How To Be A Barista?

There are many great ways to be a barista, from jumping right in and working at a big chain coffee shop like Starbucks or starting at an independent coffeehouse. No matter what coffee shop you apply to, chances are that they provide free barista training for new employees. Some coffee shop managers may prefer to have a little experience as a barista, while others look for those with more coffee knowledge.

There is no “right way” to become a barista, as each way is justified in its own right. To be sure, the “coffee industry” is a vast global field that employs millions of people worldwide, from the farmers to the processors, shippers, traders, green coffee buyers, coffee roasters, retailers, and baristas.

The most common connection that many of us have with the coffee world is with our local barista. The final ending point where the local supply chain of coffee finally meets the customer is the barista. As you can imagine, it is a meaningful connection. After all, where would the coffee industry be without the customer? As a barista, you are the last face in this long chain of people who have put their labor, love, and dedication into the coffee you are about to serve. So, as you can imagine, a great entry point into the coffee industry is becoming a barista.

How Do You Become a Barista?

The truth is that a barista at your local coffee shop or elsewhere all arrive to be in that position in several different ways. Some have a background in coffee or have work experience in customer service. Others have been hostesses or have waited on tables, and some had no coffee experience before they landed their job as a barista.

But if you are wondering whether you need any barista certification or “official” training to become a barista, the answer is no. Not at all (we'll cover this more later). But you do need to know the basics of coffee and espresso, serving coffee, pouring coffee, and maintaining your espresso machine. That is where we come in!

We've spoken to several coffee shop owners and managers about the very issue of becoming certified and whether or not it is necessary to get a job as a barista. We've heard various answers that flowed into one cohesive solution: While you need training, you don't need to be certified. That's because a barista is not, say, a nurse, massage therapist, or lawyer, but rather a cook.

Is Barista Certification Necessary to Get a Job?

In fact, that's an excellent way to look at the whole prospect of training as a barista – from a cook to chef perspective: You don't need to be a certified chef to work in a kitchen. Some very famous chefs taught themselves by trial and error – and lots and lots of practice.

Is it good to be formally trained and learn the distinguishing tricks of the trade by seasoned chefs? Absolutely!

Is it good to get free barista training through available resources so that you know the basics? Yes!

Likewise, you don't need to have official training as a barista – or go through an official school like a hairstylist because it is not required by law.

Having a “barista certification” listed on your barista resume certainly shows that you can work the coffee bar. In addition, it demonstrates that you understand the basics of serving espresso-based coffee drinks – and that you can handle the basics of an espresso machine. In other words, it reflects your passion for coffee and serving coffee. Therefore, as a barista job applicant, you will undoubtedly stand out in the interview process.

 

So, what's so important about having a barista certification?

A barista certification is a great way to show that you can create great espresso shots and turn them into great coffee drinks that people will love! Indeed, the added training can help you to better dial the espresso machine for the perfect espresso. However, with that said, being certified is not required – but instead demonstrates your ability to make espresso.

With that being said, when a coffee shop owner or manager has to decide between two “equal” individuals who happen to be applying for one job opening – who do you think they instead choose?

So, What Makes a Great Barista?

Passion! Yes, passion is what makes a great barista. Paradoxically, coffee is a highly complex drink (with over 1000 flavonoids), but it can also be straightforward to brew. The ability to dance between the appreciation of its complexity and simplicity is what makes a great barista.  But what does that mean exactly, and how do you display that passion exactly?

This is a great question, which we intend to answer. After all, having a passion for anything in any particular field is beneficial. But what does that mean when we are talking about being a barista?

What does having a passion for coffee look like?

To be sure, there is no right way to demonstrate your passion for coffee. However, we consider the following as a demonstration of having a passion for coffee:

• Learning
• Perfecting
• Sharing

The willingness to learn about coffee is an excellent characteristic; we call it a positive symptom of your passion. There is so much to learn about coffee. The various coffee beans, the multiple processes, farming practices, coffee roasting practices, tasting and blending, brewing methods and techniques, and coffee served to customers. You can delve into each field with so much interest and still spend a lifetime learning, perfecting, and sharing your knowledge.

