Top 8 Traits That a Successful Barista Needs to Have

If you are looking for a job and really like coffee, you might have already thought about becoming a barista. However, even though you might be able to land an entry-level position at a well-known coffeehouse chain with ease, that does not mean that you will end up being a successful barista. 

Why is that the case? There are quite a few traits that every successful barista needs to have. If you do not have them, you will find working as a barista really difficult. We’ve teamed up with HotShot Sleeves to tell you more about them.

In this article, you will find a list of traits that you need to have if you want to become a successful barista, ranging from the ability to multitask and stay calm under pressure to friendliness and attention to detail. Check it out!

Ability to Multitask

Every single barista must be able to multitask. If you can’t work while doing more than one thing simultaneously, you will have a lot of problems. Why is that the case? Because this is precisely what successful baristas do.

They have to pay attention to all of their clients, brew coffee and make sure that everything is just right in their stores. And they have to do these things at the same time. Is working under pressure something that you can do? If so, then being a barista is something that you should seriously consider.

Patience

Being a barista requires patience. Not all customers know what kind of coffee they would like, so you should prepare for situations where you may need to slowly explain the differences between various coffee types. If you don’t think you can handle that, then maybe you should look for a different source of income.

Friendliness

We have already mentioned that being a barista requires patience. However, if you are a friendly person, you will find it much easier to deal with rude customers. You might be thinking: “Why is that the case?” Well, because most people behave much better and are much friendlier when they are around nice people.

Ability to Work Independently and Solve Problems

If you want to become a successful barista, you need to know how to work independently. That way, your supervisors won’t have to deal with every single problem that arises in your store. And keep in mind that every issue counts and can cost your company a lot of money.

Needless to say, if you are unable to solve problems on your own, you will have a hard time becoming a successful barista. The best baristas know how to deal with any situation that arises in their stores. They know what to do when they run out of ingredients, or there is too much traffic in their stores. 

Desire to Learn New Things Every Single Day

This trait goes hand in hand with working independently. In order to become a successful barista, you need to learn new things every single day. You need to keep an eye on the latest trends in the coffee industry and try new methods and techniques. That way, your store will never get boring for your customers, ensuring they come back.

Ability to Take Criticism

If you want to become a successful barista, you need to be able to take criticism without getting offended. No matter how hard you try, there will always be something that you can do better next time. And even though constructive criticism can help you get better at your job, it can also hurt your feelings and make it harder for you to do your job. You need to learn how to take criticism without taking it personally.

Strong Will Power and Determination

Becoming a successful barista takes time and hard work. It’s not something that happens overnight or even after a few months or years. If you want to become one, you need to have strong determination and willpower. You need to be able to push through and stay focused until the very end, no matter how long it takes for you to achieve your goals. If this is something that you can do, then becoming a successful barista is not out of your reach. 

Ability to Adapt to Different Situations and Customers

You also need to be able to adjust quickly to different situations and customers. This way, you can make sure that everything runs smoothly in your store. The best baristas know how to adapt quickly and deal with any situation as soon as it arises. 

Conclusion

Becoming a barista is one thing. The other is making your career successful. The first one is relatively easy. After all, everybody can learn the basics of coffee making. However, without specific skills and traits, you won’t achieve success as a barista. 

In our article, we mentioned eight things every barista needs to have. If you believe you meet these requirements, then your dreams of having a successful coffee-making career may come true. 

If not, then maybe it’s best if you look for a different line of work. 

Photo by Afta Putta Gunawan from Pexels