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What does a Barista do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A barista is a person who makes and serves coffee drinks at a coffee shop.

Barista job duties include:

  • Greeting customers and taking orders
  • Answering questions about menu items
  • Assembling orders and collecting payment
  • Brewing coffee and other hot beverages
  • Operating cash registers and credit card machines
  • Stocking shelves with coffee beans, tea, and other supplies
  • Cleaning counters, tables, and coffee machines
  • Sanitizing work areas
  • Assisting with opening and closing duties
  • Handling customer complaints in a professional manner

Barista Job Requirements

A barista is a coffeehouse worker who prepares and serves coffee drinks. There is no formal education or certification required to be a barista, but most baristas have at least a high school diploma. Many baristas have some experience working in customer service.

Barista Skills

  • Coffee brewing
  • Espresso machines
  • Cappuccino
  • Latte
  • Tea
  • Hot chocolate
  • Smoothies
  • Mocha
  • Macchiato
  • Frappuccino
  • Pour-over coffee

Related: Top Barista Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Barista

A barista is a coffee professional who is responsible for creating the perfect cup of coffee. They are experts in all things coffee, from choosing the right beans to grinding them to perfection, and they know how to make all the different types of espresso-based drinks. If you’re passionate about coffee and want to learn how to make the perfect cup, then becoming a barista is the right career choice for you.

The first step to becoming a barista is to complete a barista training course. This will teach you the basics of making coffee, including how to grind the beans, brew the perfect espresso, and create different types of drinks. Once you’ve completed your training, it’s important to get some experience working in a coffee shop so that you can put your new skills into practice.

In order to be successful as a barista, it’s important to have a strong work ethic and be able to work well under pressure. You also need to be friendly and outgoing, as you’ll be dealing with customers on a daily basis. If you have these qualities and are passionate about coffee, then becoming a barista is the right career choice for you.

Related: Barista Resume Example

Related: Barista Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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