Top barista skills to look for in candidates
1. Barista experience
Included in 19.87% of barista job postings
Candidates with previous industry experience typically have the skills needed for a barista position. They’re likely familiar with the typical orders placed at coffee shops and how to prepare them. Due to their background, you can onboard them quickly and only train them on your specific methods.
Job description example: Previous barista experience at a high-volume coffee shop
Assessing the skill: Review the job experience section on resumes to look for previous barista positions.
2. Communication skills
Included in 16.41% of barista job postings
Effective communication skills help baristas ensure order accuracy and improve customer service. Active listening skills help your barista understand drink modifications the customers want. Baristas must also communicate with customers when they can’t fulfill an order as requested or the order may take longer than usual.
Job description example: Effective verbal communication skills
Assessing the skill: Assess the candidate’s communication skills during the interview and ask questions about how they would handle communication difficulties.
3. Customer service
Included in 15.51% of barista job postings
Baristas interact directly with customers and represent your business. Positive experiences encourage customers to return and tell others about your coffee shop. This can help you retain loyal customers and make a good impression on new ones.
Job description example: Strong customer service skills to interact effectively with customers and team members.
Assessing the skill: Ask specific barista interview questions about customer service scenarios to see how candidates would handle them.
4. Coffee experience
Included in 6.75% of barista job postings
Knowledge of coffee, with or without previous barista experience, helps prepare candidates for the position. They likely have a better understanding of what customers want and can offer suggestions. This expertise also helps them explain the differences between drinks for a better customer experience.
Job description example: Proficiency in coffee making and an understanding of different coffee drinks and brewing techniques.
Assessing the skill: Look for previous positions related to coffee or ask coffee-related questions about grinds and roasts.
5. Basic math
Included in 6.1% of barista job postings
Baristas use math when taking orders, counting change and verifying pricing. While preparing drinks, baristas use measurements to ensure the drinks taste as requested. Basic math skills help candidates perform those duties accurately.
Job description example: Basic math skills, including counting change and measuring ingredients
Assessing the skill: Include a basic math skills test during the hiring process.
6. Guest services
Included in 6.1% of barista job postings
Guest services and customer service are similar, but guest services focus more on creating a welcoming environment. For baristas, part of guest services is greeting customers warmly and politely, and making their drinks as ordered.
Job description example: Previous guest or customer service experience
Assessing the skill: Evaluate guest services experience through scenario-based interview questions.
7. Food service
Included in 5.68% of barista job postings
Because coffee shops fall under the food service category, hiring candidates who have worked in the industry may be helpful. These candidates may understand the protocols for sanitation, food preparation and other routine tasks.
Job description example: Ability to prepare and serve food items while ensuring adherence to food safety and hygiene standards
Assessing the skill: Review resumes to check for previous food service positions.
8. English
Included in 4.16% of barista job postings
Since baristas interact directly with customers, they may need to communicate clearly without language barriers. This allows for clear communication with customers and leads to order accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Job description example: Fluent in written and spoken English
Assessing the skill: Conduct English language tests to check for fluency.
9. Cash handling
Included in 4.04% of barista job postings
While many customers use credit cards, cash remains a popular payment method. Whether baristas are counting change or spotting counterfeit money, a barista is typically responsible for handling payments.
Job description example: Effective cash handling skills
Assessing the skill: Include a cash handling assessment during the hiring process.
10. Restaurant experience
Included in 3.79% of barista job postings
Some coffee shops feature a higher-end atmosphere with table service. Candidates with restaurant experience often transition into these roles with ease.
Job description example: Previous experience working in a restaurant setting
Assessing the skill: Verify that the candidate has restaurant experience listed on their resume or ask questions regarding higher-end restaurant scenarios.
11. Cashiering
Included in 3.13% of barista job postings
Similar to cash handling, cashiering is often a part of the barista job description. Candidates need to know how to enter orders and accept various forms of payment from customers. Cashiering also involves counting back change and resolving payment issues.
Job description example: Experience in a role with cashiering duties
Assessing the skill: Review resumes to look for cashiering experience.
12. Hospitality
Included in 2.94% of barista job postings
Hospitality skills take customer service to the next level. They involve creating a positive experience for your guests. In a coffee shop, baristas greet guests as they enter and offer customized beverage suggestions. Previous hospitality experience can equip candidates with the skills to create positive experiences.
Job description example: Strong hospitality skills with the ability to create a welcoming and engaging environment for customers
Assessing the skill: Ask questions about hospitality and hospitality-related practices.
13. Sales
Included in 2.32% of barista job postings
Baristas with sales skills may be able to upsell customers and increase revenue. These candidates can generally connect with customers and understand their preferences when it comes to food options, whole coffee beans, gifts or other products.
Job description example: Skills in promoting and upselling menu items, including coffee drinks, food items and special promotions to maximize sales opportunities
Assessing the skill: Include interview questions based on sales situations.
14. POS
Included in 2.31% of barista job postings
Being knowledgeable about your point-of-sale (POS) system can give your new barista a head start on their job duties. The skills required to use different software programs often transfer between applications, but it can be beneficial if the candidate has previous experience using your specific POS software.
Job description example: Comfort with using point-of-sale (POS) software to process customer orders
Assessing the skill: Look for POS-related skills on resumes or ask candidates to perform a simple transaction in the system during interviews.
15. Grocery store
Included in 2.13% of barista job postings
If your coffee shop is part of a grocery store, you might prefer candidates with experience in that environment. Grocery store experience can help equip candidates with inventory, sales, cashiering and customer service skills, all of which fit the typical barista job requirements.
