How to find the perfect barista role
WAKE up and smell the coffee! Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, Brits are still treating themselves to a daily cuppa.
According to analysts Mintel, the coffee shop market is currently worth £3.5bn a year, up from £3bn in 2021.
With more of us working from home and looking for affordable treats, coffee chains are continuing to expand and taking on more staff.
The sector currently has almost 5,000 live vacancies across the UK and can offer flexible work for a wide range of applicants.
If you’re ready to quit the daily grind for a coffee shop role, here’s how it could bean a much better option!
1. Flexibility
Coffee shops have some of the longest opening hours, many from 6am to 7pm, seven days a week.
Whatever shift pattern you need, you’ll be able to find a job to fit.
2. Career progress
A number of top coffee chain execs started clearing tables.
If you have the right work ethic, it’s reasonably easy to work your way up as a barista, manager, regional manager then into top of the C-suite.
3. Hospitality experience
You may not think making flat whites and managing a five-star Caribbean resort have much in common, but they are both in the hospitality industry.
Getting a grounding in a coffee shop will stand you in good stead for applying for other roles across the hospitality spectrum.
4. A job for any age
Whether you are 16 or 70, your local coffee shop needs you.
Barista roles and sociable and you’ll become a key part of your community while learning new skills.
5. The chance to work for a celeb
Leonardo DiCaprio, Machine Gun Kelly and Hugh Jackman are among the A-listers investing in their coffee companies.
The growing trend means more stars will need experienced staff to perfect their brews.
Employment stories
Ready to espresso yourself? Here are the top coffee shop jobs to apply for this week, from Sun Jobs
Shift Leader, Caffe Nero, London
Be the brew boss at this busy London store.
The Job: Caffe Nero is looking for a Shift Leader to work at its busy London Bridge location, to support the running of the store.
What You’ll Do: You’ll be responsible for leading the team, giving great customer service and delivering the very best standards of coffee and food.
It’s up to each employee to keep customers happy through fantastic service while learning and growing in a great team.
You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will have experience as a supervisor or team leader, but applicants with any and all levels of experience are welcome.
Apply Now: See further details of this Shift Leader role, along with other opportunities at Caffe Nero, here.
Team Member, Costa Coffee, Belfast
With 50 years of coffee-making experience, Costa is a great place to begin your career.
The Job: Costa Coffee is looking for a Team Member to work in its store in Belfast’s Kennedy Centre.
What You’ll Do: You’ll get the chance to learn new skills in coffee excellence, receiving full training in delivering every customer an unbeatable coffee experience.
You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and hardworking, flexible and customer-focused with a desire to learn new skills and a passion for coffee.
Apply Now: For more on this Team Member role, and other current vacancies at Costa Coffee, click here.
Barista, Pret a Manger, South West London
Learn all about coffee and much more with this entry-level Pret role.
The Job: Pret a Manger is hiring a Barista to join the team at one of its South West London locations.
What You’ll Do: You’ll work to deliver incredible customer service to every person who walks through the door, keeping coffee standards high.
Both full- and part-time positions are available.
You’ll Need: Previous barista experience is required, along with an enthusiasm for customer service and the ability to work well as part of a team.
Apply Now: Check out this Barista role, and further opportunities with Pret a Manger here.
Discover thousands of open vacancies for jobs all across the UK now on The Sun Job Board