Starting a mobile coffee business can be a rewarding and profitable venture, but finding the right baristas to help you bring your vision to life is crucial. Your baristas will be the face of your business, interacting with customers and making the coffee that keeps them coming back for more. Here are some tips on how to hire baristas for your mobile coffee business.
Create a Clear Job Description
The first step in hiring baristas is to create a clear job description that outlines the responsibilities of the position, the skills and qualifications required, and any other important information such as hours of operation and pay rate. This will help you attract the right candidates and ensure that they understand what is expected of them.
Look for Relevant Experience
When reviewing resumes and applications, look for candidates with relevant experience in the coffee industry. While prior barista experience is a plus, it’s not always necessary. Candidates with experience in customer service, food and beverage, or hospitality can also be strong candidates. Look for candidates who are passionate about coffee and eager to learn more about the craft.
Conduct a Phone Screening
Before inviting candidates for an in-person interview, it’s a good idea to conduct a phone screening to get a sense of their communication skills and personality. This is a good opportunity to ask about their availability, experience, and what they know about your mobile coffee business.
Schedule In-Person Interviews
Once you’ve identified a few strong candidates, it’s time to schedule in-person interviews. This is your chance to get to know the candidate better, assess their technical skills, and gauge their fit with your mobile coffee business. Be sure to ask open-ended questions that allow the candidate to share their experiences and insights, and give them a chance to ask questions as well.
Conduct a Coffee Tasting
Conducting a coffee tasting during the interview process is a great way to assess a barista candidate’s technical skills, coffee knowledge, and passion for the craft. This is also an opportunity to see how they approach different brewing methods and how they handle customer requests for customisation.
To conduct a coffee tasting, you will need to prepare a selection of coffee beans and brewing equipment. You can choose to provide the candidates with a brief on the coffee selection, including the origin, roast level, and tasting notes. You can also choose to blind taste the candidates to see how they identify and describe the coffee without any preconceived notions.
During the tasting, observe how the candidate prepares the coffee, including their technique, attention to detail, and speed.
- Are they able to grind and dose the coffee accurately?
- Do they follow proper brewing protocols for the chosen brewing method?
- Do they take the time to explain the coffee’s flavor profile to you?
These are all important factors to consider when evaluating a candidate’s technical skills.
Beyond technical skills, also pay attention to how the candidate interacts with you during the coffee tasting.
- Do they show enthusiasm and passion for coffee?
- Do they engage with you about the flavors and aromas they are experiencing?
- Are they able to communicate the differences between the different coffee offerings?
It’s important to keep in mind that a coffee tasting can be nerve-wracking for candidates, so be sure to create a comfortable and supportive environment for the tasting. You can also consider providing feedback and guidance to help candidates improve their coffee-making skills.
In summary, conducting a coffee tasting is a valuable tool in assessing a barista candidate’s technical skills, coffee knowledge, and passion for the craft. By observing their technique, attention to detail, and ability to communicate about the coffee they are brewing, you can make an informed decision on whether they are the right fit for your mobile coffee business.
Check References
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of candidates, it’s important to check their references. This can help you verify their work history, get insights into their strengths and weaknesses, and ensure that they have a positive track record with previous employers.
Make an Offer
After you’ve completed the interview process and checked references, it’s time to make an offer to your top candidate. Be sure to outline the details of the job, including pay rate, hours of operation, and any other important information. Make sure the candidate understands their responsibilities and what is expected of them.
In conclusion, hiring baristas for your mobile coffee business is a crucial step in building a successful and sustainable operation. By creating a clear job description, looking for relevant experience, conducting phone screenings and in-person interviews, assessing coffee-making skills, checking references, and making a solid offer, you can find the right baristas to help you bring your vision to life.