Barista Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Do you dream of serving smiling customers hot cups of joe, perfectly-brewed tea, and exotic fruit blends? The first step is crafting an eye-catching barista resume that stands out from all the other applicants.

However, it can be challenging to impress a hiring manager when you’re forced to limit your positive traits and work experience to a single page.

The good news is that many people feel they need help with writing out their resumes.

To help you nail your next job application, we’ve created barista resume examples tailored to various positions, from entry-level applicants to boba shop hopefuls.

Barista Resume Examples

What experience, education, and skills should you include on your barista resume?

These samples give you a general idea of the essential components and the general tone and cadence of a well-written resume.

Feel free to use these examples as a jumping-off point, customizing each section to illustrate your work history and abilities better.

Entry-Level Barista Resume Example

At the entry-level, many aspiring baristas already have experience in other customer service or retail jobs.

Emphasize the skills you picked up regarding customer relationship management, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food handling, as these all translate well to coffee shop settings.

Work Experience 1: Smoky’s Barbecue Pit

• Flexibly moved between front-of-house and back-of-house duties to provide an efficient, optimized customer experience
• Managed the 10-person waiting team, contributing to many 5-star customer reviews for friendly, fast service
• Supervised night closing duties, including reconciling the cash drawer, cleaning and servicing the smokers, and restocking table condiments
• Upsold nightly specials, earning the title of Highest Sales for six consecutive months
• Oversaw proper food storage according to FDA compliance standards

Work Experience 2: Page-by-Page Books

• Trained and supervised the cashier team, including proper POS system usage, cash drawer reconciliation, and Loyalty Club promotion
• Streamlined inventory and restocking, improving order efficiency by 36% and reducing out-of-stock titles by 71%
• Recommended titles according to customer preferences, based on high-level knowledge of various genres and authors
• Earned a 96% positive feedback score from in-store and digital surveys
• Received manager commendation for excellence in friendly, interpersonal communication and tactful handling of high-pressure situations

Project Experience

• Headed the rollout of the Page-by-Page Books Loyalty Club program, including designing the punch cards, writing the customer script, and constructing a full-scale social media campaign
• Worked alongside the owner of Smoky’s Barbecue Pit to create weekly menu specials that reduced food waste and increased sales
• In both roles, moved into supervisor positions due to my consistent customer service commendations and performance record

Skills

• Kitchen equipment cleaning and maintenance
• Knowledge of POS systems
• Inventory management
• Customer service and interpersonal communication
• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving

Education

• State Community College: Associate of Hospitality and Restaurant Management
  • Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024

• State High School: High School Diploma, 2018-2022
  • Graduated salutatorian with a 3.87 GPA

Licenses & Accreditations

• ServSafe Food Handler Certification

Why This Resume Works

Despite never working as a barista, this resume showcases many relevant skills that someone stepping into the role would need to succeed.

For example, most hiring managers would be interested in this person’s ability to fill multiple positions, earn high customer ratings, perform closing shift duties in a food service setting, and follow FDA standards for safe handling.

Highlighting your experience in leading multi-person teams also demonstrates that you have a history of high interpersonal skills and excellent communication abilities.

Additionally, it’s proof that you can keep your cool when helping other employees navigate challenging workplace situations.

By cleverly noting barista-adjacent skills, you can easily overcome questions of whether your lack of experience should take you out of the running for a job.

Senior Barista Resume Example

If you’ve already worked as a barista, you likely have plenty of practical and technical knowledge to put you ahead of the running for management and supervisory positions.

Emphasize your experience with handling difficult customer interactions and serving in leadership roles.

Work Experience 1: Downtown Coffee & Bakery – Day Shift Supervisor

• Scheduled, supervised, and delegated tasks to a team of 4 baristas in a high-volume setting
• Trained all new employees in proper brewing techniques, including specialty coffee roasts
• Developed and pre-launch tested monthly specialty drinks, increasing average sales by 15%
• Implemented an in-store customer feedback system, which earned dayshift a 91% customer satisfaction rating
• Managed all inventory, including restocking, reordering, and adjusting according to demand

Work Experience 2: Hot Cuppa Tea Shop – Barista

• Memorized an extensive list of water temperatures and steeping times for more than 30 types of loose-leaf tea
• Spearheaded a new iced tea menu, including marketing and recipes
• Achieved an average customer service time of 3 minutes, 20 seconds per order
• Earned “Barista of the Month” three separate times via customer nomination
• Processed POS transactions and reconciled cash drawers with 0% errors

Project Experience

• Worked with the store owner to develop a streamlined, hands-on training program
• Earned a 96% for a semester-long restaurant opening project during my coursework at Kendall College
• Redesigned menus to create a more efficient customer ordering process

Skills

• Friendliness
• Calm under pressure
• Team management
• Specialty coffee brewing
• In-depth knowledge of proper brewing of a large variety of teas and coffee roasts

Education

• Kendall College: B.A. in Culinary Arts
  • Graduated December 2022, Cum Laude

• Speciality Coffee Association: Completed intermediate coursework in Introduction to Coffee, Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting, and Sensory Skills

Licenses & Accreditations

• Member of the Barista Guild Association

Why This Resume Works

Showcasing your extensive experience in the food and hospitality industry positions you far above entry-level candidates looking for an after-school job.

