Getting hired as a barista at Target is no easy task. With competition fiercer than ever, you need to enter that interview ready to brew up the perfect cup of coffee responses.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through the top 25 barista interview questions Target is likely to ask You’ll get the inside scoop on what the recruiter really wants to hear in your answers, along with examples that will help you stand out from the crowd
Whether you’re a rookie barista or a seasoned pro, these targeted interview tips will help you master the Target interview and start crafting lattes behind the Bullseye soon. So grab a cup o’ joe and let’s get started!
1. What experience do you have with the Starbucks menu?
Frequency of Entities
- Starbucks – 2
Straight off the bat, Target wants to know you can work their Starbucks-licensed cafes without too much training. Show them you already know the ins and outs of the Starbucks menu – from classic coffees to seasonal specials:
“I’m very familiar with the entire Starbucks menu from my 3 years as a barista there. I can make their staple drinks like lattes and Americanos in my sleep and I’m also well-versed in their seasonal offerings like the Pumpkin Spice Latte.”
2. How would you handle an unhappy customer during a rush?
Frequency of Entities:
- customer – 3
Target needs baristas who can placate unhappy coffee-lovers, even when the cafe is swamped. Assure them you’ll apologize sincerely and do whatever it takes to make the moment right:
“I’d apologize sincerely for the issue and do my very best to correct it immediately if possible. If not, I’d explain there may be a short wait due to the rush but I’ll personally bring their order out as soon as it’s ready and make sure they’re satisfied.”
3. How would you encourage checkout customers to visit the café?
Frequency of Entities:
- customer – 2
- cafe – 2
This question tests your sales abilities. Share creative tactics for tempting shoppers to grab a drink or snack while they wait:
“I’d have attractive signs with daily specials at the checkout line and offer free samples of popular drinks or baked goods to entice them to stop by the café on their way out. A time-limited happy hour promotion could create urgency and drive impulse purchases too.”
4. How do you handle multitasking as a barista?
Target needs to know you can smoothly juggle taking orders, prepping drinks, restocking – and still give top-notch customer service. Talk up your organization and time management skills:
“I tackle the most urgent tasks first during peak times, like taking orders and restocking essentials. I use slower periods to complete other duties like thorough cleaning. Staying flexible and keeping a running task list allows me to multitask efficiently without compromising on quality or cleanliness.”
5. How would you create an inviting café atmosphere?
Frequency of Entities:
- cafe – 2
Here’s your chance to demonstrate you understand the barista’s role goes beyond just crafting coffee. Share your best tips for making the cafe a warm, welcoming place for all:
“I’d create an inviting café atmosphere by keeping the area tidy, greeting every guest with a smile, getting to know regulars by name and their favorite orders, and ensuring speedy but high quality preparation of drinks and food. It’s all about making guests feel special the moment they walk in.”
6. Tell us about a time you implemented a suggestion to improve service.
Target wants baristas who actively solicit and implement feedback to improve operations. Use a real example that shows you take suggestions seriously:
“When several customers requested non-dairy options besides soy, I suggested we start offering almond milk. My manager agreed to test it and the response was very positive. This taught me to always listen to customer feedback and adjust our offerings accordingly to better meet their needs.”
7. How comfortable are you using a digital register and handling card payments?
You’ll be processing lots of cashless purchases, so highlight your digital proficiency:
“I’m very adept at using digital ordering systems and securely handling electronic payments, thanks to extensive experience in previous retail roles. Accuracy and efficiency are top priorities for me when it comes to managing transactions and customer information.”
8. How would you handle a complaint about another area of the store?
Demonstrate you understand representing the Target brand, even outside your department:
“If a customer complained to me about another area of the store, I’d listen kindly, express understanding, assure them I will address it, and either resolve it if I can or immediately involve the appropriate department manager. Following up with the customer is also essential to ensure their issue is fully resolved.”
9. How have you handled high stress situations during rush periods?
Show you can keep your cool under pressure by sharing an example:
“In my barista experience, the best way I’ve found to handle high stress rush periods is to take a quick breath, review pending orders, delegate tasks with colleagues if needed, and tackle orders one at a time. It’s also essential to keep communicating clearly with both customers and team members to manage expectations.”
10. Have you dealt with any food safety issues? What did you do?
Target needs to know you understand food safety and will be proactive addressing any concerns. Keep your answer clear and direct:
“Yes, when receiving a questionable delivery once, I immediately notified my supervisor and we determined not to serve the items, then contacted the vendor for replacement. Customer health is too important to take risks.”
11. What if you run out of a popular item before new stock arrives?
Show you can turn frustration into opportunity with creative customer service:
“I’d be honest about the item being out but offer sincere apologies and suggest a similar tasty alternative they may enjoy. If they seem unsure, I’d offer a small sample to help them decide. Taking their name and notifying them of restock also turns a negative into a positive experience.”
12. How does the barista role fit into Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility?
This is your chance to show you care about aligning your work with the company’s values.
“Target’s commitment to sustainability, diversity and community engagement starts at the cafe counter. From sourcing ethical ingredients to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment, every aspect of my barista role allows me to contribute to Target’s mission of responsible corporate citizenship.”
13. How would you ensure drink quality consistency?
They want baristas who take standards seriously. Be specific on how you’ll achieve uniform excellence:
“To ensure consistent drink quality, I would precisely follow recipes, monitor equipment performance, regularly taste-test samples, and continuously hone my preparation techniques. Strict adherence to Target’s methods and training is essential, along with openly communicating with my peers and managers to identify any consistency issues.”
