coffee making cover letter

Barista Cover Letter Example & How-To Guide in 2024

You brew the perfect cup of coffee and know your espressos from your lattes.

But when it comes to writing a cover letter, you feel like you're trying to make a cappuccino without milk. Yes, you're a pro behind the counter, but you just can’t seem to sell yourself on paper.

Don't worry, though — we've got you covered. This guide is your ultimate resource for writing a standout barista cover letter that'll get you noticed. 

Here's what we're going to cover:

• What a Great Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Steps to Writing a Great Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips

Let's dive in!

Barista Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Barista Cover Letter

You now know what a top-notch barista cover letter looks like, so you're all set to write your cover letter .

Just follow some simple steps, and you'll craft a letter that's as impressive as your latte art. 

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Kick off your barista cover letter by adding your contact information at the top, similar to what you'd do with your resume . Here's the rundown on what to include:

• Full Name: Your full name should go at the top of your resume.
• Job Title: Be specific about the barista role you're applying for. Hiring managers deal with loads of applications for various jobs, so clarity helps.
• Email Address: Stick to a straightforward email, like a combination of your first and last name. Forget about that quirky email you made years ago. So ditch [email protected] for something like [email protected].
• Phone Number: Double-check the number you list. If you're eyeing a job in another country, include the dial code.
• Location: Just your city and state, or country, is enough. But if you’re open to relocating, mention it.
• Relevant Links (Optional): Feel free to add useful links like your LinkedIn profile or even your Instagram if they showcase your coffee art.

Next, add the hiring manager's details:

• Company's Name: The name of the coffee shop or café you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager’s Name: Do a bit of digging to find this. Look at the job post, the café’s website, or their LinkedIn.
• Title of Hiring Manager: If they're the Café Manager, use that title. Otherwise, “Hiring Manager” works fine.
• Location: The city and state, or country, where the café is located is crucial. You can add the street info if you want to get specific.
• Email Address (Optional): If you can find it, add the hiring manager’s email.
• Date (Optional): Include the date you wrote the cover letter to wrap it up nicely.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After adding all the key contact information , you should tailor the greeting to the person who'll be reading it.

Just remember —- skip the old-fashioned "To Whom It May Concern." A personalized greeting sets a much more familiar tone.

First, do some digging. Look at the job ad, the cafe's website, or their LinkedIn to find the name and email of the person who’s hiring for the barista role. It's a good idea to use formal titles like "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, you can opt for their full name. For instance:

• Dear Mr. Smith,  
• Dear Emily Smith, 

If you hit a dead-end and can't find the bar manager's information, aim your letter at the department or the cafe as a whole. 

• Dear Barista Hiring Team, 
• Dear Human Resources,
• Dear Coffee Shop Staff,

This way, you're covering all bases while keeping it specific enough to show you did your homework.

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers often spend just a few seconds scanning a job application before deciding if it's worth a full read. This means if you want to get their attention, you’ve got to do it from the get-go. 

Start by stating your name and why you're drawn to the barista role. A dash of enthusiasm for the cafe scene or the job itself can make the hiring manager curious to learn more about you.

Doing your homework about the cafe or coffee shop helps a lot. The more you know about the place, the better you can show you'd fit right in. This gives the hiring manager the idea that you're not just throwing your resume everywhere but that you're keen on this particular job.

If you've got some experience, kick off your cover letter with a standout achievement or a skill that makes you ideal for the job.

But keep it brief. Your goal here is to spark the hiring manager's interest, so they'll want to read more.

As you write your cover letter, remember to avoid these cover letter mistakes at all costs!

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your barista cover letter is where you get the chance to delve into your qualifications for the job. 

The key here is not to just echo your barista resume . Instead, use the space in your cover letter to elaborate on how you made specific achievements happen, or even explain an employment gap or how you gained a skill that’s key for the job. 

Use this space to talk about achievements that prove you're great for this role. Refer to the job ad for cues. For instance, if the job ad highlights the importance of "making personal connections with customers," you might mention how you've consistently received positive feedback for your customer interactions in a previous cafe job.

