The role of a barista is far more than just making coffee. It’s about creating memorable customer experiences, mastering the art of coffee preparation, and contributing to the smooth operation of a café or coffee shop. Baristas are often the first point of contact for customers, making professionalism, efficiency, and a positive attitude crucial. In the UK, barista salaries typically range from £18,000 to £25,000 annually, with opportunities for tips and progression into supervisory or management roles. Crafting a standout CV is essential to landing your dream position and setting yourself apart from other candidates.
Understanding the Job Description
When creating a barista CV, it’s vital to understand the core responsibilities. These typically include:
Preparing and serving coffee and other beverages to a high standard
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the café area
Managing inventory and stock levels efficiently
Offering excellent customer service and resolving complaints politely
Handling cash and card transactions accurately
Following health and safety guidelines rigorously
Highlighting these responsibilities on your CV shows potential employers that you are ready to meet the demands of the role. Use action verbs such as “prepared,” “served,” “managed,” and “delivered” to make your experience sound proactive and results-driven.
Why a Strong CV Matters
A well-structured CV example can make the difference between securing an interview and being overlooked. Employers often spend less than a minute scanning a CV, so clarity, readability, and relevance are paramount. A tailored CV demonstrates your attention to detail and understanding of the barista role, immediately signalling that you are serious about the position.
Barista CV Template Example
Here’s a CV template structure to help you get started:
Personal Information
Include your full name, contact details, and professional social profiles (like LinkedIn). Keep this section concise and professional.
Professional Summary
Write 3–5 lines summarising your experience, key skills, and career goals. For example:
“Energetic and customer-focused barista with 3 years’ experience in fast-paced coffee shops. Skilled in espresso preparation, customer service, and team collaboration. Seeking to bring creativity and dedication to a new café environment.”
Key Skills
Highlight skills relevant to barista work:
Espresso and coffee machine operation
Latte art and beverage preparation
Customer service excellence
Cash handling and POS operation
Inventory and stock management
Time management and teamwork
Professional Experience
List roles in reverse chronological order, with achievements and responsibilities for each. Use bullet points for readability. Example:
Barista – The Coffee Hub, London
Jan 2021 – Present
Prepared high-quality coffee and specialty drinks for 200+ customers daily
Trained new team members in café procedures and customer service standards
Maintained cleanliness and stock control, reducing waste by 15%
Education and Qualifications
Include formal education, relevant certifications, and training:
Level 2 Barista Certificate, Barista Training Academy
GCSEs or equivalent
Additional Information
Languages, volunteering, or any awards relevant to hospitality can be added here.
Tips for Graduates
If you’re just starting out, focus on transferable skills and any work experience in hospitality, retail, or customer service. Include part-time roles, internships, or volunteering that demonstrate your reliability, communication skills, and ability to work in a team. Even hobbies can be framed to highlight soft skills like time management or creativity.
Advice for Middle and Senior Management
Experienced baristas or those aiming for supervisory roles should emphasise leadership skills, team development, and operational management. Quantify achievements: for example, “Managed a team of 5 baristas, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 20%.” Highlight experience with stock management, scheduling, and training.
CV Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
Tailor your CV to the barista role and café environment
Keep formatting clean and professional
Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible
Include relevant keywords for SEO and ATS compatibility, such as “barista,” “customer service,” and “coffee preparation”
Don’t:
Include irrelevant personal information
Use long paragraphs—stick to concise bullet points
Lie about experience or qualifications
Forget to proofread for spelling and grammar errors
General CV Structure and Advice
A strong barista CV template should have:
Clear headings and subheadings
Concise descriptions of experience and skills
A professional, positive tone
Keywords relevant to the barista role, café work, and hospitality
Remember, your CV is your first impression. Make it count with a professional layout, strong language, and tailored content.
Final Encouragement and Call to Action
Creating a barista CV that stands out is entirely possible with the right structure, wording, and attention to detail. Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced barista aiming for a managerial position, a polished CV can open doors to exciting opportunities. If you want expert guidance to craft a CV and LinkedIn profile that truly impresses employers, book an appointment with me today. Together, we’ll make sure your CV reflects your potential and helps you land the interview you deserve.
Book your appointment now
and take the first step toward your dream barista role.
