Tourism, Food / Beverage
Barista
Related positions: Barista, Catering BaristaOverview
A barista is responsible for preparing and serving coffee and other beverages at coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. They may also assist with food preparation and customer service.
Baristas must be knowledgeable about different types of coffee beans and brewing methods, and have the skills to create high-quality beverages consistently. They must also be able to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor.
To become a barista, there are typically no formal education requirements, although some employers may prefer candidates with prior experience in the hospitality or food service industry. On-the-job training is common, and baristas may also choose to complete additional training or certifications to advance their skills and career. A passion for coffee and a commitment to providing excellent customer service are key qualities.
Common tasks
| Task | Related trait(s) |
|---|---|
| Greeting customers | Composed Service Social Confidence Customer Connection |
| Taking orders and serving menu items | Coffee Bar Hustle |
| Grinding, measuring, and brewing coffee beans to specific standards | Barista Excellence Coffee Bar Hustle |
| Using equipment such as espresso machines, grinders, and blenders | Barista Excellence |
| Maintaining cleanliness and sanitation standards in the work area and equipment | Barista Excellence |
| Ensuring that the equipment works to defined standards | Barista Excellence |
| Informing customers about menu items, answering questions and providing recommendations about menu items | Composed Service |
| Handling and processing payments | Barista Excellence |
| Monitoring inventory levels and restocking supplies | Barista Excellence Coffee Bar Hustle |
| Following health and safety guidelines and regulations | Barista Excellence |
| Maintaining a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for customers | Barista Excellence |
| Participating in staff hire, training staff and managing staff schedules | Café Team Harmony |
| Ensuring staff follows rules and procedures | Confident Leadership Café Team Harmony |
Soft skills measured by TraitForward
| Trait | No of Questions | Cronbach’s alpha (α) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café Team Harmony | 9 | 0.73 | |
| Can they work collaboratively with colleagues to create a harmonious café environment, supporting the team during busy periods while ensuring everyone feels included and respected? | |||
| Barista Excellence | 10 | 0.79 | |
| Can they maintain consistent quality, cleanliness, and efficiency while preparing beverages and serving customers in a fast-paced environment? | |||
| Composed Service | 7 | 0.85 | |
| Can they maintain a calm and professional demeanor when faced with difficult customers, high-pressure situations, or unexpected problems? | |||
| Social Confidence | 6 | 0.83 | |
| Can they interact comfortably with customers and colleagues, initiating conversations and handling diverse social situations with ease? | |||
| Coffee Bar Hustle | 5 | 0.67 | |
| Can they maintain high energy and efficiently handle multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering prompt service in a fast-paced coffee bar environment? | |||
| Customer Connection | 9 | 0.82 | |
| Can they establish authentic connections with customers that make them feel valued, understood, and eager to return? | |||
| Confident Leadership | 7 | 0.78 | |
| Can they naturally take charge in challenging situations while confidently guiding others to maintain high service standards? | |||
Find out the psychometric properties for the Barista Traitforward questionnaire