Job description example: Experience working in a grocery store
Assessing the skill: Evaluate resumes to look for recognizable grocery store names and relevant job duties.
16. Culinary experience
Included in 2.12% of barista job postings
Some coffee shops aim to provide an upscale culinary experience by offering desserts or pastries alongside coffee drinks. Culinary experience through on-the-job training or education can help candidates meet those high expectations. This might involve focusing on food preparation or the aesthetic presentation of drinks.
Job description example: Coursework in culinary arts or experience in culinary positions
Assessing the skill: Look for culinary experience on resumes and ask for more details during interviews to see if candidates’ experience aligns with your goals.
17. Computer skills
Included in 2.08% of barista job postings
Coffee shop employees use computers for various tasks, such as processing orders, training and tracking shift times. Candidates proficient in using computers may feel comfortable learning new software and computer tasks.
Job description example: Comfort with computers and various software programs
Assessing the skill: Invite each candidate to perform a computer skills assessment test.
18. Serving
Included in 2.06% of barista job postings
Even if your coffee shop uses a counter service approach, your baristas still serve drinks directly to customers. In sit-down coffee shops, tableside serving skills are also important. Applicants with prior serving experience may better understand how to provide exceptional customer service and deliver hot drinks safely.
Job description example: Serving experience in a casual restaurant
Assessing the skill: Ask questions regarding customer service, including situational-based questions that a barista might face on the job.
19. Sanitation
Included in 1.98% of barista job postings
Sanitation is an important part of keeping customers safe and earning return business. Many customers notice if a coffee shop is clean and properly maintained. If a barista candidate has experience with sanitation in a food service establishment, they likely understand what’s involved in this process and the importance of following sanitation guidelines.
Job description example: Knowledge of food service sanitation guidelines and processes
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates about their experiences with sanitation.
20. Baking
Included in 1.81% of barista job postings
If your coffee shop offers pastries or sweet treats, your baristas might be involved in preparing those foods. Baking experience, either personal or professional, can prepare a candidate to follow recipes with the precision required for baking.
Job description example: Personal or professional baking experience
Assessing the skill: Ask about each candidate’s experience and comfort level with following recipes for baked goods.
21. Organizational skills
Included in 1.64% of barista job postings
Baristas often deal with an influx of multiple orders at once during busy times. Keeping orders organized ensures all customers get what they ordered and are served quickly so the coffee shop runs efficiently.
Job description example: Strong organizational and prioritization skills
Assessing the skill: Ask interview questions about how candidates manage multiple orders during rushes.
22. Management
Included in 1.47% of barista job postings
Barista positions might include supervisory duties during some shifts. For example, the barista may serve as the manager on duty or step in when their manager is on vacation. Consider looking for management skills if you intend to promote the candidate to a management position in the future.
Job description example: Experience in a management role
Assessing the skill: Review resumes for management experience or ask how candidates would handle different management situations.
23. Writing skills
Included in 1.41% of barista job postings
While standard barista jobs don’t typically involve writing, this skill can be helpful. Baristas often need to write customers’ names on cups. If they write specials on menu boards, having neat handwriting is beneficial. Some baristas might also help create website or social media content.
Job description example: Creative writing skills to help with social media accounts
Assessing the skill: Give the candidates a chance to write a sample social media post for your business.
24. Leadership
Included in 1.08% of barista job postings
Leadership skills can help baristas attend to customers and other duties during their shifts. Candidates with leadership skills can also cover for supervisors or lead certain shifts.
Job description example: Effective leadership skills in a food service setting
Assessing the skill: Check resume details to look for positions with leadership responsibilities.
25. Quick service and fast food restaurant
Included in 1.05% of barista job postings
Many coffee shops use a quick service model rather than a sit-down restaurant style. While any food service experience can be helpful, knowing how quick service restaurants work may help candidates serve customers and fulfill orders efficiently.
Job description example: Work experience in a quick service restaurant setting
Assessing the skill: Look for quick service restaurant experiences on resumes to find candidates to interview.
Other top barista skills in-demand
Here are an additional 24 barista skills that are common in barista job postings on Indeed:
26. Cleaning: Included in 0.96% of barista job postings
27. Time management: Included in 0.81% of barista job postings
28. Constant contact: Included in 0.8% of barista job postings
29. Food preparation: Included in 0.64% of barista job postings
30. Food safety: Included in 0.6% of barista job postings
31. Food handling: Included in 0.51% of barista job postings
32. Food industry: Included in 0.48% of barista job postings
33. Stocking: Included in 0.47% of barista job postings
34. Spanish: Included in 0.44% of barista job postings
35. Café: Included in 0.42% of barista job postings
36. Bartending: Included in 0.4% of barista job postings
37. Retail maths: Included in 0.39% of barista job postings
38. Maths: Included in 0.38% of barista job postings
39. Microsoft Office: Included in 0.37% of barista job postings
40. Bilingual: Included in 0.36% of barista job postings
41. Hotel experience: Included in 0.3% of barista job postings
42. Supervising experience: Included in 0.3% of barista job postings
43. Microsoft Excel: Included in 0.29% of barista job postings
44. Inventory control: Included in 0.27% of barista job postings
45. Driving: Included in 0.26% of barista job postings
46. OSHA: Included in 0.25% of barista job postings
47. Nutrition: Included in 0.25% of barista job postings
48. Microsoft Word: Included in 0.24% of barista job postings
49. Cooking: Included in 0.24% of barista job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023
