Possible oral quiz questions for new Barista applicants - Barista Exchange2024-03-29T07:03:23Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A888333&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWe often have applicants new…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-22:1688216:Comment:8883332010-07-22T01:56:01.528ZJohn Walkerhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JohnWalker
We often have applicants new to coffee but not new to hospitality.<br />
We always pick a previous employer at random, ring and ask a single yes/no question, Given the oppurtunity would you re employ this person?
We often have applicants new to coffee but not new to hospitality.<br />
We always pick a previous employer at random, ring and ask a single yes/no question, Given the oppurtunity would you re employ this person? I like your take on this worl…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-22:1688216:Comment:8883072010-07-22T01:22:15.785ZJoseph Robertsonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JosephRobertson
I like your take on this world we here at BX live in. I'm on the same page.<br />
Thank you TampTamp<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<cite>TampTamp Inc. said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A888289&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment888289"><div>The questions I like to ask is what the best coffee they've ever had - if they say something like "a cappuccino," then it's thanks and have a good day. If they mention coffee with…</div>
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I like your take on this world we here at BX live in. I'm on the same page.<br />
Thank you TampTamp<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<cite>TampTamp Inc. said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A888289&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment888289"><div>The questions I like to ask is what the best coffee they've ever had - if they say something like "a cappuccino," then it's thanks and have a good day. If they mention coffee with grandma growing up, then I know I've got a people person. Because to them, coffee is about experience, not ingredients.</div>
</blockquote> Tiger,
Thanks for chiming in.…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-19:1688216:Comment:8862982010-07-19T05:31:39.459ZJoseph Robertsonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JosephRobertson
Tiger,<br />
Thanks for chiming in. Good to hear from you. How are you doing. Working? Pulling great shots?<br />
West coast of USA is good for Baristas. Don't give up. If I was in the position to hire I would for sure talk to you. Keep it up on BX here. This site is working for me and I believe it will work for you as well. I know of at least one who found work through this fantastic networking site.<br />
Best wishes,<br />
Joseph<br />
<br />
<cite>Tiger said:…</cite>
Tiger,<br />
Thanks for chiming in. Good to hear from you. How are you doing. Working? Pulling great shots?<br />
West coast of USA is good for Baristas. Don't give up. If I was in the position to hire I would for sure talk to you. Keep it up on BX here. This site is working for me and I believe it will work for you as well. I know of at least one who found work through this fantastic networking site.<br />
Best wishes,<br />
Joseph<br />
<br />
<cite>Tiger said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A886276&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment886276"><div>I wish I knew places like the ones you all run where I'm from, because I have passion and work ethic and haven't had any luck so far. I'd say don't turn away someone who is visibly disabled just because it seems like they (and by that I mean me) can't do the job. You might be surprised.</div>
</blockquote> This is a very clever approac…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-18:1688216:Comment:8861262010-07-18T23:10:32.070ZJonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Cultivaguy
This is a very clever approach Bob, I'll try it next time!<br />
<br />
<cite>Bob Von Kaenel said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?xg_source=activity&id=1688216%3ATopic%3A881765&page=2#1688216Comment884336"><div>As someone who spent many years in human resources for a large corporation and has conducted literally thousands of interviews, I really like what Cultiva Guy said. Determining a person's work ethic is a huge factor. The hard…</div>
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This is a very clever approach Bob, I'll try it next time!<br />
<br />
<cite>Bob Von Kaenel said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?xg_source=activity&id=1688216%3ATopic%3A881765&page=2#1688216Comment884336"><div>As someone who spent many years in human resources for a large corporation and has conducted literally thousands of interviews, I really like what Cultiva Guy said. Determining a person's work ethic is a huge factor. The hard part is determining if they really do have that ethic or if they're simply able to talk like they have it. A couple of my favorite questions to determine this....<br/> <br/>
1) Describe to me the best boss you've ever worked for and specifically why that person was the best boss.<br/>
<br/>
That question is immediately followed up with....<br/>
<br/>
2) Now describe the worst boss you've ever worked for and why they were the worst, and PLEASE, NO NAMES. Just tell me why they were the worst.<br/>
<br/>
Candidates might wonder why you want information about their previous bosses, but in reality their answers tell me more about themselves than they will ever realize.</div>
</blockquote> A good one it is Joe.
