How to Become a Barista
Becoming a barista is one of the fastest-growing careers in the US today. With coffee shops popping up everywhere, there’s never been a better time to become a barista and start your own business. If you’re interested in becoming a barista, here’s how:
Step 1: Get your education.
To become a barista, you’ll need some basic training in how to make coffee and other drinks. Many colleges offer certificate programs in coffee preparation that can be completed in just a few weeks or months. These programs teach you how to prepare drinks like espresso and latte and how to serve them properly. They also teach you about the different types of beans available for use in making specialty coffees as well as their various properties when roasted and ground into powder form for use within machines that produce these drinks automatically rather than by hand using traditional methods (which are still used by many baristas today but are becoming less common due to increased demand for automation). Once you’ve finished this coursework, consider taking an internship at a local coffee shop where they’ll provide real-world experience working alongside other employees who have been doing this job for years (and maybe even decades).
How To Become Barista
The foodservice industry has a range of job opportunities for those looking to work in cafes or coffee houses. Baristas prepare coffee or tea beverages and interact with customers on a daily basis.
By researching facts about baristas and their qualifications, you can figure out how to become a barista, even with little-to-no experience. In this article, we review what a barista does, highlight their averages salary expectations, list common skills needed to complete a barista job and go over how to become a barista.
Related: What Is a Barista?
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What does a barista do?
A barista works alongside other baristas and serving staff in cafes, coffee houses or coffee shops to make caffeinated beverages and serve food items. A barista’s responsibilities might include the following:
- Interacting with customers in a personable manner
- Processing customer payments via card or cash using a POS system
- Taking time to practice recipes for new or seasonal menu items
- Recommending new coffee beverages to customers
- Using cafe equipment like espresso machines, coffee grinders or frothing pitchers
- Heating baked goods or breakfast sandwiches and packaging them for customers
- Receiving constructive feedback from customers and remaking coffee drinks according to their needs
- Training new baristas on how to make certain coffee drinks or operate the POS system
- Taking inventory of supplies and communicating with the manager to place orders for new equipment, coffee beans, takeout containers or coffee syrups
- Maintaining a clean and sanitary workspace
- Cleaning cafe tables and bathrooms as needed
- Receiving supply orders, checking invoices and placing items in the storeroom
Related: Barista Cover Letter Sample
Average salary for baristas
A Barista’s pay scale typically depends on the company they work for. For example, Baristas working for national or international chains may receive higher pay than those working in small or local cafes. Also, a Barista’s pay scale may depend on whether they work full-time or part-time.
- Common salary in the U.S.: $11.52 per hour or $26,947 per year
- Ability to earn an additional $17.00 in tips per shift
Related: How To Get a Job With No Experience
Skills and characteristics baristas need
Baristas need a wide variety of hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills to complete their job duties effectively. Here are common skills and characteristics paired with examples of why they’re important to baristas:
Detail-oriented
Being detail-oriented is important for baristas as they need to adjust measurements for coffee, flavoring syrup, whip cream or milk depending on the size or type of coffee drink. Baristas also need to be detail-oriented as it allows them to make slight adjustments to menu items depending on a customer’s request or dietary restrictions.
For example, if a customer asks for a cinnamon latte with almond milk due to their dairy allergy, a barista’s ability to remember and apply those adjustments ensures they fulfill their customer’s health needs.
Able to multitask
Multitasking is the process by which an individual oversees more than one task at a time. This is particularly important for baristas as they need to be able to prepare multiple orders at a time. A barista’s ability to multitask can have an impact on wait time and customer satisfaction.
Patient
Baristas need to have patience, especially when a customer has a specific preference on how to prepare their drink. Their ability to be patient with customers allows them to deliver excellent customer service. For example, a barista demonstrates patience with a customer when they return to the bar for a second time claiming their drink is incorrect.
Calm under pressure
During peak service hours, baristas need to be able to remain calm under pressure. This is important as it allows them to maintain a consistent flow of orders despite heightened demands from customers. For example, a barista’s ability to stay calm can allow them to make quick repairs to an espresso machine, which prevents orders from piling up.
Friendly
Baristas interact with a variety of people on a daily basis. The way they present themselves to customers can have an effect on customer satisfaction. For example, a barista can take the time to ask customers for their names and always have an inviting, positive attitude. Because of this, the cafe they work for can maintain a consistent stream of regular customers. Friendliness also implies that a barista can have positive interactions with their coworkers to uphold a healthy work environment.
Passionate about coffee
Baristas should have a love for coffee that inspires them to research different brewing methods and equipment. For example, a barista can use their passion for coffee to perfect their latte art skills.
Creative
Baristas should have the creativity to come up with new and delicious coffee beverages to contribute to their employer’s menu. For example, a barista could spend downtime during their shift experimenting with different flavoring syrups and coffee roasts to come up with unique beverage ideas for the upcoming seasonal menu.
Team-oriented
Baristas work closely with other baristas and cafe workers to deliver excellent service to their customers. For this reason, baristas need to have a team-oriented mindset. For example, a barista could step in for a sick coworker to ensure their other coworkers have enough support to carry out operations during the morning rush.