Strong leaders who don’t require hand-holding will continually earn a second look from employers, as these types of employees can jump right in to keep the business running smoothly.

Another notable feature of this resume is the intermediate coursework from the Speciality Coffee Association.

Sharing that you’ve earned certifications from a large-scale organization relevant to your field proves that you are a self-motivated learner who cares enough about your industry to pursue more knowledge.

It also positions you to bring innovations and ideas to the business owner that they can use to grow their menu or streamline their service.

Starbucks Barista Resume Example

One significant benefit of applying at a coffee chain is that the employee manuals are often available online.

Spend some time reading through the materials and consider what skills, values, and experience Starbucks would value most in their baristas.

Work Experience 1: Noodles Italian Grille – Maitre’D

• Initiated positive customer experiences by enthusiastically welcoming patrons and setting their tables before the meal
• Explained and promoted weekly specials, with a 54% success rate in upselling
• Organized and oversaw seating for large groups, including scheduling reservations, delegating serving tasks, and planning celebratory dessert service
• Reviewed patron dietary needs and communicated these requirements to the kitchen to ensure safe food handling
• Reconciled customer complaints by validating, apologizing, and offering solutions, netting a positive feedback rating of 97%

Work Experience 2: Horton Pharmacy – Cashier

• Assisted customers in locating stock and specialty departments
• Processed multiple payment options, including cash, checks, credit cards, and SNAP benefits, through the POS system
• Directed incoming phone calls to the appropriate department
• Earned multiple awards based on 43% YOY sales growth, 92% customer feedback scores, and 0 tardies throughout my employment

Project Experience

• Initiated a new reservation-taking protocol that catered to dietary restrictions and allergens
• Developed a large-party rotation for a team of seven servers, leading to increased table turnover

Skills

• Prioritization
• Collaboration
• Optimism in the face of adversity
• Customer relations
• Taking and communicating food orders

Education

• Tristar Community College: Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management
  • Graduated May 2017

Licenses & Accreditations

• Dean’s List, 2016-2017
• Mediation and Conflict Resolution Certification through the ESSEC Business School online coursework

Why This Resume Works

One of Starbucks’ most highly valued skills is teamwork, collaboration, and inclusivity, so featuring work experience that requires you to work well with others in an empathetic capacity– such as checking about dietary restrictions before reservations– will appeal to their workplace culture.

It’s also helpful to note any coursework or certifications that can help you navigate interpersonal conflict, as collaboration and friendliness are required in high-volume chain coffee shops.

You might even consider taking a free conflict-resolution class through a trusted online platform, such as OSHA, to further bolster your skill list before submitting your application.

Creative Barista Resume Example

Food preparation is an art and science, and those with culinary aspirations often skip on the more traditional trajectory of going to college before getting a job to pursue their passion in the real world.

Online platforms like YouTube, Etsy, and Twitch have risen as legitimate career pursuits for home brewers and bakers.

Still, it can be challenging to denote your experience as an influencer or home-based seller on a traditional resume template.

Work Experience 1: Milk Art & Marshmallows YouTube Channel – Owner

• Filmed, edited, and published two weekly videos demonstrating various coffee and dessert-based recipes
• Promoted the channel across multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Reddit
• Facilitated audience growth to the tune of 55,000 new subscribers since June 2022
• Collaborated with other similarly-themed content creators to appeal to a larger target audience
• Curated monthly recipe collections for 14,000 Milk Art & Marshmallows paid subscribers 

Work Experience 2: Milk Art & Marshmallows Blog – Owner

• Wrote, edited, and published weekly interactive recipe blogs according to web-design best practices
• Created coordinating graphics to accompany all recipes in Adobe PhotoShop
• Attracted more than 26,000 monthly visitors, of which 33% come from social media links, 48% come from organic rankings, and 29% come through cross-promotions with other content creators

Project Experience: Coffee and Cake Recipe Examples

• Dreamy, Creamy Double Chocolate Cake with Foam Kitty Latte
• Pecan Turtle Brownie Cheesecake with French-Pressed Dark Roast
• DIY Valentine’s Chocolate Box and “I Love You, Darjeeling” Milk Tea
• Springtime Strawberry Shortcakes and Grapefruit-Scented Kenyan Medium Roast
• Stormy Weather Clotted Cream Scones and “When It Rains, It Pours” Cozy Irish Breakfast Tea

Skills

• Pastry arts
• Tea and coffee flavor pairings
• Audience cultivation
• Digital marketing
• Remote and in-person collaboration

Education

• Rosa Parks High School: High school diploma
  • Graduated May 2012

Why This Resume Works

Aspiring baristas with self-taught experience in accompanying culinary areas like latte art, menu creation, and pastry have a prime opportunity to use your channel or blog as a portfolio of work.