Tailoring your cover letter to the job ad is essential. If, for example, the cafe values speed and efficiency, talk about how you excel in busy environments and give an example. If they mention a "sense of urgency," tell them about the time you managed a sudden rush of orders without breaking a sweat.

Knowing about the cafe or coffee shop you're applying to can give you an edge. If you're already a fan of their particular coffee blend or you admire their commitment to sustainability, say so. This shows you align with their brand and mission.

And don't forget to show your enthusiasm. Make it clear that you're excited about the possibility of working there and that you’re confident that you bring the right skills to make a real impact.

If you want to get even more inspired, check out our cover letter examples in this article. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Nailing the conclusion of your barista cover letter can seal the deal. This is your final shot at leaving the hiring manager with a good taste in their mouth. No pun intended. 

Finish your barista cover letter by summarizing your strong points. Maybe you excel at making complicated espresso drinks or you're great at connecting with customers in a busy cafe setting. Briefly remind them why you're the one for the job.

Finally, invite the hiring manager to take action, like setting up an interview to meet personally. This shows you're proactive and eager to move forward. A line like, "I'm excited to discuss how my barista skills could benefit your team" could get you a meeting.

End on a professional note. Sign off your cover letter with a simple but respectful line, followed by your full name. 

Feel free to reach out to me at the given email or phone number to arrange an interview. I'm eager to dive deeper into my application when it's good for you.

And, if "cheers" feels too casual for you, here are some alternatives:

• Best regards,
• Thanks for your time

Remember, the way you wrap things up can make a big difference. Make it count.

3 Essential Barista Cover Letter Tips

Now that you've got the basics of cover letters down, let's fine-tune yours with some must-know cover letter tips for aspiring baristas. These tips are real game-changers.

#1. Match Your Resume

Ready to brew up a career as a barista?

Make sure your cover letter vibes with your resume. If they don't match, you might come off as unorganized and not attentive to details.

Your information should be clear and crisp on the page, with matching fonts all the way through. And while you're sorting it out, adjust those edges and the space between lines. 

Your cover letter? Think of it like the perfect cup of coffee - best served in one neat pour. Good luck!

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Feeling pressed for time? 

Use our free resume builder to create the perfect barista resume and grab one of our cover letter templates to save time and effort. 

All our templates are designed to fit your resume seamlessly. And guess what? Hiring pros from across the globe helped craft them. You'll be industry-ready and looking sharp. Easy peasy!

#2. Be Enthusiastic

Let's talk about vibes. 

A cover letter that radiates enthusiasm can set you apart. It sends a clear message: you're not just looking for any job, but you're excited about this one. Hiring managers can sense that. Confidence, passion for the coffee industry, and a positive outlook can make your application stand out in a sea of average letters.

But hold on; there's a fine line. You want to show enthusiasm, not come off as a fanboy or fangirl of the company. Excessive flattery can make you seem disingenuous. 

So, keep it balanced. Your enthusiasm should be about the role and how you fit into it, not just about how amazing the company is. 

Also, be mindful of coming off as overconfident. You want to express that you’re ready to take on the job, but you don't want to sound like you've already got the job. Keep your enthusiasm genuine and focused, and it'll serve you well in the hiring process.

#3. Keep It Relevant

Time is of the essence, especially for hiring managers swamped with applications. That's why your cover letter should get to the point - right away. 

It's not a platform to share your life story or every job you've ever had. Focus on the essentials that make you the right fit for the barista role.

Being concise shows you respect the hiring manager's time. It also suggests you can identify what's most important. That's a valuable skill, especially in a fast-paced café environment. So stick to relevant experience and skills. If you've got a knack for customer service or have barista training, highlight that. 

In short, a focused and concise cover letter signals to employers that you understand the job and its requirements. So keep it tight and relevant. It'll make a difference.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap on the perfect barista cover letter! We hope our example will inspire you to create one that lands you your dream gig right away. 

