Hi guys i have a job interview in a really nice speciality coffee, coffee shop tomorrow, i have worked in a bar/cafe before and operated an espresso machine but it’s been a while and i never really mastered my latte art im probably just overthinking this because i have all the theory down since i make coffee at home and watch tons of daddy james and lance on yt. I even signed up for a latte art course which is in a month but currently i can only manage a little heart. Any tips for a proper coffee shop interview so i don’t make a fool of myself tomorrow? 🙂 btwthis is my home setup 😎
by Responsible-Card5582
10 Comments
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Other guy is right it’s mainly gonna be customer service focused especially if you have the knowledge. Just try and have a little fun with the customers of youre comfortable. If not, smile and be polite the rest will come in time.
Good luck and update me if you get the job, I’ll be rooting for you tomorrow!
Ps what type of grinder is that?
Ps where are you doing your latte art course?
I would just say don’t be surprised or disappointed if you find that the care going into pulling shots feels inferior to what you might do at home or see online as a hobbyist. You’re unlikely to see wdt, puck screens, and the like even at specialty shops. In service, the time it takes to take those extra steps adds up and isn’t worth the slight improvement in quality you might get- especially when 90% or more of the shots you pull are going into milk based drinks.
Between all the cafés I have worked at, almost non prioritized coffee skills over personality, customer service, teamwork and reliability
Matching the vibe of the place also is a big plus
Don’t try to tell them what you know about coffee, just chill, be cool and everything will work out
They are gonna find out you know your shit by just talking around random subjects
I’m just a home coffee lurker but that latte looks perfect to me.
I’d be stoked to get that in a cafe.
Good luck! Just be pleasant. IMO, it’s more about people liking to be around you than anything else. Competent and pleasant > Amazing and an asshole.
Genuinely, my advice is: don’t overstate your skills and don’t talk too much about the ‘theory’ you’ve learned online. One of the biggest challenges in working in a busy cafe is the multitasking and dealing with the sheer volume and variety of orders. It’s great that you understand coffee, but this skill set may still be relatively new for you. Speaking as someone who has interviewed people for jobs, one of my least favourite qualities is people who are cocky and show a lack of humility. Just tell them you love coffee and aren’t a beginner and are super keen.
UPDATE : didn’t get it… BUT it’s not all lost… i didn’t get offered a barista position because of my lack of latte art skills (exactly as i expected) but i got potentially offered a barista assistant position with the promise that if i will be willing to learn i can eventually work my way up. I’m not even really disappointed tho because this is actually way better than just getting rejected straight away… i will work on my latte art and prove them i’m a capable fellow 🙂 ( i basically stood no chance because just steaming the milk proved to be super difficult on a commercial la marzocco machine because it’s SUPER powerful… WISH ME LUCK!
Wear a shirt with a Rosetta on it
My favorite interview question (because i was not the recipient)
Chef asked cook candidate:
Chef: Do you know how to cook?
Candidate: answers ( I can make this and that…)
Chef: I didn’t ask if you could feed yourself. I asked if you could cook.
I don’t know what sort of place you are applying for but chances are it doesn’t matter how good of shots you pull at home.
body language, occupy more space with your body, put one arm over the chair shoulder, one leg over the other in the masculine way, look them in the eyes, if they offer coffee, say yes please, making them make you a favor will automatically give you the power over the room