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Interview Questions

Top 30 Barista Interview Questions & Sample Answers

Whether you're a Barista looking for a new job or a hiring manager trying to fill positions in the competitive coffee industry, it is essential to get started on the right foot during the interview.

Table of Contents

Popular Barista Job Interview Questions

In this guide, we’ll look at the top Barista interview questions to ask applicants, covering areas such as skills, experience, customer service and situational scenarios.

The Best Barista Interview Questions

1. Barista Interview Questions About Skills and Experience

2. Barista Interview Questions About Customer Service

3. Situational Barista Interview Questions

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Types of Barista Interview Questions

  • Skills and experience Barista interview questions: These questions are designed to assess one's technical skills, knowledge of coffee-making techniques and previous experience in this line of work.
  • Customer service Barista interview questions: This group of questions and answers are designed to evaluate how well candidates interact with customers, manage service-related challenges and contribute to a positive customer experience.
  • Situational Barista interview questions: These questions assess how candidates might handle specific scenarios they could face on the job. These help reveal problem-solving abilities, adaptability and decision-making skills.

What Are the Top Barista Interview Questions and Answers?

In the section below, you'll find an additional 17 Barista interview questions that will help you prepare for the upcoming interview, whether you're an employer or an employee looking to get hired.

17 More Questions for a Barista Interview

  • What motivates you to be good at your job?
  • Which steps do you follow to ensure drinks are presentable and consistent in quality?
  • What do you think is the most important characteristic of an excellent Barista?
  • How extensive is your Barista training?
  • How do you stay up to date with trends and changes in the coffee industry?
  • Tell me about a time when a customer was extremely happy with the service you provided. What happened and what did they say?
  • How would you handle a demanding customer who keeps returning their order?
  • What was the most critical feedback you've received in your whole career?
  • Do you have experience training new Baristas in the workplace?
  • When was the last time you had a disagreement at work and how did you solve it?
  • How do you maintain a positive attitude during long night shifts or rush hours?
  • Would you describe yourself as a team player or do you prefer working independently?
  • Walk me through the process of making the perfect espresso.
  • What methods do you to ensure that coffee beans are always fresh?
  • How would you determine which of the two coffee beans is better in terms of quality and consistency?
  • Which approach would you take to teach a fellow Barista high-quality latte art?
  • How would you respond to a customer complaining about the cleanliness of the cafe?

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How To Prepare for a Barista Interview

Use the following tips to effectively prepare for a Barista interview as a candidate or interviewer.

As a candidate:

  • Familiarize yourself with the cafe or coffee shop where you are applying. Learn about their menu, ambiance and clientele to demonstrate your interest in the position.
  • Review the job description to understand the responsibilities and expectations of the role you are applying for. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate skills that make you a perfect fit for this role.
  • Practice common interview questions (like the ones we've listed earlier) and note down talking points for your answers.
  • Prepare your own questions for the interviewer to further show interest in the position. Ask about the coffee shop's approach to customer service, growth opportunities or training programs.

As an interviewer:

  • Review the responsibilities of the role. Based on the applicants' resumes, highlight the ones who meet the criteria for the role and have relevant job experience.
  • Develop a structured interview format through which a candidate can demonstrate their soft skills and practical knowledge and have a chance to ask questions.
  • Assess whether the candidate fits well with the cafe's vibe and if they'll contribute positively to the team culture and customer experience

Starbucks Barista Job Interview Questions

Did you know that Starbucks employs the most Baristas in the U.S.? They have over 15,000 locations nationwide. That being said, here's a list of some interview questions for baristas that Starbucks hiring managers may ask you in an interview:

  • Do you like to work early mornings?
  • How would you handle a rude customer?
  • Are you available during the early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays?
  • Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you fix it?
  • Can you describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer? Why did you go the extra mile?
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Written by Lidija Misic

Content Specialist

Lidija holds a BA in English Language and has lived in five different countries, where she has worked in various roles, including as a flight attendant, teacher, writer and recruiter. Her biggest passion is crafting great content and reading. She is particularly passionate about creating punchy copy that inspires people to make positive changes in their lives.

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Reviewed by Stefan Petrov

Editor and SEO Content Writer

With over 10 years of experience as a writer and editor, Stefan has worked in the automotive, IT, health and hospitality industries. Familiar with Google Search Console and other SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, Stefan uses his experience to create content that's visually appealing to the user but also ranks in the SERPs.