So virtually every barista job wants you to have experience and my question is do any of these consider a barista course as experience in any way? I've never seen a barista job that hasn't wanted experience so I've been wanting to do a barista course for a while but I don't want to sink money into one then find out no job cares about it. That or is there anywhere that would actually train baristas?
Do Barista Employers Consider a Barista Course as Experience?
sarmen2 on 14/07/2019 - 13:04
Last edited 14/07/2019 - 16:22 by 1 other user
Last edited 14/07/2019 - 16:22 by 1 other user
Comments
Experience is not the same with course
Most barista jobs are gonna tell you to come in and make a variety of coffees for them to taste, unless it's somewhere shitty like zaraffas.
You can ask, but usually not. Most people I've met in hospo learned on the job.
Maybe ask for a unpaid trial
Then you would have experience albeit brief
I use to hire baristas, never cared whether they did a course or not, I would always get the barista to do a few varieties with some instructions and see how they perform. Also very important to me is how they interact and being punctual, if you are late for the interview (without good reason) you are an instant write off for me. Try to look for jobs where there is more than 1 barista at a time, they would probably be more willing to take on someone with no experience.
However, if you do the course, it should help you familarise yourself with the grinder, how to change the grind size, how to tamp the coffee grinds, how to pull a shot, how to check if the shot pulled is any good and how to use the steam wand. I guess you can ask around to see if they do the above.
Most important is your looks.
Man bun, beard, flannel shirt = great coffee
Customer service skills are just as important
OP, do you know how to make a coffee? How did you learn?
I ask because if you don't know how to make a coffee, then perhaps doing the course would actually be a good idea?
DO you have hipster tattoos? They appear to be compulsory as well
A course doesn't teach you common sense knowledge on timing of shots, machine difference, how to adjust for humidity or different fat content in milk. Have never hired someone for doing a course, always happy to help train from day dot…
Yep personality has has a lot to do with hiring more than a barista course which only teaches you the very basics. Speed and perfect coffees only come with years of experience. I have employed many baristas over 10 years running cafes. The best one can make over 80 coffees an hour whilst flirting and chatting to customers without breaking a sweat or even looking like they are in a rush.
No, but the requirement for "experience" for these kinds of roles is also generally flexible. If you show you can make good coffees fast, and can talk to people, most will give you a try at the very least.
If not, see if you can get some experience waiting tables or working other back of house jobs first.
Why don’t you just pop your head into a local cafe and ask them? Or when you pass one that’s currently advertising a job.
I think part of the experience required would also be the interface with customers but if you have customer service experience elsewhere and the barista course that should suffice.
Also - try maccas cafe if you want the experience without needing prior experience.