One of the first things you notice after stepping into a coffee shop, apart from the whirring of coffee machines and the appetizing smell of coffee, is the baristas.
Being a barista is an art. You can see them walk swiftly, juggling multiple orders at a time, almost like a ballet dancer.
And the job is not just about serving coffee from coffee machines; it’s much more than that! From knowing the history of coffee to judging a customer’s likes and dislikes even before he or she orders, a good barista should have abundant knowledge to be in the profession.
Let’s Prepare for a Barista Interview
There might be multiple reasons for you to apply for the role of a barista in a coffee shop. It is one of the well-paid job positions that attract people of all age groups. If you adore coffee or work in a coffee shop as a barista, you will have to go through an interview first.
The questions will be aimed at you to check your technical skills and your knowledge regarding coffee beans, their origin, harvesting procedures, etc.
We have prepared a list of the 20 most frequently asked questions during the interview for the position of the barista, along with the likely answers you could give.
20 Barista Questions and Answers
1. Tell Us About Your Job History
This question is one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions. By asking this question, the employee expects to get some background information about the applicant. One thing to note while answering is that you shouldn’t repeat things that you have already mentioned in your resume. The employer is looking forward to learning about your previous role, experience, etc.
Sample Answer:
“I have over 7 years of experience in the field of the coffee business. It was during my school days I started to work in a coffee shop as a busser in a cafeteria. After college, I started learning skills for being a barista. I worked there for three years. It was during that time that I realizedthat this is where my passion lies.
2. Have You Ever Handled a Difficult Customer Before?
By asking this question, the employer wants to know about your customer management skills. You might have to encounter a restless, impatient customer multiple times in a coffee shop, and a good barista is expected to handle such a customer in a very gentle yet professional way.
Sample Answer:
“While in my previous job, I remember a lady coming into the shop at 8 a.m. sharp and asking for her cappuccino. She was always rushing and would ask for her coffee every 15 seconds, accompanied by loud sighs. I started preparing her cappuccino right when I saw her walking toward our cafeteria, and I would tell her that we were on it right after she ordered. I also used to wish her a nice day after delivering her cappuccino. Gradually she stopped being impatient and started to be nice to us, knowing that even before giving her order, we were getting her cappuccino ready.”
3. Why are You Interested in This Role?
This is one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions. The employer wants to know whether you are actually passionate about the job and are not applying for it just for the money. The key while preparing your answer to this question is, to be honest, and let the employer know why you adore being a barista.
Sample Answer:
“I have a degree in hospitality management, and during that period, I used to work in our campus coffee shop. The shop will always be bustling with customers, and I really liked being occupied like that doing something that I like to do. Furthermore, I began to enjoy the aroma of coffee beans and was eager to learn more about them. I learned a lot about the coffee trade and am also skilled in latte art. I wanted to be a part of a well-known cafeteria like yours and hence applied for the job.”
4. Being a Barista is a Repetitive Job by Nature. Why Do You Prefer Such a Routine Job?
This could be perhaps one of the most challenging barista interview questions to be asked in an interview. The key to answering this question is to let the interviewer know that you actually enjoy such a job by pointing out its perks and what makes it different from other jobs.
Sample Answer:
“One of the things I like the most about this job is seeing the satisfaction of a happy customer. And I believe that doing something repeatedly will make me better at it. I would like to be the best at this job. Moreover, I believe that this job isn’t exactly as repetitive as it may sound. I would get to interact with customers and let them try different varieties of coffee according to their appetite.”
5. What Makes a Good Barista?
This is one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions that you might have to face while applying for the role of a barista. Here, the employer wants to know whether you truly understand what it means to be a good barista. You will be expected to give an answer that focuses on more technicalities than just knowing something vague, like a barista’s job, is to serve coffee.
Sample Answer:
“A good barista is expected to know all about the varieties of coffee served in the cafeteria, about the beans used, their origin, and their history. Along with this, a barista must also be aware of how to use the machines in the cafeteria. I believe that one of the things that makes a good barista is the realization that the customers are the reason for their very being. Customer satisfaction is the key, and a good barista should be able to recognize how to deal with the varied variety of customers.”
