Barista Interview Preparation Guide
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Barista related Frequently Asked Questions in various Barista job interviews by interviewer. The set of questions here ensures that you offer a perfect answer posed to you. So get preparation for your new job hunting

46 Barista Questions and Answers:

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Barista Interview Questions and Answers
Barista Interview Questions and Answers

1 :: Tell me a time when you provided impeccable customer services?

A regular customer at my previous place of work wanted a particular coffee blend on the day that we were out of it. When I informed him that we were out of it, he got a bit angry. Not wanting to lose him as a client as he was quite a touchy person, I asked him to wait an extra ten minutes, took permission from my manager and rushed to the market myself to buy the blend.

2 :: Do you know what is a Breve?

Caffe Breve is an American variation of a latte: a milk-based espresso drink using steamed half-and-half mixture of milk and cream instead of milk.

3 :: Tell me how do you keep focused while doing an easy task?

How I keep focused doing any task whether its considered easy or not is I have a constant list running threw my head of what needs to be done next and what I could be doing after to make my job environment a more friendly and inviting place.

4 :: Explain me about a time when you worked a few hours straight without a break?

I worked from noon to six at the grocery store, right at lunch time and before dinner time. Those beginning and end hours were always the busiest and often, each individual customer would purchase multiple items. During the lull period, with the least concentration of customers, I would update prices, re-stock items, and maintain the store's level of cleanliness in order to use my time well.

5 :: As you know this job is a routine work. What would motivate you to do it well every day?

To be honest with you, I prefer routine jobs to creative jobs. Once I learn to do things, I do my job well and have a good feeling about it. Jobs where you have to learn to do new things every day are not really a good choice for me. I simply prefer to do routine jobs, enjoy my colleagues and talks with customers. After all, a good working environment is more important for me than the fact if the job is routine or not. .

6 :: Explain us what makes you stand apart from the other candidates?

My master's degree in comparative literature has taught me that the human soul is infinite, but not as infinite as the human desire for frothy espresso drinks. My quick, analytic mind can often anticipate what a customer is about to order before they even order it and my expansive knowledge of global folklore provides me with ample topics for witty banter to brighten customers' days and distract them in case we run out of half and half.

7 :: Tell me what experience do you have in this field and Barista position?

Speak about specific matters that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you do not have any specific experience, get them as close as you can.

If you are being asked this question from your employer, you can explain about your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing in your previous job. You can tell about the programs you have developed and modules you have worked on. You can also tell about your achievements in different programs.
Try to include improvements that are relevant to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones in handy to mention in this circumstance.

Employers tend to look for goal-oriented applicants. Show a desire for continuous learning by listing your non-work related hobbies. Regardless of what hobbies you choose to present, remember that the goal is to prove self-sufficiency, time management, and motivation.

Everyone should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my friends and relatives, especially with elder and experienced persons.

9 :: Tell me do you have any experience as a barista?

Yes. I have worked as a coffee brewer at Dunkin Donuts and enjoyed the experience immensely during the three years that I worked.

10 :: Tell me are you a self-taught barista, or do you have any training? Either way, how do you feel your training has prepared you for this career?

No, I am not a self-taught barista. I feel that my training ground has prepared me to be customer-oriented before doing the process of them teaching me to do the task I am assigned to or at. Because I believe the providing customer service is the biggest impact that any company could give to be able to be successful.

11 :: Tell me have you ever had to do multiple tasks at once?

Yes; working in a grocery store, I would often be in the middle of writing labels as I ring some one out as well as answer a question of a different customer. I find that I am able to maintain a conversation while multi-tasking and politely finding a way to ask for a moment when duties call me away from the cashier position.

12 :: Tell me what was a time when a customer was not satisfied with your service and what did you do to remedy the situation?

One time I did not notice a customer and he had to wait for his order for about twenty minutes. When I finally came to him, he was extremely dissatisfied and said he would never ever come to our restaurant again. I strongly apologized for my behavior and offered him a free drink. He accepted it and came to our restaurant many more times.

13 :: Why are you enthusiastic about working at Global Guideline?

Well sir, first of all, I truly love the decor. I could live here for weeks, and I might actually need to, because our apartment is having a bit of a bedbug epidemic. But really - I love these faux velvet diner booths. My Grandma Ruth once had a dress with this exact same print on it. I loved her dearly until she died of gluten allergies, bless her soul. Thankfully, Global Guideline has gluten-free banana muffins, which were Grandma Ruth's favorite! I am enthusiastic about working at Global Guideline, not only because of my passion for gluten-free baked goods, but because it will give me the financial security I need to finish my animated documentary about unicycle racing in the neuroscience community.

14 :: Tell me how would you know you were successful on this Barista job?

I am sure that I was successful. I have dreamt to work for your company and I can do anything to make my dream become true. And I am really interested in this job, for my passion not for money.

15 :: Tell me how will you handle a customer who is not happy with the coffee you presented?

By not arguing, apologizing immediately and offering a preference based / customized cup, carefully brewed, and served promptly.

16 :: Explain a situation in which you were able to positively influence the actions of others in a desired direction?