As a content creator, you are a small business owner with an impressive array of skills that transcend industries.

Your resume should reflect your passion for teaching yourself how to grow your brand without the help of higher education degrees or big-budget marketing firms.

So, what skills do you bring to the table? You have to be self-motivated to maintain a regular cadence to your content, be attuned to your audience’s needs to keep them engaged, and market yourself as an enjoyable, knowledgeable professional without the help of a digital marketing firm.

All of these skills translate well to a barista position, just as in any role where you can delight guests through your creativity and abilities.  

Speaking of your abilities, you should consider attaching images of your creations to the back of your resume, mainly if the barista position you’re applying for includes curating drinks or creating promotional products.

It’s an excellent strategy for giving employers a more authentic understanding of your practical abilities.

While it might cost a bit extra to print your resume in color, there’s no denying that it’s sure to draw the attention of hiring managers more than another list of work experience and buzzwords.

Boba Barista Resume Example

The global bubble tea market is booming, with a market size of $2.1 billion in 2019, with an estimated 8.9% growth by 2027.

While you wouldn’t be a barista in the more traditional sense, all specialty drink shops require the same basic customer service and food handling skills.

However, the younger customer base offers an opportunity to highlight your experience working with children.

Work Experience 1: Candy Apple Confections – Caterer

• Created a homemade candy bar menu the owner adopted as a regular offering
• Crafted innovative flavor combinations with chocolate, fruit, sugar art, nuts, and other confectionery ingredients
• Promoted new menu items through Candy Apple Confection’s social media accounts
• Elicited client feedback on what types of offerings they’d reorder for future events
• Identified and mitigated menu gaps for clients with dietary allergies, such as dairy, tree nuts, and gluten

Work Experience 2: Gold Star After-School Care – Volunteer

• Managed the behavior and activities of 15 preteen children
• Planned and communicated multi-step instructions at an age-appropriate level
• Provided support and encouragement during complex candy-making tutorials, including tempering chocolate, spinning sugar, and knife skills
• Earned a 98% positive student feedback rating after running a 6-week summer course
• Collaborated with other volunteers to organize multi-class activities, such as field day and etiquette meals

Project Experience

• Created and presented weekly candy-making projects to a group of 10-15 pre-teens
• Rolled out a digital sign-up survey for students to reserve a spot in my class, which remained booked for six consecutive weeks over the summer
• Co-managed a small group of trainee caterers during their first hands-on gig

Skills

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Flexibility
• Solution-oriented thinking
• Calm under pressure
• Interactive and engaging communication

Education

• Gray County High School: High School Diploma
  • Graduated May 2022

Licenses & Accreditations

• Red Cross CPR-Certified
• Red Cross Babysitting & Childcare Training
• Red Cross First Aid Training

Why This Resume Works

Boba tea shops typically cater to a younger crowd, so you’ll want to convey a fun, bubbly personality, high-energy enthusiasm, and plenty of patience.

By highlighting your experience working with kids in laid-back, fun settings, you’re communicating that you actively enjoy interacting with this customer base.

Employers will be looking for these particular skills, as children require a much different customer service experience than their parents.

Catering is another customer service position that prepares future boba baristas for their new role. Many catering companies serve parties, weddings, and other chaotic events with many unknown variables.

People who succeed in those positions are flexible and adaptable, able to quickly respond to a “crisis” while maintaining their composure.

If you’re angling for a job as a boba barista, consider focusing on the work experience that helped you develop soft skills like maintaining your composure, reacting quickly to spontaneous situations, and being an engaging communicator.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include On a Barista Resume

Gone are the days when knowing buzzwords and industry jargon was enough to impress recruiters.

Instead, they’re looking for skills and action verbs that stand out from the other candidates, indicating that you have something extra to offer.

Instead of sticking with ho-hum skills like “team player” or boring verbs like “used,” spice up your work experience with these barista-focused adjectives to list on a resume.

