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Permalink Reply by Carlos Ferguson on June 27, 2015 at 8:26pm

Do you have any customer service experience, as a server, bartender, etc? Barista skills can be learned but there's more to the job in my experience than pulling a good shot or pouring a rosetta. When applying for any job in a field that is new to you, stress the skills and experience that you do have and that carry over to the job you want.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Morales on June 30, 2015 at 12:38pm

thanks for the response. yes - I have 4 years of customer service experience in a cafe and at a restaurant. I don't enjoy FOH at large restaurants and really like coffee so am mulling the move to being a barista. The question is whether to go to a big chain first, or to wait it out until I get a job at a premium boutique. I don't really want to be a starbucks barista if I can help it but wondering if I need to do it to get the experience. 

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Permalink Reply by Jen Hurd on July 9, 2015 at 4:20pm

I think it'll be more difficult to get in with a craft/boutique-style shop with no coffee experience.  It's not impossible, as your personality may really fit with the owners/operators.  There are many people who have made careers out of the coffee industry and started at Starbucks or a lower quality coffee operation.  From there, they continued to learn and grow and move on to other companies.

Be positive, be clear in your communication and intent, be willing to learn and adapt (don't get stuck in the "at my old job we did it this way" mindset), and ask lots of questions!  I realize this isn't a perfect answer to your question, but it's my thoughts on how to approach the industry.  Best wishes!

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