I never wanted to be a burden to my teammates back when I was in the office so I always help to whomever needed it back then as long as I could provide the help they needed. When I left the office, they told me they just realize how lucky they were and how easy it was when I was with them and they were inspired how hardworking I was. In my mind, I was just trying to never be a burden but it grew into something everyone can adapt for an easy life. Always help!

17 :: Explain how well is your memory? Have you ever had to memorize a list of items before?

Yes, while working at a cosmetic retail counter i would remember everything the customer came in for and go behind the counter and grab it all at once. this made for a more personal experience as i had more time to connect with my client instead of running back and forth for one item at a time.

18 :: Tell me how well do you remember names?

I have tricks to remembering names well; finding a feature, article of clothing, or mannerism that I connect to the name as well as repeating it. This way, I can make 'em stick and connect 'em to a face and situation.

19 :: Suppose opening shifts begin at 6am and closing shifts can expect to stay as late as midnight. Could you be outgoing and friendly with customers both early in the morning and late at night?

As a psychiatrically diagnosed "night person," I would prefer later shifts. Closing up at midnight will be no problem at all because, as I like to say, the night doesn't even begin until 1am. This might suggest that I am ill-equipped for opening up shop at 6, but don't be fooled. I have woken up that early to get to the airport on at least four separate occasions, and I have never missed a flight! As for my early morning demeanor, this one time freshman year, I woke up at 5:30am in an abandoned lot on the outskirts of town covered in glitter and silly string and was amiable enough to negotiate a ride home from a gas station attendant and outgoing enough to talk my way back into my dorm even though I had left my purse with my keys and identification on a carnival ride. This was an isolated incident but I assure you that even if a similar situation were to arise, I would be able to get to work on time, looking neat and bright-eyed, and will be functional, attentive, and respectful, especially if I am granted unlimited access to the espresso machine.

20 :: As you know baristas start work early morning and their shift can last till late at night. Do you think you can handle the customer services part effectively this early in the morning and that late at night?

The smell of coffee can wake me up at any time! I have a friendly disposition and if given enough breaks, I can work efficiently both early in the morning and late at night.

21 :: Explain an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision?

During my uni study and experience, I had a field trip in which we had to set abboreal traps in particular groups. We were told we had a small amount of time in which to set a large amount of traps in a location of our choice. Not wanting to waste any time, I made a quick decision to set the traps in an area of scrub and slope, in order to sample more smaller species within the area.

22 :: Basic Barista Job Interview Questions:

☛ Why would you like to work for us?
☛ What would you do if a customer wasn't happy with a coffee you made them?
☛ Describe an experience when you felt stressed? How did you manage?
☛ How will you remain focused each day with the monotony of making coffee?
☛ Do you have a favourite coffee drink?
☛ Explain a time when you provided excellent customer service?
☛ If you served a friend would you give them a free coffee?
☛ What are your favourite coffee techniques you use?
☛ Has there been a time when a customer was not satisfied?
☛ Can you tell me what a Breve is?
☛ Have you positively influenced someone in your life before?
☛ How do you define excellent customer service?
☛ Do you have a good memory, can you memorise a list of ordered items?
☛ When a customer orders a double double, what does this mean?
☛ Are you able to work in a fast paced environment?
☛ Can you name some coffee milk alternatives?
☛ Would you be disappointed if a customer didn't leave a tip?
☛ How would you make a latte?
☛ Why do you like to work in a cafe or coffee shop?
☛ What did you like most about your barista course that you completed?
☛ Do you have a problem with working weekends?
☛ Explain a situation where you worked well in a team?

23 :: Example Barista Job Interview Questions:

☛ What are the main job duties and responsibilities of barista employee?
☛ What are the skills required for barista employee in order to success in his work?
☛ Describe the abilities you have in order to work with us as barista?
☛ What are the knowledge elements you obtained from your education, training and work experience would support your barista career?
☛ How would you describe (needed barista or your) work style?

24 :: Professional Barista Job Interview Questions:

☛ Tell about yourself and why you think you are successful barista?
☛ Why do you like to work as barista?
☛ What could you do not like to work as barista?
☛ What are your future steps after experience you'll gain from your barista job?
☛ As barista, what training courses or extra education that you think will improve your work performance?
☛ What salary do you expect you'll get from being barista employee?

25 :: Fresh Barista Job Interview Questions:

☛ Why do you think you have the skills to suit this role?
☛ What do you know about (coffee shop name) and the role we are looking for?
☛ Can you name 3 other products we sell?
☛ How do you think you cope under pressure?
☛ Are you good at taking praise from others?
☛ How would you provide top quality customer service? What lengths would you go to?
☛ How can you increase the sales of starbucks?
☛ Why do you want to work for us?
☛ If you were an object what object would you be and why
☛ Are you a team player?
☛ Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
☛ Can you work a flexible schedule?Tell me about a time you went out of your way to help a customer?
☛ Can you share an example of how you handled a difficult customer?What if the customer is wrong?
☛ What makes you a good fit for the position?
☛ Why should we hire you?
☛ Why Starbucks, Nero etc? (whichever the company you are applying for)
☛ Why are you best candidate for this job?