Barista - Interview Questions

Not only does a barista have cashiering and technical skills and knowledge, but they also must be experts at sales, have strong attention to detail, and excel at customer service, multitasking, and communication. It also helps to know a lot about coffee. What makes you a strong candidate likely comes down to a few of these qualities.

Highlight the qualities you feel are most important for a barista to be successful, and share examples of how you have those qualities. You should try to match your answer to what the company is looking for in the right candidate.

“I believe _____ and _____ are the most important qualities or skills a barista can have because _____. These skills allow a barista to _____. In a previous role, these skills allowed me to _____.”

Baristas need to know the differences between and how to make a variety of beverages, such as lattes, cappuccinos, frappes, etc. With this question, the hiring manager wants to understand your coffee knowledge and experience with creating beverages - not just that you know how to make them, but also how to make a good one. 

Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, but highlight your technical knowledge and skill on recipes and the machines you use to make the drinks. 

“I love making cappuccinos because I can make a great foam. On the other hand, when I make lattes I always have to carefully measure how much milk I put in so there’s not too much.”

Baristas work in a fast-paced environment often under pressure but are expected to remain calm and flexible. Additionally, there are several tasks you’ll be asked to complete each shift. 

A great barista will find interest and excitement in interacting with different customers and making a variety of beverages. You may want to talk about how you’re able to test your creativity and become extremely confident in making perfect beverages. Also, share how organization and time management skills allow you to complete the tasks you need to.

Because you’ll be dealing with customers throughout each shift, customer service skills will help ensure your shifts are successful and customers have a positive experience. While many of your customers should be satisfied, you will likely also have to work with customers who are not. 

By asking for specific examples of customer service experiences, the hiring manager wants to know that you find value in exceptional customer service, and you have the experience and skills to care for customers and turn negative experiences into positive ones. 

Share that you understand what makes good customer service and interactions for customers, and highlight that you have experience helping a range of customers in different situations. Provide specific examples that share your problem-solving skills.

While most coffee shops or cafes have a menu, some customers will ask for a specialty drink or ask that you make a recommendation based on their preferences. Explain to the hiring manager your process for understanding the customer’s request, likes and dislikes, and how you decide which drink to make for them. This helps show your coffee knowledge and expertise in making the beverages, as well as your customer service skills.

“When a customer asks me to make a recommendation for them, first I ask them what types of beverages they typically enjoy, as well as what flavors they like or dislike. I also ask if they want a hot, cold, or frozen beverage. Depending on their answers, I try to come up with at least two recommendations and let them choose. Once they have the beverage, I make sure they like it before they leave. If not, I’ll make them something else!”

The hiring manager wants to ensure you know the necessary to be successful in this role and serve customers what they want. A great barista knows the origins and flavors of coffee, about the coffee production process, characteristics of different coffee, how the roasting process works, and how to create a drink for a customer based on their preferences. 

Try to provide specific examples to the hiring manager so that they are comfortable with your level of knowledge and ability to create drinks appropriately. While this can be trained once you’re hired, it can be beneficial for you to have this knowledge beforehand.

Most coffee places sell other products, such as mugs or drinkware, clothing, books, music, or even food. Part of your role as a barista maybe to create those displays and ensure products are stocked and sold. 

The hiring manager may put you on the spot and ask you to make suggestions or recommendations for displays in the location you’re interviewing at. This tests your ability to think on your feet, as well as highlights your problem-solving skills, creativity, and knowledge of how to make displays most attractive for sales.

Successful baristas are also salespeople. Knowing how to cross-sell and upsell products is an important part of the job. You also may have food, merchandise, or other items available for purchase, and selling those products to customers can take skill in sales.

With this question, the hiring manager wants to know you have skills and experience with sales and generating additional revenue. Perhaps provide specific examples of situations when you’d upsell, and what you would say.

“Whenever someone orders a beverage, I always ask if they want to get the next size larger for _____ cents more. The place I worked previously sold mugs and travel cups, so sometimes I’d recommend they purchase one to enjoy this and all future beverages. Then, before completing their purchase, I ask if they’d like a snack or sandwich to go with their tasty drink, and I’ll often recommend one that pairs well with what they ordered.”

Working as a barista means working as a team. You’ll be working with other baristas and possibly shift leaders or managers throughout each shift. You may have to rely on each other to help compete for orders, cash out customers, and keep the store and work areas clean. This requires teamwork and communication skills. If you can, provide a specific example of a time you worked exceptionally well with a team.

“At my previous employer, we had a $1 coffee day, where every coffee beverage was only $1. We saw hundreds of customers that day and were constantly busy. Not only did my team efficiently complete every order, but we ensured the store was clean, everything was always stocked, and each customer was cared for. It was a crazy day, but we also had so much fun working together!”

Problem-solving, patience, communication, and flexibility are key with this answer. Explain to the hiring manager exactly what you’d do in each situation, and focus on ensuring the right people are communicated to, and you’d make sure all work was covered as necessary. 

“If I were going to be late for a shift, I’d first call the manager and let them know. I’d then test the barista who was there before me and let them know and provide an ETA of my arrival. If my replacement was late, I’d stay until they arrived if possible, and if not, I’d ensure the other baristas working were ok before leaving.”