In our review of different careers, we take a look at how to become a barista, and what skills and attributes are required to become a barista.
What Does a Barista Do?
Do you love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning? Then being a barista might be an ideal job for you. The job of a barista is to make and serve coffee in cafes and coffee shops. This could involve working for a small, local company, or working for a big chain.
As a barista, you would serve coffees, espresso's, lattes and other hot drinks. You would also serve light snacks. Your daily tasks might include opening the shop for the day and preparing everything ready for service, grinding fresh coffee beans, dealing with customers, ensuring the cleanliness of the establishment, conducting stock takes and ordering new stock.
A barista can be expected to cover shifts early in the morning, late in the evening and at weekends and there are opportunities for full-time and part-time work.
Is Becoming a Barista Right For Me?
To become a barista you will need the following skills and attributes:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- A knowledge of health and hygiene
- The ability to work under pressure
How Much Can a Barista Earn?
The pay for a barista is usually hourly and at minimum wage. As a supervisor, this could go up to £8.50 an hour which is around £17,000 a year.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Barista?
There are no formal qualifications required to become a barista, but any qualification in food hygiene, safety, catering or customer service would certainly set you apart from the competition.
