As a fellow outside shift hire- you may be met with a lot of animosity because the seasoned baristas WILL know more than you. Don’t be a shift that just because you’re a shift you refuse to listen to them. Let them correct you on drinks, especially until you’re more comfortable with them. Work with them, not over them.

When I was a shift at my first store, we got an external hire as our manager. Unfortunately, she was met with A LOT of push back from staff because…well she was meant to be in charge of us, but we all knew more than her. It was frustrating for all parties. I would say, go into the situation with the full knowledge and appreciation that you will be the least qualified person in your store in regards to Starbucks knowledge. Be open to training, guidance, and critiques from your partners. Since you have managerial experience, use that when it comes to deployment and time management. But be accepting of direction when it comes to how to be a Starbucks employee.

i was hired the same day as one of my shifts who was an external hire, we did our first sip together! the best things i’ve seen her do and recommend to you now is to accept that you will know less than people that you are in charge of. It will make shifts run so much more smoothly and one of the best ways to learn is picking up tips and tricks from seasoned baristas. Even though you’ll only get two weeks of barista training still try to learn all the drinks and how the espresso bar works. Understanding the workings of bar (drink making) makes you a smarter and better employee all around and my shift became so much better as she was able to understand espresso bar more. Lastly, and this goes for all shifts, check in on your employees. Move your employees around, it’s easy to get burned out on bar or drive so make sure you let everyone kinda reset their brain. If someone communicates they can’t do/don’t wanna do something you can accommodate it sure, but in general I love when I can start my day on one position but end it in another so I don’t get worn out.