Need some guidence... - Barista Exchange2024-03-29T14:21:34Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A620684&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI started at my first coffee…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-14:1688216:Comment:6206842009-09-14T19:03:47.161ZAmber M.https://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AmberM
I started at my first coffee job very recently, about a month and a half ago. I got my job nearly a year after I first applied there, because it's a small, local shop. But what got me the job was that I had been going, and developing a report with the owner and baristas, as well as a love and knowledge of coffee for a year previous to that. I even interviewed my now boss, about 6 months before I first applied at the shop, for a project in my Business 101 class. It really is all about showing…
I started at my first coffee job very recently, about a month and a half ago. I got my job nearly a year after I first applied there, because it's a small, local shop. But what got me the job was that I had been going, and developing a report with the owner and baristas, as well as a love and knowledge of coffee for a year previous to that. I even interviewed my now boss, about 6 months before I first applied at the shop, for a project in my Business 101 class. It really is all about showing your interest and passion for the art of making espresso and espresso drinks. If you apply somewhere where they already recognize your face, your drink, and know a bit about you, you are likely to be remembered when your resume and cover letter pop up in the pile once it comes time to hire. Best of luck! Thanks to everyone for their…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-14:1688216:Comment:6205742009-09-14T17:31:06.315ZJohn Wilsonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JohnWilson
Thanks to everyone for their input.! I have started to correlate a plan with your advice. I was already volunteering at something else that weekend of the NWRBC but what the hey, I went ahead and signup to volunteer at NWRBC. I guess I'm not expressing myself enough in the 5 second pre-interview...:) I need to try harder! I had already decided to go to school after I got a barista position but It will not hurt since I have time to do so. I was thinking about going to this school in seattle…
Thanks to everyone for their input.! I have started to correlate a plan with your advice. I was already volunteering at something else that weekend of the NWRBC but what the hey, I went ahead and signup to volunteer at NWRBC. I guess I'm not expressing myself enough in the 5 second pre-interview...:) I need to try harder! I had already decided to go to school after I got a barista position but It will not hurt since I have time to do so. I was thinking about going to this school in seattle <a href="http://www.seattlebaristaacademy.com/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx">http://www.seattlebaristaacademy.com/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx</a> . Does anyone have opinions about this school? I also join up with meet-up.com and found they also have a coffee group that meets up and goes around to try different coffee/tea. I agree with a lot of what is…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6191612009-09-13T22:29:24.730ZMaggie Cookhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/MaggieCook
I agree with a lot of what is being said....<br />
I'm also new to the industry- I started about 8 months ago. The shop I work at is a little atypical (we have a very small staff so personality and <i>ability</i> to learn is more important than experience) but I think you can apply what I did to your interest.<br />
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Attack from behind! Learn the shop, get to know the employees, learn the menu, show them you're interested in coffee and knowledgeable about it. THEN ask about an application and talk to a…
I agree with a lot of what is being said....<br />
I'm also new to the industry- I started about 8 months ago. The shop I work at is a little atypical (we have a very small staff so personality and <i>ability</i> to learn is more important than experience) but I think you can apply what I did to your interest.<br />
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Attack from behind! Learn the shop, get to know the employees, learn the menu, show them you're interested in coffee and knowledgeable about it. THEN ask about an application and talk to a manager instead of just handing in the app. to whoever's working.<br />
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Remember, the more you know about and study before you start a job, the quicker you will learn and the happier everyone will be! For instance: if you know the technique of pulling a shot and how big it is, and how many shots the shop you're going to work at puts in each of their sizes (And what they call their sizes :D) think how much easier it will be to learn/ to prove you mean business/for them to train you! whatever dude....
miKe mcKof…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6191402009-09-13T21:45:03.170ZEd Viserhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/EdViser
whatever dude....<br />
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<cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence#1688216Comment619009"><div><cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A618993&x=1#1688216Comment618959"><div>I agree with Ed.</div>
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Oops, meant I agree with Andy...</div>
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whatever dude....<br />
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<cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence#1688216Comment619009"><div><cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A618993&x=1#1688216Comment618959"><div>I agree with Ed.</div>
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Oops, meant I agree with Andy...</div>
</blockquote> Get experience...no matter th…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6191392009-09-13T21:42:39.739ZEd Viserhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/EdViser
Get experience...no matter the venue.
