Barista interviews usually focus on customer service, drink preparation, and how you handle busy shifts. Expect short conversational questions, a few situational scenarios, and sometimes a quick skills check of espresso or POS basics.
Common Interview Questions
Behavioral Questions (STAR Method)
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
- •What does success look like in this role after the first 90 days?
- •How do you structure training for new baristas and how long is the typical training period?
- •What are the most common mistakes new hires make here, and how can I avoid them?
- •How does the team communicate during peak shifts to keep service smooth?
- •Are there opportunities to learn latte art, brewing methods, or advance to supervisory roles?
Interview Preparation Tips
Practice a short demo of pulling a shot and steaming milk if the interview includes a skills check, so you feel calm and prepared.
Arrive a few minutes early, meet the team with a smile, and ask one quick question about current priorities to show readiness.
When answering situational questions, name the specific steps you would take and a brief example of when you used them.
Bring a concise one-page note of your availability and any certifications, such as food safety, to speed up conversation about scheduling.
Overview
A barista interview tests both technical skill and customer service under pressure. Employers want candidates who can pull consistent espresso shots, steam milk to 150–160°F (65–70°C), and handle 50–150 transactions during a busy 4–6 hour shift.
Prepare to demonstrate measurable results: for example, say you served 120 customers on Saturday and maintained an average wait time under 3 minutes.
Focus on three core areas during preparation:
- •Technical competence: Know extraction times (25–30 seconds), single/double shot volumes (25–30 ml/50–60 ml), ideal grind settings, and tamp pressure (about 30 lbs). Be ready to describe how you adjust variables for taste.
- •Speed and organization: Describe station setup routines, like prepping 6 steamed milk pitchers and clearing 3 inches of counter space to keep flow. Employers look for systems that reduce wait time by 10–30%.
- •Customer service and problem solving: Expect scenarios such as a wrong order or a customer complaint. Use specific examples that show patience, clear communication, and recovery steps (refund, remake, or loyalty offer).
In interviews, mix short demonstrations with concise stories that include numbers (customer counts, time saved, waste reduced). Conclude answers with what you learned and how you’ll apply it.
Actionable takeaway: practice a 60–90 second demo of pulling and tasting a double shot while narrating adjustments and results.
Key Subtopics and Sample Questions
Break interview prep into focused subtopics so you can answer quickly and confidently.
1) Technical Skills
- •Sample questions: “How do you dial in espresso?” “What temperature do you steam milk to?”
- •What to include: steps with numbers (grind size change increments, 25–30 sec shot, 150–160°F milk). Offer a short demo plan: pull one double shot and describe crema quality and taste.
2) Speed & Multitasking
- •Sample questions: “How do you handle a 6-person line?” “Describe a busy shift.”
- •What to include: station layout (three zones: prep, brew, handoff), batching strategy (steam milk for 3 drinks at once), and target times (1.5–2 min per handcrafted drink).
3) Customer Service
- •Sample questions: “How do you calm an upset customer?” “How do you upsell?”
- •What to include: exact phrases (apologize, offer remake or refund), and metrics (aim to convert 10–20% of interactions into add-ons like syrups or pastries).
4) Hygiene & Safety
- •Sample questions: “How often do you clean the group head?” “Do you have food safety training?”
- •What to include: cleaning schedule (backflush daily, full clean weekly), and certifications (food handler card).
5) Teamwork & Growth
- •Sample questions: “How have you trained teammates?” “What goals do you set?”
- •What to include: training drills, time-bound goals (reduce waste by 15% in 90 days), and feedback loops.
Actionable takeaway: Prepare one 30–60 second story per subtopic that includes numbers, outcome, and lesson learned.
Practical Resources for Preparation
Use targeted resources to build both skill and interview confidence. Focus on hands-on practice, short courses, and quick-reference materials.
- •Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) — sca.coffee
- •Take foundation modules: barista basics and espresso extraction. SCA certificates are industry-recognized and often cited in job listings.
- •Books and manuals
- •"The World Atlas of Coffee" (James Hoffmann) for flavor and origin knowledge.
- •Local espresso machine manuals (La Marzocco, Nuova Simonelli) for maintenance steps and troubleshooting.
- •Online courses and videos
- •James Hoffmann and Seattle Coffee Gear on YouTube for free tutorials (dialing in, milk texturing). Expect 10–20 minute demo videos you can replicate.
- •Short courses on Udemy/Coursera for station workflows and customer service; many run 1–4 hours.
- •Certifications and local rules
- •State/municipal food handler card (often <$20, completed in 1–2 hours online).
- •Liability and allergen training modules—use local health department resources.
- •Practice tools and checklists
- •Create a 10-item interview checklist: demo shot, cleaning steps, 3 customer stories with metrics, 2 up-sell scripts, and a 60-sec self-intro.
- •Time yourself on a mock 5-order rush; aim to maintain drink quality within 2 minutes per drink.
Actionable takeaway: Complete one SCA or equivalent module, finish your food handler card, and run three timed mock shifts before interviews.