Barista Jobs in Canada

Barista Jobs Overview

The invention of the espresso machine transformed coffee from a drink into a culture. It also complicated coffee-making, planting the seeds for the barista. Cafes hire qualified candidates for barista jobs to ensure that customers can enjoy espresso drinks without having their own machine at home. Baristas add joy to people’s days by working at a place that helps people connect and energize, and sometimes, by adding a bit of latte art to someone’s drink.

Baristas use espresso machines and other equipment to make coffee drinks. They know a multitude of recipes and preparation techniques. They are not only experts on coffee, but also on the machines and equipment and may perform simple cleaning, maintenance, and repair tasks. A busy barista may focus on making drinks, restocking supplies, and helping customers. At some workplaces, they also help with other tasks, such as operating the cash register and preparing food orders.

If you like multitasking, working in a fast-paced environment, and helping customers, you might enjoy working as a barista. This job also tends to offer a flexible schedule without requiring a college degree.

How to Find the Barista Job That Fits You

Because there are many barista jobs, you’re likely to have a choice of where to work. One of the first decisions you should make is what kind of workplace you want. Some of the most common options are:

• Chain coffee shops:Working at a chain coffee shop will offer you more choices when it comes to scheduling, since they’re usually open for more hours. This gives you more flexibility if you’ll be juggling the job with another part-time job or studies. Large coffee chains have well-organized training programs where you’ll learn the details you need to become a skilled barista. Chains can offer more career opportunities, since they usually have several different levels of management to supervise the large staff.
• Independent businesses: Independent cafes and coffee shops are more likely to give you a traditional schedule. Some may want you to already have barista training, but others will teach you the basics on the job. You’ll have a smaller menu to memorize, which can make the job easier. Since independent businesses have a smaller staff and a more personal atmosphere, you might earn more tips.
• Other locations:You can find barista jobs in many locations, such as restaurants, museums, airports, and hotels. Each of these settings offers unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you want to practice your foreign language skills and enjoy meeting people from around the world, consider a barista job at an airport or hotel.

How to Apply to Barista Jobs

Be as specific as you can in your resume and cover letter to make an impression on hiring managers. If you’ve worked as a barista before, specify what training you had, what the classes covered, and what techniques you learned. If you have other experience in the food or customer service industry, be sure to mention any awards or certifications you’ve received as well.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter and Resume

Here are some examples for inspiration on what to include in your job application:

• Number of customers (or cups) you served per day
• A list of barista skills and related skills
• Awards you received, such as employee of the month
• Certificates you’ve earned
• Additional job responsibilities you’ve had, such as creating menus or coffee blends

Spice up Your Resume

Is your resume missing some flavour? EnlistMonster’s professional resume writersto spice it up with popular barista keywords. Adding keywords to your resume can help it get past applicant screening software, which is often responsible for the first round of candidate selection. Our resume writers will also rewrite your resume to create a customized document based on your background and targeted towards your industry.

Create a Monster Profile

Once your resume is up to date, you can upload it to Monster so that employers can find it. The first step is tocreate a profile. Then, you can search and apply for jobs, sign up for custom job alerts, and make your profile and resume visible to employers.

How to Follow up With an Employer

Are you waiting to hear back from a prospective employer? Make sure to follow up before the recruiting cools off. A quick phone call or email can get your application in the right pile. Just make sure not to call during the morning rush. If the place you’re applying to is busy most of the time, an email may be a better way to get in touch.

For the most impact, use your follow-up as an opportunity to briefly mention your best qualifications and your interest in working for the employer.

Interviewing for Barista Jobs

Got pre-interview jitters? The best way to appear calm and relaxed during your interview is to prepare in advance. A new barista will get on-the-job training, but to help you land that first job, take a few minutes to review some coffee basics—read about coffee bean varieties, roasts, brewing methods, and the components of different espresso drinks. Although each espresso machine is different, you can also watch YouTube videos to learn a few basics.

It’s always a good idea to research the company you’re interviewing with as well, in addition to preparing answers to common interview questions.

Barista Interview Questions

These are some examples of barista-related questions you might get:

• How do you make a ristretto/cortado/macchiato, etc.?
• What kind of espresso machines are you familiar with?
• What is your favourite tea or coffee drink to prepare?

What to Do When You Get an Offer

With a compelling job application and thoughtful interview answers, it’s likely a job offer is brewing. But are you ready? There are several steps you should take before you get that offer. They include:

• Determine what salary you’ll accept. If you’re willing to negotiate, consider what number to ask for.
• Think about what benefits you expect. A written salary offer should include the benefits that were discussed during the interview, if any, so that you have the complete offer in writing.
• Be informed about what else to look for in a job offer. A complete job offer should also include your starting date, job title, and general responsibilities.

Once you get a job offer, make sure to acknowledge and say thank you for the offer within 24 hours. This doesn’t mean you have to accept or decline within this timeframe. If you have several job offers you’re juggling, or you otherwise need some time to think about it, you can ask for a few days to make up your mind.

Barista Jobsand Career Paths

You don’t need a degree to become a barista - you can learn everything you need on the job. Work experience at a cash register can be helpful since some baristas also take orders. Most likely, a company hiring a barista will value your personal skills more than your experience. Having a customer-oriented and positive attitude is key to landing this job. To be successful as a barista, you also need a great memory and attention to detail to memorize customer orders and drink recipes.

Career Advancement Opportunities for Baristas

You’re likely to start in an entry-level position. After some work experience, you can climb the career ladder one step at a time. This is easier at large companies that have more senior roles, where you could take the following steps:

• lead barista
• team leader
• shift leader
• assistant manager
• store manager
• district manager

To advance to the more senior positions, you’ll naturally need to be skilled at more than being a barista, including having excellent leadership and organizational skills.

If you prefer to stay in the realm of coffee and tea, but wouldn’t mind a boost in pay, consider becoming a tea sommelier or a certified coffee specialist. This isn’t necessarily for regular barista jobs but can get you a job at a tea or coffee tasting business or manufacturer.

Similar Occupations

You may want to expand your job search by also looking for other food service jobs. Consider also searching for:

• bartending jobs
• hostess jobs
• waitress jobs