6. What Value Can You Add to Our Team?
While the interviewer asks you this question, he or she is checking how much you know about their company, and what it is that makes you stand out from the other baristas. So, make sure you did your homework on the cafeteria you’re applying to, including their work environment, job description, and expected requirements. All this information will come in handy while answering this question.
Sample Answer:
“The most significant value I can add to your team is that I am very good at handling customers. I liked how you value your customers’ opinions and that a good rating comes with excellent service. I believe that with my communication skills and experience in customer management, I can add great value to your team.”
7. How Will You Handle a New Customer if He or She asks You to Select an Appropriate Order for Him or Her?
Sometimes certain customers might ask you to make an order for them. The interviewer, along with checking your customer management skills, is also keen to know how you might respond to such an approach from a customer.
Sample Answer:
“I will start by making small talk with him to get to know him better, his mood, and his tastes. After that, I will ask him whether he wishes to have some samples of the items we offer and will select the best drink as per his responses.”
8. What Would You Do if You Arrived Late for The Shift?
Now, this is another one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions, and you should handle it carefully. Rather than answering the question directly, make sure to be clear that you are rarely late for work.
Sample Answer:
“I won’t be late for work, and I always make sure to leave my place in such a way that I will be here 30 minutes before my shift. I understand that my being late for work will affect my colleagues adversely. If I am unable to arrive on time for my shift due to unforeseen circumstances, I will notify my supervisor as soon as possible and apologize to my colleagues for the inconvenience.”
9. How Do You Stay Updated with Trends in The Coffee Industry?
Here, the employer would like to know whether you are aware that the coffee industry is dynamic in nature and whether you stay updated about the happenings in the sector.
Sample Answer:
“I am aware that this is a dynamic industry, and during my first job, I was unaware of the technicalities. I was then introduced to this online journal that published ongoing trends and more about the coffee industry. Since then, I have been on a constant learning process to keep myself updated with things.”
10. How Do You Think a Coffee Shop Can Be Made More Community-Friendly?
A cafeteria is a place where people hang out and socialize. While such a question is being asked, you could provide ideas on how a cafeteria can be made more community-friendly.
Sample Answer:
“The cafeteria will look more inviting for customers if the interiors look more appealing and the environment is made more appealing for them. This can be done by playing a soulful track in the cafeteria and inviting artists to conduct live performances on weekends.”
11. What Do You Think Is the Most Challenging Factor of Being a Barista?
This is one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions, and you are expected to receive a well-prepared response in return. The interviewer expects86 you to be well aware of the challenges that you would face while being in the shoes of a barista.
Sample Answer:
“One of the challenges in this job that I have personally observed is that each customer expects a perfect cup of coffee. And each of them has a different taste and requires a different amount of sugar and milk. So while preparing multiple cups of coffee to multiple specifications, nothing should go wrong. Fortunately, after working two years in the cafeteria, I was able to concentrate and give individual care for each customer and their orders.”
12. What Drink Do You Enjoy Making, and Which Is Your Least Favourite to Prepare?
Barista interview questions will obviously contain such a question, and the employer will be expecting you to share your knowledge as a barista from your past experiences. You can name two or a few drinks that could let the employer know that you are updated on the technicalities that are required.
Sample Answer:
“I have noticed that when someone orders ristretto, most baristas try to avoid making it. This is because the person who makes it must be pretty precise while making one, or else you might have to start over. With the right amount of practice and patience, however, this could be mastered.
As I have studied latte art, I enjoy making lattes. As I try new designs, I have seen customers’ delight as it is served for them.”
13. According to You, What Do You Think Is the Most Important Aspect of Customer Service?
Customer service is one of the main things that matter in the job profile of a barista. This is one of the most frequently asked barista interview questions. You are expected to share a few words about what a delightful customer experience means and how it can be provided.
Sample Answer:
“I know that a variety of customers come to the cafeteria, and each of them will have variable characteristics and moods. I believe that the most important criterion of customer service is to provide each of them with friendly and positive treatment. While they feel invited and treated well, they will always remember the service and tend to include the cafeteria as an often-hangout spot due to the welcome. By understanding each customer along with the products we are offering, we will be able to include them in the discussion of what might interest them in the list of orders.”
