just like the Store Manager and smiled. He introduced himself and we shook hands. So he reviewed my resumé and started asking me questions. First, introduction and then followed by 5 but less than 10 questions. Mostly the biggest questions, like What are your expectations when it comes to Starbucks? Tell me what kind of person are you, who is Zahra? I was also asked same questions with the recruiter. He's really approachable and easy to talk to so no need to be nervous. :) After the interview, he told me that they will just contact me after a week or two of processing for the training (if ever).

 Then I went out and joined my friend which still wasn't called. Haha i waited there for an hour with my other co applicants who became my friends as well and talked about the whole experience. 

TIPS

> Smile, it's always important to smile since you need to promote a friendly and good vibe if you're gonna work for service industry. 

> Dress appropriately and maintain the posture so you'd look credible and presentable. 

> Be polite, humble and confident. It's nice to brag a bit but just in right amount to impress them, you don't wanna look cocky. Right?

> Always answer on point. Don't ramble, less is better. But not too less to the point that you don't make any sense at all. 

> Maintain eye contact, I know it's hard especially when you're thinking. I myself had a hard time with this since it's a habit of mine to look other ways when I'm thinking. But when they're talking and asking you, make sure to look at their eyes. 

> Be yourself, sell yourself, don't let the tension eat you. 

> Pray! Breathe in... Breathe out... Haha it helps to calm you down. 

> Make the most out of it, it's your last shot! Better to do your best than be regretful. 

So I wish you best of luck and may this help you pass! ❤️ See you around! ☺️