Interview Tips for Specialty Coffee Roles
From trial shifts to cupping tests — how to prepare for coffee industry interviews.
Expect a practical element
Barista roles almost always include a trial shift or practical test: dial in an espresso, steam milk, serve a queue. Roastery interviews may include a cupping or a production roast observation.
Ask ahead what the practical involves — it's a normal question and shows you're taking it seriously.
Know their coffee
Visit the café or taste the roastery's coffee before the interview if you can. Being able to say something specific — a roast profile you noticed, an origin on the menu — separates you from every generic applicant.
Follow their social accounts; referencing a recent launch or event shows genuine interest.
Prepare questions that matter
Good questions: How is training structured? What does progression look like here? How does the team give feedback on the bar?
For roastery roles: What's the green buying philosophy? Who signs off on profiles? How much of the role is production vs. development?
Attitude beats latte art
Skills can be taught; reliability and warmth cannot. Hiring managers consistently say they choose the candidate who'll be great at 6:30am on a rainy Tuesday over the one with the flashiest pour.