14. How can you upsell products without being pushy?
Show you understand it’s about making nuanced recommendations with the customer’s experience in mind:
“Skillful upselling is providing value, not just pushing products. I achieve this by getting to know guests’ preferences, then making carefully tailored suggestions when I think there’s something they may enjoy. But I only recommend – never insist. This soft approach means upselling enhances, rather than detracts from, the guest’s experience.”
15. Do you have any ideas to improve the café experience?
Now’s your chance to flaunt your creativity and passion for delighting customers. Share one of your best ideas:
“One idea I have to enhance the cafe experience is a loyalty program that rewards regulars with surprise periodic perks like free add-ons, bonus loyalty points or exclusive promotions. Small, unexpected delights like this build lasting connections with guests.”
16. How do you communicate allergen information to customers?
Reassure the interviewer you understand the gravity of food allergies:
“Food allergies can be life-threatening so I take precautions very seriously. I make sure I’m fully versed in the ingredients and preparation methods of everything we serve and can knowledgeably answer any allergen-related questions customers have to ensure we meet their dietary needs.”
17. How do seasonal trends impact café sales?
Demonstrate your business acumen by explaining how you stay nimble based on changing consumer behavior:
“As seasons change, the cafe needs to adapt its menu and marketing accordingly. For example, refreshing iced coffees tend to sell better in summer. Come fall, highlighting pumpkin spice drinks and soups draws customers in. Being flexible to match seasonal purchasing patterns is crucial for maintaining steady sales all year round.”
18. What if a colleague isn’t pulling their weight during a rush?
Show you know how to handle performance issues professionally to avoid negatively affecting the customer or team dynamic:
“If a team member wasn’t pulling their weight during a busy time, I would speak to them privately first to understand any issues. If needed, I would discreetly involve our supervisor to remedy the situation constructively and get performance back on track, while maintaining positive workplace relationships.”
19. Tell us about a time
Sample prompts to practice
You may want to practice your responses to the interview prompts or download the guide to prepare. If you use our practice questions, keep in mind that these are just examples of possible interview questions. The questions you are asked will be different. It’s a great way to practice keeping your answers brief, aim for five minutes per answer, and concise.
- Tell us about your background, past jobs, training, or other experiences that have made you ready for this job. Why do you want this job? List any skills, experiences, or traits that are relevant. This question is assessing job knowledge.
- Tell me about how you deal with people who don’t agree with you. How do you make a place that is fair and unbiased? This question is about how inclusive it is.
- Describe how you partner with others to find creative solutions. This question is about connection: how do you use your relationships to find partners and problems to look into?
- Describe how you make sure your work is impactful. What criteria do you use to figure out what the best way to do a project or solve a problem is? This question is testing drive.
How to use this guide
This is meant to help you understand the Target interview process better so that you know what to expect. Here are some interview tips to get you thinking about the process. Remember that these are just suggestions; you don’t have to follow them.
- You can always get in touch with your recruiter if you have any questions about the process or need reasonable accommodations during the interview.
- You can also look at the rest of our careers website to find out more about working at Target, our culture, and our core values.
- You might want to read the job posting again and pay more attention to better understand the role.
- You could come up with questions about the leader, the team, Target’s business, or what it’s like to make our guests happy.
- Some people like to prepare for interviews by practicing how they would answer questions about their work history and learning experiences. It’s a great way to remember what you’ve done at work or school, like how you overcame problems or reached your goals, or how you worked with others on a project. The business problems you’ve solved in the past help you do your job better.
This is your chance to show off your skills and find out more about the role, the team, the leader, and Target.
- To begin, you will be introduced, and then the interviewer will explain the job and what they hope to learn about you. This takes about five minutes.
- Try to keep your interview conversational.
- Manage your response time to each question. Aim for about five minutes per question.
- To do well on the job, you should give answers that are related to the skills and values listed in each question.
- Make sure that your answers focus on the skills that are needed for the job and the processes or certifications that are relevant. Talk about important people, things, and resources that you should think about when you’re trying to solve problems at work.
- Thank your interviewer for their time and confirm next steps.
- If you don’t get an offer for a job, look at other jobs that might be a better fit for your skills and ask about them.
BARISTA Interview Questions And Answers (Starbucks, Costa Coffee Barista Jobs!)
FAQ
How do I prepare for a barista interview?
What questions does Target ask in an interview?
Why do you want to work at Target best answer?
What is a barista interview?
Let’s face it: A barista interview is more than just a play on sweet talk with customers or racing against the clock. It’s a test of your craft. This is one big question that will pop up front and center. The Art of Steaming Milk
What do Starbucks Interviewers look for in a barista?
Working as a barista in a busy Starbucks requires multitasking and staying organized. Interviewers want to know that you can handle the stress of a busy environment and still provide excellent customer service. They want to see that you have the ability to remain calm and professional, even when the line of customers is long.
What do Interviewers look for in a coffee barista?
The interviewer isn’t just looking for a run-of-the-mill barista. They’re looking for someone who excels at crafting various coffee styles confidently. Plus, you’ve got to be able to explain the intricacies to a curious customer. Sounds tough? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The Coffee Basics
What is a critical barista interview question?
This is a critical barista interview question that just loves to poke its head out unannounced. Why is this important, you wonder? Simple. Your interviewer wants to gauge: Your ability to flex and stretch with trends. How swiftly you can turn around consumer demands. Your knack for handling sudden changes without breaking a sweat.
