How to find a barista for a cafe or a coffee counter
How much experience do you really need
A barista in a cafe with a constant queue and a barista in a quiet hotel lounge are different jobs. For one, speed on a two-group machine matters most. For the other it is latte art, alternative brewing and the ability to tell a guest about the beans. Before you write a request, decide what you cannot teach in a week and what you can.
The basics are learned quickly: espresso, milk drinks, the till. Grind setting, care of the machine and grinder, and alternative brewing methods need practice. If you do not require experience, write “no experience needed, we will train you”, and those who want to learn will reply.
What to put in your request
- Type of place — cafe, takeaway kiosk, cafe inside a bookshop, restaurant.
- Place of work — city and area, for example Auckland.
- Schedule — 2-on-2-off from 7:00 to 20:00, morning or evening shifts, weekends.
- Salary — pay per shift plus tips, for example $15 per shift + tips.
- Experience — none, or a minimum period.
- Skills — latte art, filter coffee, billing software, stock tracking.
- Employment — formal contract, part-time, side job for a student.
Example request
“A cafe in Auckland, needs a barista. 2-on-2-off schedule from 7:00 to 20:00, $15 per shift plus tips, formal contract. Six months of experience, latte art is a plus. We will train you on our billing system.”
What to ask the candidate
Do not stop at “can you make coffee”. Ask them to describe how they check extraction, what they do when the espresso comes out sour or too fast, and how they clean the group head and steam wand. A person with practice will answer specifically.
If the barista works alone on a shift, check how they cope with a queue and whether they keep the place clean. Also decide who prepares supplies and closes the till at the end of the day, and say so in advance.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You describe the job once, and candidates reply in the chat on their own, telling you about their experience, schedule and expected pay. The request is checked before it is shown, and the site tells you what is missing. You give your contacts only to the one you choose. A request stays active for 7 days and can be edited or extended. Details are on the How it works page.
If you are looking for a barista job yourself
Register as a service provider, choose the category and your area, and you will receive job requests you can reply to. Tell them about your experience and skills. You can also look for floor jobs in waiter / waitress and bartender.