So, with this mantra of learning, perfecting, and sharing, we offer 12 Great Ways to be a barista.

Great Ways to Be a Barista

*Remember: There is no “right way” to become a barista. Every avenue can be taken to become the barista you would like to be.

1. Take Our Barista Training Course
   

   Getting barista training from our barista training course or reading free barista training articles can help you develop your skill and demonstrate that you have had barista training. While being certified is not a requirement for employment, it makes you stand out in a field of good barista job candidates.

2. Attend Coffee Tastings (Coffee Cuppings)

   If you are fortunate to have several independent coffeehouses and coffee roasters in your area, consider inquiring about their public “coffee cuppings.” This is where they publically taste the coffee they've roasted or have recently bought – and discuss the taste, flavor, aroma, and other elements of coffee. Attending coffee cuppings is a great way to meet new people and people involved in coffee in your area.

3. Attend Coffee Events

   Several coffee events occur every year. For example, SCAA's Annual Coffee Event, Coffee Fests, or local coffee conventions – all can be fun, provide a learning environment, and allow you to meet many regional people in the coffee world.

4. Apply to Starbucks?

   Should you apply to Starbucks? Why not? The chances are that there is a local Starbucks close to you. Starbucks, believe it or not, is a great place to start being a barista. They provide free barista training to people who have never had experience before, thus offering you a pathway to learning more about coffee with their consistent training and customer service.

   If you can apply to a “big coffee” chain because a job may be available, then you should! However, depending on what city you live in, getting a job at an independent coffee shop might not be an option because the positions have already been filled. We encourage you to get your barista experience any way you can!

5. Start a Coffee Blog

   Starting a coffee blog can be fun. But it can also help you articulate your observations about coffee, nearby coffeehouses, and related coffee-centric topics. In addition, a local coffee blog can help develop your expertise in the coffee field in your area and gain some essential insights.

 

 

6. Roast Your Own Coffee Beans

   Roasting your own green coffee beans can be fun and provide you with an excellent learning experience. Being an amateur home roaster can allow you to experiment with developing profiles that you like. In addition, roasting your own coffee beans can give you a lot of coffee experience that other barista job candidates may not have. 

7. Spend Time at Coffee Shops

   Whether you need to get homework done, complete a work assignment, or meet friends – spending time at the coffee shop, you would like to be employed at makes sense. Get to know people there – other baristas, managers, owners, etc. People often hire who they know. By networking with baristas and coffee shop managers, you can get a leg up on the competition.

8. Visit Coffee Farms

   If you like traveling and have the money to do so, consider any upcoming trips to coffee-growing regions a great excuse to visit a coffee plantation. Many coffee farms offer a coffee tasting room and tour. We've been to coffee tastings in Central America, but you can also visit Hawaii. It is currently the only place in the United States that grows coffee.

9. Experiment with Home Brewing

   Making good coffee at home can, over time, be more cost-effective than going to a café or coffeehouse every time you want a cup. Consider various low-tech ways of alternative coffee brewing, such as using a Chemex, AeroPress, and Sowden Soft Brew.

10. Be a Waiter/Waitress

    Having experience working in the food service industry can be invaluable. Working as a waiter or waitress can expose you to working directly with customers, getting orders, and delivering excellent customer service. This can provide you with an experience that some coffee shop owners might want from a barista. If your restaurant serves gourmet coffee, why not learn how to work an espresso machine with them?

11. Be Sociable!

    Baristas often need to talk to customers and their co-workers. Therefore, developing a positive attitude with the ability to get along with anyone is a valuable asset.

12. Just Do it!

    Being a barista means simply just doing it! Apply to your local coffee shop regardless of your limited barista experience. Some coffeeshop managers like people to have no barista experience in pulling espresso shots and provide free barista training. Sometimes unlearning bad habits can be more challenging than starting with a clean slate.

Brought to you by Barista Training Academy, “The Beginning Barista,” Your Ultimate Prep Guide to Getting Your First Job as a Barista” is an ultimate resource available online and affordable for anybody looking to start a career in the coffee industry. For more information, visit our blog.