14. Do You Know What a Breve Is?
Here, in our list of barista interview questions that you might expect, the question itself is a simple one. It might change depending on the place you are applying for the job and on the services they offer. The interviewer is not only testing your knowledge as a barista but also whether you have gone through their services as part of your research before the interview.
Sample Answer:
“Breve, meaning ‘short’ in Italian, is an espresso-based drink made with steam and half-and-half or cream instead of milk.”
15. Have You Ever Worked Continuously without Taking a Break? If So, Explain the Occasion and How You Handled It.
Along with testing your previous experience, such barista interview questions are aimed at learning about the way you manage your time. You can start by explaining the situation that made you work overtime before and the way you handled it. Also, if you think you did something exceptional during that time, include it as well.
Sample Answer:
“While I was working as a barista, there was an instance when one of my colleagues took a leave, and I had to cover that shift. Without expecting it, a lot of customers came that day, and I worked a whole day. I am glad that I was able to handle everything well, and I was also able to make time to clean the machines when I got breaks.”
16. Have You Ever Mixed up a Client’s Order? How Did You Rectify the Situation?
The employer understands that mistakes are unavoidable. This question is about how you will handle things in an adverse situation. Explain if you had any such incidents in your past job, the reason, and how you always kept in mind not to make the same mistake again.
Sample Answer:
“During my first job in a cafeteria, I was very nervous as I joined, and I ended up mixing three orders of customers I received. I noticed the mistake, prepared the orders soon, and delivered them properly. I apologized to the customers and offered to pay for the orders I mixed up. I was extra cautious when taking orders after that and never made the same mistake again.
17. Have You Ever Influenced Your Colleagues In a Positive Way During Your Previous Jobs?
Teamwork always makes a huge difference, no matter what the job is. Most barista interview questions will include a question where they want to know the perks of hiring you for their team.
Sample Answer:
“Whenever I got the chance, I used to help my colleagues. I didn’t like them being burdened with work. Sometimes, by the end of the day, I used to receive comments like they felt lucky to work with me. The reason I shared their work was just to help them out, but such comments from them always inspired me to keep helping others. It always made a very positive impact on my work environment and helped me keep a good rapport with them.”
18. How Do You Get Along With Your Coworkers?
A healthy work environment is a must. Such barista interview questions are aimed at you, expecting to know how you handle the work-level mentality with others. Always make sure to give a positive answer on how you get along with others and what you do to adapt to different kinds of colleagues during work.
Sample Answer:
“I always get along very well with people, and I am a social person. I love to interact with different kinds of people and take every interaction as a learning experience. If I have to meet an odd colleague, I will never take things to heart and will always be pleasant in return. I believe that the way I react will always influence others and can also be a way to bring out a positive change in negative people.”
19. How Important is it to Keep the Barista Station Clean?
Cleanliness is not only a discipline-related demand but also a health-related mandatory practice to follow. Explain why you consider cleanliness a very important factor in the work environment and how it makes a positive impact on customers.
Sample Answer:
“Cleanliness is something I can never compromise on. I believe in the saying, ‘The first impression makes the best impression.’ When a customer walks in and sees a messy barista station, he or she might never come back. The same is applied to the ones who work there. Hence, I always give great importance to keeping things clean. It will always maintain a positive outlook on the workplace for both the customers and the workers.”
20. A Customer Comes To You With a Complaint. How Will You Handle It?
This is one of the most commonly asked barista interview questions. You might have to deal with a varied level of customers, and there might be situations when customers are angry and are raising a complaint. The employer wants to know how you deal with such a situation and can work under pressure.
Sample Answer:
“I have dealt with multiple customers before. When a customer comes to me with a complaint, I always make sure to make them feel important and treat them in a very polite manner. I will never make them wait and will always try to resolve his/her issue as soon as possible. Although, there might be situations when certain customers come with the kind of complaints that shouldn’t be entertained. Even during such situations, I will patiently listen to them and politely make them understand things.”
Conclusion
A barista’s job is one of the most popular and demanding jobs. With an adequate amount of knowledge and passion, you can easily crack interviews with our sample barista interview questions and make your way as a barista for some well-known brands!
Keep your enthusiasm going, and always stay up-to-date with the trends and news of the coffee industry. Up-to-date knowledge will always help you a lot.
The world of coffee beans, chicory, machines, and seamlessly handling things as a barista is awaiting you!
