Most customers and regular coffee-drinkers are very picky when it comes to their coffee. The taste of a cup of coffee can make or break the business.

If you are dreaming of working as a barista, it can be quite difficult to find a job if you do not have any experience in the field. Most barista job listings require a minimum of at least two years of experience to qualify.

For aspiring baristas with no experience, getting a foot into the coffee industry can be a bit intimidating. The good news is – experience is not necessarily the most important for coffee shop owners when hiring baristas.

So, how can you get a job as a barista without any prior experience?

Here are six ways to secure a barista position fast.

1. Contents

   Learn Barista Terminology

Being a barista requires you to be familiar with the coffee lingos to understand the whole coffee preparation process. Aside from the professional language, most baristas use a special lingo when explaining specific coffee characteristics and extraction methods. Some of the most common coffee terms are espresso, Americano, cappuccino, flat white, or a cold brew. We recommend reading and familiarising the most widely used barista terms to help you become a professional in the field.

2. Know the Use of Coffee Equipment

The coffee-making machine is the core of any coffee business. It is, in fact, the most expensive piece of coffee shop equipment. It is why baristas should know how to utilize and maintain it well.

A well-maintained coffee machine will be less prone to breakage and can last the coffee shop for a very long time. It also ensures the best quality and consistency of espresso-based beverages.

But the coffee espresso machine is not the only piece of equipment you will be using as a barista. You will also need to learn how to use coffee grinders, tampers, pitchers, and other tools that you will be required to use daily.

3. Understand the Job Duties of a Barista

A barista is a coffee ambassador. They normally represent the coffee shop image by promoting its values and contribute to its profitability.

Being a barista requires you to know and create all coffee recipes. You must also have exceptional customer service skills and basic mathematical skills.

Other job duties as a barista include food preparation, managing inventory, opening, and closing cash registers, promote products, and even monitoring junior baristas.

4. Create an Impressive Resume and Prepare for an Interview

Writing a barista resume with a cover letter plays a critical role in landing a barista job. It serves as your first impression to potential employers and colleagues. Writing and polishing a resume might take a while, so we recommend doing it sooner as possible.

Investing in a well-written resume will definitely pay off. It is one of the best ways to stand out among other baristas, thus, increasing your chance of getting hired. Be sure to follow basic guidelines for your barista resume and cover letter.

Now that you sent your barista resume and successfully got your interview for a barista role, the next step is to prepare. There are tons of resources for barista interviews that will help you secure the job.

Here are few tips for barista interviews that are applicable to other professions as well.

• Be Yourself

Be your authentic self and show that you are true intentions of getting the job. If you are applying as a barista, you want to make sure those customer service and cheerful personality skills you advertised to get the job are valid when the going gets tough.

• Do Your Research

Know what company you will be working for (and representing). Research the company’s vision, culture, and way of doing things. Then, decide if want to be a part of it.

Doing this beforehand also shows you took initiative in doing your research on the company you want to be part of. Showing initiative and proactiveness are great qualities that Baristas should have.

• Prepare Answers

Have genuine answers in mind for possible questions they may ask. Not all interviewers will ask the same questions, but they are related to your personal and professional portfolio. Prepare answers beforehand so you can answer these questions honestly and confidently.

5. Barista Training

Coffee is a very complex product that is continuously evolving. Learn as much as you can about coffee – its origin, processing method, roasting level, and more.

A barista course is an intensive training that covers all things coffee. Depending on the course you will take, you can learn the standard process in brewing coffees or take a Barista Pro course for more advanced learning. The right course is a sound investment into your future as a barista. It will give you the head start you need in a competitive industry where quality matters most.

Barista training is a key factor, especially for beginners and non-experienced applicants. How you want to serve the coffee and what experience the customers will have mostly depend on your training. Training is the best way for new baristas to develop consistent delivery of quality coffee and excellent service.

6. Have a Positive Attitude

Start your barista job search by visiting local and nearby coffee shops. Go out and meet coffee roasters, baristas, and coffee shop managers. Develop a good relationship with coffee people as well as customers. This way, you will learn about the different types of coffee drinks and eventually get some barista job offers.

We also recommend checking places that do not have a super expensive espresso bar setup. There are several family-run cafes around the suburbs and shopping centers. These are good options if you are starting your career as a barista.

The best way to ensure you stand out from the competition, even without experience, is to complete a Nationally Accredited Barista Training course. Getting a barista job with no experience can be extremely difficult, but it is not impossible. We hope these tips will help you land your first barista job.