Barista - Chicago - East 8th
Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you gave a customer great service. What did you do that made it stand out?
What they are checking: Whether they notice small things about people and go a step further without being asked.
How do you handle doing several things at once, like taking orders while drinks are piling up?
What they are checking: Whether they can stay organized and accurate when the store gets busy.
Tell me about a time you worked on a team and someone wasn't pulling their weight.
What they are checking: Whether they stay focused on getting the work done and handle it respectfully instead of complaining.
This is a part-time role with flexible hours. What does your schedule look like, and can we count on you for early mornings?
What they are checking: Whether they are dependable for the shifts the store actually needs covered.
What's your favorite coffee or tea, and why?
What they are checking: Whether they have some genuine curiosity about coffee, which Peet's says it cares deeply about.
What would you do
The line is long and a customer is frustrated about the wait. What would you say to them?
What they are checking: Whether they stay friendly and calm under pressure and keep working while they talk.
You hand a customer their drink and they say it's not what they ordered. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they fix the mistake quickly and kindly instead of arguing about who got it wrong.
Your shift lead asks you to switch from register to dish duty in the middle of a rush. How do you react?
What they are checking: Whether they are flexible and willing to do any task the team needs without attitude.
About the work
Have you ever made espresso drinks before? Walk me through how you'd make a cappuccino.
What they are checking: Whether they have basic bar knowledge or at least a clear willingness to learn the steps right.
What does a clean and safe work area look like to you behind a coffee bar?
What they are checking: Whether they take cleaning and food safety seriously as part of the job, not as an afterthought.
Practice this interview out loud.
Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Peet's Coffee from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.
Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Peet's Coffee.