The Best Way to Find a Barista Job?

The hardest part of finding a barista job is actually getting started. Previously we've covered a variety of ways to get barista training. You need your barista training to get the confidence you need to start your career in coffee. And then you have to take another step – your search for a barista job.

Depending on what kind of coffee shop you want to apply to, you might face significant competition. But don’t worry, if you have your basic barista training and you have the right personality to be a barista, you most probably will be hired. To get hired as a barista, you should spend a few hours (or a few evenings) working on your resume and cover letter. Read our advice on how to write your barista resume here.

What are the best ways to find a barista job?

As with any other job, there are many ways to get hired. From searching online to actually talking to coffee shop owners – anything can be successful if you are looking for a barista position.

Let’s consider these options in greater detail.

Networking to Get a Job as a Barista

Another great way to find a barista job is by attending a coffee event and communicating with people there. Usually, coffee events attract large coffee crowds. Among them are coffee shop owners, managers, baristas, roasters and coffee distributors, journalists, and simple coffee geeks.

Search online and try visiting a barista throwdown. Don’t be shy to talk to people and find out what they do. It’s a good idea to mention that you are currently looking for a barista position and inquire if they know any. The chances are high that some of them actually know who in town is hiring.

If there’s a coffee expo or a major barista competition are happening in your town, don’t miss this opportunity to visit it and put yourself out there. It’s guaranteed that all cream of the coffee crop will be there. Don’t forget to bring a few printed copies of your resume.

If this doesn't work (although I'm sure it'll work in 99.9% of instances), try asking your family or friends. I'm sure you have some coffee lovers in your inner circle, even if you don't know about it yet. Your friends and family are people who always want to help you, and if they don't know anybody personally, they'll ask their friends. Have you heard about the “seven handshake theory”? Well, this is a time when it might work for you!

Visiting Local Cafes and Roasters

One of the best ways to get a barista job is to go and ask about it at your favorite café. Many aspiring baristas get hired just by talking to the manager at a local coffee shop. If it doesn’t work out for you or your favorite coffee shop doesn’t hire at the moment, try to talk to other coffee shop managers of you happen to drop by any coffee shop.

Of course, if you come to a new café, look around, order a cup of coffee and decide if the place is right for you, if you will feel comfortable working here, and if you want to see the baristas here as your potential colleagues.

Roasters are also the people who know everybody in the local coffee industry (and everybody knows them too). If you don't have your favorite roaster, drop by any local roasters, and talk to them. You will not only learn something new about coffee and try news roasted coffee samples, but you can also find out about barista jobs in town.

 

Introduce Yourself in Person to Coffee Shop Owners

If you want to work in a small coffee shop (not a coffee chain), they don’t have a human resources manager. In this case, you want to talk to the coffee shop owner directly. Don’t worry; many coffee shop owners have started as baristas and know exactly how it feels about talking to your potential employer. They are often easy-going and friendly people – because you can’t be the opposite if you are in a coffee business.

It also applies to the coffee expos. Often, coffee shop owners arrive there themselves, so be ready to talk to them and

Searching Online Using Craigslist

Most probably, the first idea that comes to you when you think about your barista job search is going online to Craigslist. It might be a good idea, but you should be aware of a few red flags. Read every job advertisement carefully and try googling the name of a coffee shop. If a coffee shop with this name does not exist, you can’t trust someone who posted an ad.

Often, coffee shop owners don’t want to mention the name of their business because they are afraid that other employees will see it (or any other reason). Again, use your common sense, and if the job ad contains too little information or is written with mistakes, it’s probably not a good idea to contact them.

You also don’t want to share too much of your personal information or your accounts on social networks, home address, etc.

If you contact somebody who published the advertisement and they are too secretive or want to meet with you in a strange location other than a coffee shop, don’t go there and don’t leave them your phone number. Your safety is the most important thing here. Someone who has nothing to hide won’t be secretive.

Not sure about your barista skills? Start Your Barista Training?

Even though you can be hired as a barista with no experience, it’s strongly recommended that you get some. Often, coffee shops offer their own training. So if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a barista training course, consider a more affordable option like online barista training. It will definitely be cheaper because you don’t have to pay for the staff's salary and coffee and milk used for training. And then, after you get hired, you will master your skills directly at the barista workstation.

The Benefits of Online Barista Classes

Besides being the most affordable option, online barista training is available anytime and anywhere. It will always be with you on your mobile device. You can reread it again and again, make notes and choose your own schedule.

Our Barista Training for Beginners Book

Let's talk about, The Beginning Barista, Your Ultimate Prep Guide to Getting Your First Job as a Barista. This guide offers you more than 100 pages of effective barista knowledge at your fingertips. It’s delivered right into your computer or smartphone in PDF format.

Unlike other coffee or barista training resources, we dedicate more attention and time to discussing how to actually find a barista job, write your barista resume and cover letter, and represent yourself during a barista job interview.

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