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Permalink Reply by John P on January 9, 2013 at 3:01pm

Never walk in and say the words, "Are you hiring?"

Be a customer first. Even if it's just a few times. Know why you want to work at that specific coffee shop. Make it a point to know what they do best, what your favorite drink is there... that sort of thing. Places that are serious aren't looking for warm bodies, they want someone who cares.

Make the approach on a day you've ordered a drink or two, and dress like you want to be hired. And if they're not hiring at that time, be a regular, show you were serious, and there's a better chance they will think of you.

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on January 9, 2013 at 4:50pm

Ditto what John said. Every one of our baristas were regular customers first.

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Permalink Reply by Dave on January 9, 2013 at 9:26pm

Thanks for the replies. I kind of figured that was the best approach, but wanted to hear it from someone else. 

On a related note, would you agree with the following thought:  I should not "settle" for a barista job in the short term at a shop that is not aligned with my coffee goals. Better I just go work for a bookstore or something while I get to know the people in town that are serious about coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Aprille O'Neill-Kemp on January 10, 2013 at 10:22am

Here's the thing- sometimes you end up at places that aren't completely aligned with your coffee goals, for one reason or another. You may not be completely content with where you're at until you own your own shop, or roaster or are working with the right people, etc etc...

But even at a shop that may not be perfect, if there is something about that particular place that draws you in or you're interested in- whether it's staff or coffee offerings or brew methods or whatever- you can learn a tremendous amount by being there. I moved to a new city recently, and ended up at a shop that didn't completely align with my perspective on coffee. But thru it I was able to develop amazing coffee connections within the community, get to know the roasters, beef up my barista skills, and establish myself as a legit coffee person within the city. Any place where you can gain experience and learn without compromising yourself can be totally worth it in the end, especially if you are new to the community.

My two cents :)

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Permalink Reply by John P on January 10, 2013 at 3:50pm

While I agree with what Aprille has written from the perspective of a barista; as an owner, I would be more interested in someone who did not have any previous barista experience. Usually there is a lot of re-training to do. And, like she said, sometimes there can be a lot you can learn, but if you are gravitating toward the best (or one of the) shops in your location, you will actually lose a bit of credibility having worked at certain places. You can be sure the first time you said, "This is how I learned it at...", you'd be shown the door. 

I'd pick my spots carefully. If a few coffee shops are seen as equals, and you just prefer one to the others, no big deal, it's probably a lateral move. But if you are eyeing a shop that does everything just a little better than everyone else, be patient.

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Permalink Reply by Jenna Aukerman on January 20, 2013 at 11:29am

As an owner as well, I look for applicants who want to work in my organization because they believe in the vision of the company. Sometimes we hire when we don't need to because I don't want to miss getting the right person when they come by. So, yes, I think it's definitely worth asking your dream shops if they are hiring. (And I agree with the 'be a customer first' thing.) 

And,  like John P., I prefer no coffee experience (unless it's from a shop I know/respect), but ultimately  it all comes down to attitude. If you want to help make that shop succeed, please their customers, work towards bettering their coffee quality (with a healthy dose of humility), and are an overall stellar employee, I would make room for that person no matter how fully staffed we are or how much training I'll need to invest.

Good luck!  

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Permalink Reply by Jay Caragay on January 24, 2013 at 6:10am

I agree with much of what John and Jenna have written.

First off, what really are your "coffee goals"?  Make sure you have those in mind.  Then find a place to work that, as close as possible, envisions those goals and then beg for a job. Heck, work for free even. What you want is to get in the door. And then work harder than anyone there.

What I look for are people people. People who can empathize, sympathize and provide guests with an environment of warm hospitality.  Any random Joe can be taught to make quality coffee, what I can't teach is that empathy for people. 

Once you find a shop that you like, get to know everything about them. You should know their story, their history, their vision and what makes them tick.  Then ask for the job.  

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