Barista

If rattling off the tall order; a triple-grande-nonfat-no-whip-extra-hot-hazelnut-flavored mocha doesn’t leave you tongue-tied then let’s face it, you are already a Barista in the making. A Barista is the face and personality of any coffee establishment. As a Barista, you are a Bartender of sorts and with that, customers expect you to nail their coffee drink orders quickly, efficiently, and consistently every time.

Everyday, whether you’re greeting the early birds or late night studiers you’ll make sure that you are prepared for your first order. This includes making sure that all your coffee equipment runs smoothly and that you’ve got all the right supplies on hand; the right coffee, the right grind, the right cups and saucers, and inside knowledge of how to create different espresso drinks.

Your customers might be intimidated by the variety of beans sold, or by the tricked-out coffee machine making their drink. This is where your expertise as a coffee Sommelier comes into practice: You help guide your customers through their choices (how is a cappuccino different than a latte?) to make their experience a pleasant, perhaps even indulgent one.

There will be lulls and highs to your working day and when customer traffic slows down you take care of the housekeeping duties around your station and coffee house, like cleaning the coffee and espresso machines, and checking and replenish supplies.