Get experience...no matter the venue. track down the person in char…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6191322009-09-13T21:34:39.440ZChris/Dalehttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/ChrisDale
track down the person in charge and offer to volunteer for a few days NWRBC, cleaning stations, getting ice , washing dishes... if i were looking over your application and saw that it'd at least get you an interview.<br />
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Nothing says "I'm serious about this" like a couple of days of volunteered grunt labor.
track down the person in charge and offer to volunteer for a few days NWRBC, cleaning stations, getting ice , washing dishes... if i were looking over your application and saw that it'd at least get you an interview.<br />
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Nothing says "I'm serious about this" like a couple of days of volunteered grunt labor. I generally don't hire someon…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6191232009-09-13T21:22:36.152ZBryan Wrayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BryanWray
I generally don't hire someone with experience, unless I know the place they previously worked has a solid training program. It's so annoying to have to de-program a robot barista.<br />
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That being said, I think it depends on what type of place you are trying to get into, honestly. Where are you and what are the shops you are looking at? The reason I ask is this: If I were to look down and see that you had no experience, but had attended the ABC Coffee School, I would hire you then and there. If I…
I generally don't hire someone with experience, unless I know the place they previously worked has a solid training program. It's so annoying to have to de-program a robot barista.<br />
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That being said, I think it depends on what type of place you are trying to get into, honestly. Where are you and what are the shops you are looking at? The reason I ask is this: If I were to look down and see that you had no experience, but had attended the ABC Coffee School, I would hire you then and there. If I was a giant chain, I probably wouldn't give a rat's @$$ about some coffee school I had never heard of.<br />
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The next time you apply for a job at a shop, ask them when their next public cupping or educational seminar or whatever is coming up. Stress you interest to learn about the aspects of the coffee world that you don't yet understand. You'll turn heads.<br />
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If you have the funds and are planning on applying at the right places, a school is a great idea. If you don't, just hit the streets with resumes in hand.<br />
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Not sure about attending NWRBC... I've been to tons of barista competitions/CoffeeFests/SCAA Expos and the WBC last year in Atlanta and the one thing that they all had in common for me was that they are geared toward people ALREADY in the industry. It isn't a job fair for potential baristas so I'm not sure it would really benefit you. HOWEVER, you are already in the area. The one thing that this competition will do is open your eyes to how passionate and broad the coffee industry is and how nice and great the people are. Take a friend along, it's no fun going to someone else's party and not knowing anyone there. If you can spare the time to go, I would go. If you can spare the money for ABC Coffee School, I would go. If none of these things are a possibility then just keep hitting the streets and stress your passion and interest.<br />
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-bry miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinn…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6190092009-09-13T18:20:43.498ZMike McGinnesshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/miKemcKoffeeakaMikeMcGinness
<cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A618993&x=1#1688216Comment618959"><div>I agree with Ed.</div>
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Oops, meant I agree with Andy...
<cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A618993&x=1#1688216Comment618959"><div>I agree with Ed.</div>
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Oops, meant I agree with Andy... Baristas don't make enough mo…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6189932009-09-13T17:52:13.334ZKasey Klimeshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KaseyKlimes
Baristas don't make enough money for dropping cash on coffee school to make sense to me... But I totally agree with Andy and Mike, go to NWRBC - Coffee is a relatively small industry, and who you know can often be just as important as what you know.
Baristas don't make enough money for dropping cash on coffee school to make sense to me... But I totally agree with Andy and Mike, go to NWRBC - Coffee is a relatively small industry, and who you know can often be just as important as what you know. Totally agree with Mike, NWRB…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2009-09-13:1688216:Comment:6189892009-09-13T17:47:10.612ZAndy Atkinsonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AndyAtkinson
Totally agree with Mike, NWRBC would be immensely helpful for you. The amount you can learn if you are really paying attention is ridiculous. Also the barista community is huge, but at the same time small, if you know what I mean. Especially within regions, a lot of the baristas (and even more so with the communities surrounding regional events such as competitions and jams) know each other. Becoming part of this community is probably the most valuable asset you can attain for yourself. Go to…
Totally agree with Mike, NWRBC would be immensely helpful for you. The amount you can learn if you are really paying attention is ridiculous. Also the barista community is huge, but at the same time small, if you know what I mean. Especially within regions, a lot of the baristas (and even more so with the communities surrounding regional events such as competitions and jams) know each other. Becoming part of this community is probably the most valuable asset you can attain for yourself. Go to NWRBC, meet people, party with people, learn everything you can, and above all maintain your passion for coffee. The community connections you can make there are worth way than technical skill.<br />
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Oh and have fun.<br />
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<cite>miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/need-some-guidence#1688216Comment618959"><div>I agree with Ed. Experience isn't necessarily as important as a passion for coffee and a good attitude. Great technical barista skills with poor attitude won't cut it, skills are teachable. Keep dropping in shops you like. Hang around observing and learning and chatting. Don't be a pest, but be a pest if you know what I mean! Develop relationships.<br/> <br/>
Since I believe you're in the Seattle area make sure you attend the <a href="http://members.scaa.org/train/rbc/northwest/default.aspx" target="_blank">NW Regional Barista Competition</a> coming up in two weeks. Hang out for the whole three days. Meet people, watch the competitors. Develop relationships...</div>
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