6 Sample Barista Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a popular coffee shop, you’ll quickly notice barista jobs involve far more than pouring coffee for customers. With the steam of the milk, the sound of the espresso machine, and the way the barista tops off your coffee in an intricate pattern that floats above the foam while sometimes juggling two to three orders at once, he looks like an artist or orchestra conductor at work.

Excited to start creating your own coffee art? Before you start your new job, you might be invited to an interview. Barista interview questions will focus on your technical skills as well as knowledge of different types of coffee beans, where they come from, and how they’re harvested. Some café interview questions will be about whether you went to coffee training school or if you learned to operate coffee-making machines on the job. Coffee shop interview questions will also center around your customer service skills.

Want your interview to be a success? Pour over the sample answers to these six barista interview questions.

Top 6 Barista Interview Questions

1. What Is Your Job History?
2. What Makes a Good Barista?
3. Tell Me About a Time You Had to Deal With a Difficult Customer.
4. How Do You Know What Drink to Suggest to a New Customer?
5. What Is Your Favorite and Least Favorite Coffee Drink to Make?
6. There Are a Lot of Coffee Shops in This Town. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Question #1: What Is Your Job History?

This is one of several opening barista interview questions, and it is just as it sounds—to get your background and to hear your enthusiasm for each former employer.

• State your previous roles, how long you were there, and what you learned at each job. Don’t just repeat what is on your resume.
• Add a personal anecdote or comment about why you enjoyed the job.

How You Could Answer

“I’ve been in the coffee business for 10 years. I started as a busser in a coffee shop in high school, and when I graduated, I began learning barista skills. I was there two years and am still grateful they took the time to teach me and help me realize this is my calling.”

“For the next four years, I worked at a campus coffee shop while getting my degree in hospitality management. It was a bustling coffee shop, so I learned how to work fast while still being accurate. I liked being able to try out the concepts we talked about in my classes.”

“For the past four years, I’ve worked at a national chain and got the opportunity to go to barista school. I learned a lot about the coffee trade and took classes on latte art. I just moved here with my fiancé and want to work for a non-chain coffee shop like yours so I put what I’ve learned into action.”

Question #2: What Makes a Good Barista?

You’ll be asked barista interview questions like this one to make sure you know what a barista is expected to do:

• Talk about your technical knowledge.
• Include information about customer service and the challenges of working in a coffee shop.

How You Could Answer

“A good barista needs to know how to use the equipment in that particular shop—and how to clean it. They should know how to make all the popular coffee drinks and be open to learning others. They also need to have passion for coffee and study bean origins and new trends.”

“But it’s not just about making coffee—it’s also about providing a service. Baristas need to stay calm, even when things get hectic or customers are demanding. They need to know how to take and prepare orders accurately and make good suggestions. And finally, good baristas always remember that the customer is our reason for being here. They should want to get to know them and always be friendly.”

Question #3: Tell Me About a Time You Had to Deal With a Difficult Customer.

The way you handled situations in the past predicts how you’ll respond in the future. It shows the interviewer your knowledge of customer service, and it gives you an opportunity to talk about accomplishments. To answer behavioral interview questions:

• Give your answer in the form of a story, starting with the situation. Describe how you reacted, and then talk about the result.
• Mention the customer service training you’ve had.
• Show empathy for the customer.

How You Could Answer

“In my last job, we had one daily customer who was always in a hurry. She would tap her foot, sigh loudly, and ask if we could speed it up. We all know what it’s like to be in a hurry.”

“I acknowledged her by saying, ‘You seem to be in a hurry.’ Then I thanked her for being patient. She always ordered the same thing, so when we saw her coming in the door, one of us would start her order so I could assure her that ‘Megan’ was already working on it and would get it to her as fast as possible. I encouraged her to come again by saying, ‘Have a good day—we’ll see you tomorrow.’ After a couple weeks, she still came in every day looking hurried, but she started to greet us pleasantly and never told us to hurry up again.”

Question #4: How Do You Know What Drink to Suggest to a New Customer?

You can show your coffee knowledge along with your customer service acumen with your answer to barista interview questions that prompt you to talk about customer interaction:

• Acknowledge how often this happens and how you can spot someone who needs a suggestion.
• Walk through how you handle this situation.

How You Could Answer

“I’ve done this a lot. Sometimes a customer will ask what I recommend. You also can tell when a customer might appreciate help choosing a drink. They stand far away from the counter and squint at the menu. Or they ask for their drink in a tentative tone of voice.”

“So I always start by making small talk to see what mood they’re in. Then I ask questions to narrow down what they might like. Do you like hot or cold? Sweet or strong? Milky? What’s your favorite candy? Then I tell them about one or two things they might like, and I like to throw in some coffee facts like where the beans come from. Sometimes I ask if they want a sample. And it’s important to always ask if they like it and offer something else if they don’t.”

Question #5: What Is Your Favorite and Least Favorite Coffee Drink to Make?

Definitely expect barista interview questions that ask about your technical knowledge of various drinks. It also gauges your confidence and humility. Here’s what to keep in mind when you answer:

• Be honest. Don’t pick a coffee drink that’s complicated if that truly isn’t your favorite to make. You may end up having to make it regularly in front of your boss.
• Remember, you will be expected to make a full range of coffee drinks, so don’t make a big deal of your least favorite. That might show an unwillingness to go out of your comfort zone. Pick a drink the interviewer might expect.
• Be confident, but not braggadocios. Instead of saying, “I make the best macchiato in the city,” refer to customers’ comments.

How You Could Answer

“A lot of baristas don’t like making a ristretto because you have to be so precise and if you don’t pay very close attention, you have to start over. I’ve found that it can be a challenge when you have a long line of customers waiting. But the more you make it, the better you get. My favorite drink to make is a latte. I’ve studied latte art, so I’m always trying new designs. I love to see a customer’s face light up when I’ve made something unusual or perfectly detailed.”

Question #6: There Are a Lot of Coffee Shops in This Town. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

The hiring manager asks some barista interview questions to see if you’ve put thought into working at their particular establishment. They want to be reassured that you don’t plan to take the first offer you get, no matter where it is. Here’s what to say:

• Do your research, so you know how long the shop has been in business, if they’ve won any awards, or if they’re known for anything special.
• Study the menu and know the competition to see if there’s anything different from what other local coffee shops offer.

How You Could Answer

“For me, being a barista isn’t just a job; it’s the career I’ve chosen. So, where I work is very important for my growth and reputation. This is one of the first coffee shops to open in this town, and you’ve maintained your reputation even when the big chains started moving in. I like that you also offer non-coffee drinks like milkshakes and smoothies. It makes this a great place to bring your kids.”

Are You Ready to Infuse Yourself Into a New Barista Job?

Now that you’ve gotten an idea of the barista interview questions you are likely to be asked, it’s time to perk up and skim job postings. Take a moment to complete your Monster profile. It will put your resume in front of recruiters and employers who can reach out to you with new opportunities. We’ll also serve up job posting alerts that match your preferences and location while you relax with a frothy cappuccino.