Thanks,…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-17:1688216:Comment:8853892010-07-17T05:29:23.691ZJoseph Robertsonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JosephRobertson
A good one it is Joe.<br />
Thanks,<br />
JR<br />
<br />
<cite>Joe Marrocco said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A885383&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment885383"><div>"Hire for attitude: train for skill" Baristas are a dime a dozen, but great people are hard to find. (Actually, most baristas I know are pretty great people,... But you get my point.)</div>
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A good one it is Joe.<br />
Thanks,<br />
JR<br />
<br />
<cite>Joe Marrocco said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A885383&xg_source=msg_com_forum#1688216Comment885383"><div>"Hire for attitude: train for skill" Baristas are a dime a dozen, but great people are hard to find. (Actually, most baristas I know are pretty great people,... But you get my point.)</div>
</blockquote> "Hire for attitude: train for…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-17:1688216:Comment:8853832010-07-17T05:16:57.635ZJoe Marroccohttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoeMarrocco
"Hire for attitude: train for skill" Baristas are a dime a dozen, but great people are hard to find. (Actually, most baristas I know are pretty great people,... But you get my point.)
"Hire for attitude: train for skill" Baristas are a dime a dozen, but great people are hard to find. (Actually, most baristas I know are pretty great people,... But you get my point.) As someone who spent many yea…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-15:1688216:Comment:8843362010-07-15T20:02:06.364ZBob Von Kaenelhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/BobVonKaenel
As someone who spent many years in human resources for a large corporation and has conducted literally thousands of interviews, I really like what Cultiva Guy said. Determining a person's work ethic is a huge factor. The hard part is determining if they really do have that ethic or if they're simply able to talk like they have it. A couple of my favorite questions to determine this....<br />
<br />
1) Describe to me the best boss you've ever worked for and specifically why that person was the best…
As someone who spent many years in human resources for a large corporation and has conducted literally thousands of interviews, I really like what Cultiva Guy said. Determining a person's work ethic is a huge factor. The hard part is determining if they really do have that ethic or if they're simply able to talk like they have it. A couple of my favorite questions to determine this....<br />
<br />
1) Describe to me the best boss you've ever worked for and specifically why that person was the best boss.<br />
<br />
That question is immediately followed up with....<br />
<br />
2) Now describe the worst boss you've ever worked for and why they were the worst, and PLEASE, NO NAMES. Just tell me why they were the worst.<br />
<br />
Candidates might wonder why you want information about their previous bosses, but in reality their answers tell me more about themselves than they will ever realize. the best, most simple, yet co…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-15:1688216:Comment:8842672010-07-15T18:01:37.032ZSandy Honhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/SandyHon
the best, most simple, yet complex question I ask experienced applicants is to define espresso. Not only describe it to me but how would they describe it for a customer. You'd be surprised how difficult that question is for many.<br />
Their answer to that one simple question is very revealing.<br />
<br />
Regarding non experienced applicants- i ask them what their passion(s) are. i believe if someone is passionate about *something* then they have that <i>one thing</i> i need in a potentially great…
the best, most simple, yet complex question I ask experienced applicants is to define espresso. Not only describe it to me but how would they describe it for a customer. You'd be surprised how difficult that question is for many.<br />
Their answer to that one simple question is very revealing.<br />
<br />
Regarding non experienced applicants- i ask them what their passion(s) are. i believe if someone is passionate about *something* then they have that <i>one thing</i> i need in a potentially great employee.<br />
<br />
Cultiva Guy has it down as well. I also relay in interviews that no one touches bar until everything else is learned. which, in our cafes, means register duties and dishes.<br />
(we don't scrub toilets and floors- cush job for us!)<br />
<br />
While passion does not equate ethics- at least ethics can be taught. Passion on the other hand, cannot IMO.<br />
<br />
(BTW: i really hate snotty baristas that bag on former or current managers- please people, dont do that when looking for a job. that guarantees you a position on the paying customer's side of the bar.) well said. I also hate when s…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-15:1688216:Comment:8842382010-07-15T17:35:58.308ZJoe Smithhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoeSmith
well said. I also hate when shops ask for experience. How do you get experience is no one hires you.<br />
<br />
<cite>Brady said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions#1688216Comment881784"><div>I think attitude, interest, and work ethic are more important than knowledge. You want sponges.</div>
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well said. I also hate when shops ask for experience. How do you get experience is no one hires you.<br />
<br />
<cite>Brady said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/possible-oral-quiz-questions#1688216Comment881784"><div>I think attitude, interest, and work ethic are more important than knowledge. You want sponges.</div>
</blockquote> Joseph, there is a great reso…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2010-07-15:1688216:Comment:8839712010-07-15T12:43:49.136ZJosephhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Joseph57
Joseph, there is a great resource here <a href="http://bit.ly/d4qJQd" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/d4qJQd</a> online at "Coffee Talk" magazine in their "Java U" section. I have found this helpful when interviewing.
Joseph, there is a great resource here <a href="http://bit.ly/d4qJQd" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/d4qJQd</a> online at "Coffee Talk" magazine in their "Java U" section. I have found this helpful when interviewing.