A beginners guide to being a barista

Being a barista is an incredibly rewarding job, but is also very challenging - and can be a highly coveted role in a café. Because it can be a competitive field, and there's quite a steep learning   Barista Training Academy  curve for beginners, it can seem a little intimidating when you're just starting out. You can learn coffee skills in this online course here.

But never fear! Typsy is here to help you rise to the challenge with our guide to everything you need to know about becoming a barista.

Baristas have one of the trickiest jobs in the restaurant industry. A barista is a hybrid between the front of house and back of house that requires mastery of both customer service and coffee making skills.

Whether you’re looking to make a career out of serving a mean cup of coffee or are working as a barista to get yourself through school, you’ll need a grasp on barista basics to excel at your job and earn some hefty tips along the way.

Of course, the first thing you'll need to get your career off to a flying start is a great resume that lands you the job you've always wanted! Using a barista-specific template ensures your resume says exactly what you need it to without wasting any time or space - something the hiring manager will really appreciate!

We’re spilling the beans on how to be a barista. Follow our seven essential tips to rock this coffee making role.

1. Become a coffee expert
Being an expert on what you sell will get you brownie points with your boss and tips from your customers. Follow these tips for becoming a coffee connoisseur:

Is there anything more frustrating than going to a restaurant, asking your server for a recommendation, and not getting one because the server hasn’t eaten anything off of the menu? Don’t leave your customers in this position. Try every item your venue makes so that you can give customers recommendations and expand your coffee palette.

Beyond sampling every item on your menu, brush up on your coffee lingo to help out customers who don’t know the difference between a mocha and a macchiato. When you can educate your customers about the products you’re selling, you’re offering them more than just a cup of coffee. Hello big tips!

2. Smile
You can brighten a customer’s day just by smiling and interacting with them in a friendly way. Smiling makes a great impression on customers, which makes them want to come back to your coffee shop. Returning customers keep your employer in business, which keeps you employed!

3. Build rapport with customers
Beyond grinning at customers, it’s important for you to build rapport with your regulars. Remembering their names and orders will make them feel special, resulting in more tips for you and a more pleasant day for them.

4. Listen up! 
A barista’s job would be so much easier if every customer just ordered a latte. Alas, that’s unrealistic and would make the job boring! When customers place complicated orders or make special requests, pay close attention.

Repeat orders back to customers to ensure accuracy. While it may seem repetitive and time-consuming, verifying orders will save you from wasting resources if you take the order down incorrectly, and will ultimately save your customers time and frustration.