So, you want to be a Barista huh? You may want to be a Barista for a variety of reasons. You simply need a job to pay the bills, the idea of being a Barista is a “fantasy” job, or you truly have a passion for learning all you can about coffee and serving customers. The latter is the preferred reasoning although money helps.
Whatever your reason, there are some things you should be aware of before applying to this position. Over all it’s an amazing job, but it’s not for everyone. Do you have what it takes to be a Barista?
What is a Barista?
A Barista is the Italian name for a bartender who operates an espresso machine at a cafe’ or coffeehouse.
Position Summary
As a Barista, you are the first line of customer service. A barista works the espresso bar and assists customers with their food and beverages. You are responsible for cleaning, stocking and maintaining the bar and store. Depending on the cafe, you may rotate between the bar and cash register.
Average Pay: Minimum wage (or more depending on the shop) +tips
Tips: Are divided evenly among hourly paid co-workers either at the end of each shift or end of week (this is very debatable among cafes and upper management).
Average working hours: 20-32+; overtime happens
Required Skills
Sure you create yummy espresso drinks and drink a lot of coffee, but there’s more to the job than that. These are the top skills I believe you should have as a Barista.
- Must like coffee. How can you sell something you don’t even like it or know how it tastes?
- Patience. Customers and co-workers can be difficult on a bad day or explaining something to them.
- Positive Attitude. Things happen, it’s how you deal with the situation that makes all the difference. This can even make the day less stressful.
- Friendly & Helpful. Always greet customers. Customers don’t bite. If they don’t know what to order, make suggestions.
- Flexible schedule. You may need to work early mornings, close, on Holidays, or pick up extra shifts.
- Reliable. Show your boss they can count on you to show up and take on or handle tasks.
- Enthusiastic. Do what you’re asked willingly. It must get done so get it over with the first time.
- Great Customer service. Handle customers questions, complaints and comments with genuine concern.
- Consistency. Everyone is trained the same to keep the quality of drinks the same and to keep costs down.
- Neat. The cafe is not your home, people visit all day long and the shop must look great throughout the entire day. Yes, you have to do chores, get over it. it’s a part of life in work and home. And yes, you have to clean the toilet, mop, and wash dishes. Not necessarily in that order.
- Safety & Health. I don’t care if you’re lazy or tired. You must follow all safety, health and sanitation guidelines for all products, otherwise you could make someone very sick or worse.
- Be Professional. When you’re on paid time, act like an adult. You are there to do your job and not text or ignore customers. Hate to say it, but you are judged by how you look and act. Dress appropriately and by uniform requirements. You never know who you could be serving.
A Day In the Life
Your typical day will vary by shift because of how busy it is, time of day and day of the week. Besides the examples I’ve given above, here are the rewarding and not so exciting reasons to be a Barista.
Pros
- You get to meet new people each day and their is a satisfaction in making customers smile.
- Always something to learn
- Work with amazing people
- Drink wonderful coffee and espresso
- Convert new regulars
- The regulars make the worst days worth it, for me anyway
- Washing dishes is a great stress relief
- Repetition makes things faster
Cons
- Stand for hours at a time
- People take out their anger on you
- Repetition can get boring
Do you have what it takes?
If you are a Barista, feel free to add to my list.
Jennifer Vaaler is the no-nonsense blogger of Daily Demitasse. Her fuel is also her passion as a Barista by day and freelance copywriter by night and has been featured in trade Industry Journal, Coffee Talk. She specializes in Consulting and writing copy for the Specialty Coffee Industry. When she’s not wielding a portfilter or pen, Jennifer enjoys a great book, crafts and good movie.
