As a previous Starbucks partner who left on good terms after four years, I had hoped for a more professional and respectful interview process. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. After submitting my application, it took the manager two weeks just to initiate next steps to confirm “re-hire eligibility.” When the interview was finally scheduled, the manager showed up 20 minutes late due to a routine 1-on-1 with another shift lead. If the job prospect showed up 20 minutes late, it would send a bad message to the employer. I had a sense this opportunity was a bust from this first impression. The interview itself skipped any kind of warm-up or “tell me about yourself” and went straight into high-pressure questions about belonging, customer service, and teamwork. It lasted about an hour. I was told to expect a follow-up early the following week, regardless of the outcome. That follow-up never came, even after I had reached out again via email for reassurance. Overall, I felt the process lacked basic courtesy and professionalism. For someone who had previously committed years to the company, it was disappointing to be treated with so little regard. I had high expectations coming into this, and sadly, they weren’t met.