Common Skills for Barista Resumes

• Sanitation
• Relationship management
• Coffee tasting
• Food pairing
• Interpersonal skills
• Cash handling
• Enthusiasm
• Health and safety codes
• Latte art
• Punctuality
• Proper tea brewing
• Juicing and blending
• Flexibility
• Coffee sourcing
• Brewing methods
• Specialty drinks
• Adaptability
• Verbal communication
• Product knowledge
• Poise

Common Action Verbs for Barista Resumes

• Promote
• Recommend
• Describe
• Process
• Sanitize
• Train
• Operate
• Advise
• Deliver
• Anticipate
• Maintain
• Streamline
• Roast
• Brew

Tips for Writing a Better Barista Resume

Resume writing isn’t as formal as crafting a five-paragraph essay or as casual as sending an email to a friend. The process comes with its own unique set of rules that can be a bit confusing to keep straight.

Follow Resume-Writing Best Practices

First, forget what you learned about proper sentence structure. The majority of points on your resume won’t have a subject.

Repeatedly saying “I” at the beginning of each sentence is pointless, so start your work experience sentences with a capitalized action verb and end it in a period, like so:

“Coached more than three dozen trainees through menu memorization and proper sanitation practices.”

When it comes to your skills, skip sentence formatting altogether. Instead, capitalize the first letter of each item on your list, but leave off the ending punctuation:

• Personable
• Collaborative
• Customer-minded
• Tactful
• Organized

Another common question is whether you should use the past tense or present tense.

Most of your resume should be in the past tense, as it’s experience and jobs that you’ve already done. However, your current job can be in the present tense, as it is still ongoing.

Include Hard and Soft Skills

Most recruiters and hiring managers are looking for applicants with a solid foundation of hard and soft skills.

There’s little point in hiring someone who’s a master on the milk steamer if they can’t handle the stress of customer service, and employers want to know that you can bring both to the table.

Hard skills include practical knowledge and industry-specific experience.

Typically, they’re things you learned on the job or through training programs, such as how to work the espresso machine, come up with tempting brew and food pairings, or the basic math it takes to make change for customers.

Soft skills are more akin to personality traits that determine how you interact with people and respond to certain situations. Baristas need to be effective communicators, have excellent problem-solving skills, and collaborate with others.

By showcasing both types, you are ensuring your future employer that you’ll be able to handle the daily ins and outs of your barista role while positively contributing to the overall culture and “vibe” of the cafe.

Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most common mistakes when writing a resume is listing things you did without context or tangible proof.

Strive instead to create a barista resume that tells a story, with plenty of supporting details to illustrate your growth as an employee and the skills you bring to the table.

For example, instead of writing “Learned coffee recipes,” you should pinpoint exactly what you accomplished by saying, “Memorized and executed more than 50 different cold brew, French press, and drip coffee recipes.”

If possible, include metrics like “Achieved a 99% error-free POS score” or “Reduced weekly inventory management times by 36%.”

Not only is it more interesting for the hiring manager to read, but it also enhances your credibility as a capable, intelligent employee that’s not willing to rely on recipe cards when there are thirsty customers to serve.

Stick with the Most Relevant Information

Resumes need to be concise and punchy if you want to make an impact in the six seconds the average recruiter spends looking at each candidate before moving on to the next submission.

You must market yourself, emphasizing the top selling points and leaving irrelevant details on the cutting room floor.

A good rule of thumb is to include the last 10-15 years of work experience, even if your past roles were outside the barista industry.

Otherwise, it will look like you have employment gaps, which often fare far worse for candidates than a few years in a different field.

Significant work gaps can be a red flag for recruiters, as they might indicate that other employers found you unhireable or that you’re no longer as skilled as you once were.

When it comes to your education credentials, it depends on your most recent degree.

If you’ve already graduated from college, there’s no need to tack on high school information, but you should always include all completed and in-progress diplomas or certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still curious about what it takes to write an impressive barista resume? We cover some of the most frequently asked questions about this food service role.

Similar Resume Types to Reference

Barista resumes share many similarities with other customer service roles.

Check these other examples out if you need more guidance as you craft your professional profile.

• Cashier Resume Examples: As a barista, part of your position will likely include cashiering. Demonstrate your understanding of cash handling, POS systems, and balance reconciliation.
• Customer Service Resume Examples: Baristas are one of many customer service roles in the food industry. These examples can help you identify the most desired skills for all public-facing positions.
• Retail Resume Examples: Retail roles prepare you for tactfully handling customers and ensuring their repeat business.

Wrapping Up

Regardless of how long you’ve been in the job force or what roles you’re applying for, resume writing can be a stressful, confusing experience.

By referencing examples, you can create a solid foundation to build your barista resume by emphasizing relevant skills, using eye-catching language, and strategically presenting your professional history.

What did you think of our barista resume examples? Did we help you overcome a hurdle in crafting your CV? Let us know in the comments, and share this article if you think it will help someone else land their dream job.