Barista Job Questions: Get The Barista Job You Want

Getting a new job or a new profession is always an exciting adventure, especially if we talk about such a cool job as a barista!

Starting a barista job can be exciting and daunting at the same time. Why is that? Being a barista is a social job where your day is filled with conversations, laughter, jokes from your customers or co-workers. It’s also filled with plenty of customer service. (Not to mention the coffee aroma all day!)

At the same time, these expectations might be linked with some fears like “Does this job fit me? How will the team accept me? Is it difficult to learn latte art?”

Additionally, barista job questions may include: “I don’t have any experience, will I be successful?” These fears are valid and very common. However, if our fears begin to overweigh the potential excitement of being a barista, the job won't be fulfilling.

 

Is being a barista a good job?

Yes! Being a barista can be a fun, wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and make money in the coffee industry. Being a barista is a very good job with potentially good pay, unlimited great coffee, and a generally sociable job.

Of course, every coffee shop or coffee business is different. Corporate chains can be a good option to get your barista career started. However, it would help if you took some time to check out – their company culture.

Some may find that larger, more “corporate” coffee companies may serve coffee that is overly roasted and use many syrups, sugar, and other additives. We suggest you visit different coffee shops in your area, order a cup of coffee, talk to a barista, and sit down for a while, simply observing the space and listening to your feelings. Would you like to come here every day? Does the place have the right vibe for you? Do you like the coffee they serve? etc. If you feel it’s your place- go for it. Send or drop your barista resume there.

A barista job can be gratifying if you choose the right coffee shop, where its owners are in a good financial situation, able to listen and hear their employees, sourcing good coffee themselves (and maybe take you on a trip to coffee plantations), and teaching genuine love for coffee and pure barista craft.

How much money does a barista make?

We’ve covered this topic several times before (so you can visit our blog and find more information on barista salary), so we’ll briefly answer your barista job question here. Again, everything depends on the place of your employment, your local laws, and the competitiveness of the job market.

One of the biggest advantages of having a barista job is the ability to make regular tips. Gratuity, along with your local minimum wage, can boost your income significantly. The number of your barista tips will ultimately depend on the popularity of the coffee shop, gross sales, coffee quality, your barista skills and attitude, and your target market.

For example, your minimum wage will be $11 (2019 rate.) For example, you could work 40 hours per week, so you’ll get $440 plus tips (minus taxes and other potential deductions).

Let’s say you got a minimum of $5 in tips per hour (remember, you may get much more).
40 hours x $5 = $200
$440 weekly wages + $200 in tips equals $640 per week.

This amounts I almost $2500 a month.

If you work fewer hours, you’ll obviously make a little less comparatively. Still, the numbers are very promising.

Do I need experience to be a barista?

Some bigger coffee shops with a reputation for quality and service might require coffee experience before starting.

However, most coffee shops are ready to accept baristas without any previous experience in coffee. Seasoned coffee shop owners often hire for personality and trainability. If they see that you are easy-going, authentic, and excited about coffee, they will often hire you. You can get a barista job with no barista experience.

On the other hand, if you show little interest in coffee, have an ambivalent attitude, have a social media profile that is unprofessional, and come late for the barista job interview, your chances of getting hired.

Remember that the competition might also be very high in the coffee shops you apply for. However, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of employment.

You can take an online barista training course, which provides essential information about coffee and barista jobs.

You can also read a book about coffee or a more in-depth coffee guide. This might not give you a lot of practical information on how to pull coffee, but you’ll know the history of coffee varietals and the differences among them.

What does a barista do?

A barista job might seem like an easy one: you make coffee, steam milk, chat with your customers. This may be all true, but there’s much more to it. Barista responsibilities extend much further than it might seem with a naked eye. For example, baristas have to come earlier to make the coffee shop ready to serve customers, heat the espresso machine, place all the deserts in the fridge. This also entails the responsibility you take when accepting inventory, so a barista has to count everything exactly and only then put a signature.

At the end of your shift, you will be required to fully back-flush the espresso machine. You will also need to clean the floors, dishes, shelves, and tables in a coffee shop. Additionally, light custodial work, inventory management, and customer service are all often required.

If your chosen coffee shop serves a full menu or other items such as sandwiches, paninis, and desserts with ice cream, you may be required to make some simple dishes.

Additionally, a barista will attend staff meetings and visit regular barista training. As a barista, you will also need to monitor that every money transaction is correct, that there are no mistakes, unpaid orders, and that the POS system is shut down for the night.

Do I need barista training?

This is probably one of the most frequent barista job questions. To increase your chances of successful employment in a coffee shop, we strongly recommend getting your initial barista training. Barista training shouldn’t cost a fortune, especially if you are trying the waters. 

An online barista training course gives you all the basics of a barista job. Usually, barista training videos are paired with a barista guide that you can download and read anytime on your smartphone.

You may be undecided if a barista job is right for you. We suggest you take an online barista course.

Getting to know this profession in advance, learning all its pros and cons, and seeing how people actually do it will help you finally decide if a barista job is something you would really like to do for the next couple of years.

Putting a couple of coffee book names and a certificate from an online barista course will most surely make you a preferable candidate among all others. Moreover, you will be better prepared for the reality of a barista job and probably learn faster during your trial period. And this means better hours and higher tips sooner!

Barista Training Academy

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 that is available online. It is affordable for anybody who is looking to start a career in the coffee industry. For more information, visit our blog.