Before you start writing, though, here are some key takeaways from the article: 

• You should kick off your barista cover letter by including your and the bar manager’s contact information. Make sure your information is factual; otherwise, the bar manager won’t be able to reach out for an interview. 
• Make sure the opening paragraph of your barista cover letter is captivating if you want the hiring manager to read the rest of your cover letter. 
• Use the body of your cover letter to elaborate on your top accomplishments and skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. 
• Make sure to add a call to action at the end of your barista cover letter. This might motivate the hiring manager to give you a call or arrange an interview. 
• Last but not least, double-check that your barista resume and cover letter match in terms of style and visual appearance. If you don’t have time to align all those elements together, then simply pick one of our free resume templates and a cover letter template to match it perfectly.

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3 Barista Cover Letter Examples to Get Started in 2024 

• Barista Cover Letter
• Barista No Experience Cover Letter
• Starbucks Barista Cover Letter
• Write Your Barista Cover Letter

What’s that gorgeous aroma? It must be the latte you’re whipping up for the next customer in line! Or is that a specialty tea from the seasonal menu? Either way, all your coworkers know they can count on you to handle transactions and keep up with sanitation as effectively as you serve each guest with a smile.

But how do you create a cover letter that packs in all that incredible value? What will make your accomplishments as a barista sound their best?

After helping baristas like you for years, we’ve put together some time-tested tips, three barista cover letter examples , and our free cover letter generator to help you get that dream job—pronto!

Barista Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

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Block Format

Copy this text for your barista cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Austin, TX 76208 (123) 456-7890

September 10, 2023

Lucas Rossi Austin Travis County Integral Care 123 Fictional Lane Austin, TX 76208

Dear Ms. Hill,

As an individual deeply fascinated by the world of coffee and the finer nuances of espresso extraction, I invest my weekends experimenting with creative latte art, and perfecting milk texturing, while exploring one-of-a-kind coffee spots around Los Angeles. This isn’t merely a pastime for me—my heart finds great joy in this artisanal craftsmanship. Now, I’m excited to bring this same warmth and passion into my role as your new barista at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

At my previous gig at Cafe Gratitude, I got into the grove of espresso extraction, latte art, and milk texturing, using high-quality equipment like La Marzocco espresso machines. Through tireless dedication and meticulous practice, I consistently produced visually appealing and flavorful beverages that contributed to a 62% increase in loyal customer base and a 16.3% boost in sales.

Working downtown at the Pie Hole allowed me to meet a host of coffee fanatics just starting their journey as baristas. I loved being the go-to person, advising them on the artistry and technicality of espresso and latte crafting. My heart swelled with pride when we reduced training time by a whopping 67%. Furthermore, our patrons seemed to love our work, as customer satisfaction scores rose by 4.7%.

In addition to my experience and skills, working as a barista at Blue Bottle Coffe in Santa Monica revealed the importance of maintaining excellent teamwork and communication among staff members. I took the initiative to introduce weekly team meetings to assess performance, fostering a 6.3% increase in efficiency and an 11.8% bump in customer satisfaction rates.

With my robust coffee-making experience, in-depth knowledge of espresso extraction, and proven track record in team development, I’m confident in my ability to contribute to the success of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as a skilled Barista. I look forward to discussing how my passion and expertise can enhance your customer’s coffee experience and contribute to the enriching atmosphere of your establishment.

Kira Ivanov

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation Certifications

Why this cover letter works

• More importantly, prove your competence, highlighting how your skills and previous work experiences match the job requirements. Better yet, narrate an instance where you nurtured beginner baristas.

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Pair Your Cover Letter with a Matching Barista Resume

or download as PDF

Barista No Experience Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your barista no experience cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Chicago, IL 60018 (123) 456-7890

Avery Jones Dunkin’ 123 Fictional Lane Chicago, IL 60018

Dear Mr. Jones,

I dedicate my free time to learn and explore various brewing methods and the specifics of Point of Sales (POS) systems. This self-educational pursuit stems from a profound admiration for the transformative power of a well-brewed coffee experience. With this passion and inherent knowledge, I’m thrilled to apply for the entry-level barista role at Dunkin’, a brand I’ve grown to admire and respect.

As a part-time cashier at Andersonville Galleria, I managed the register, handled cash transactions, and maintained accurate account records. Despite only being a part-time role, my dedicated approach helped achieve a 3.7% reduction in cash discrepancies. A volunteer program at Caffé Streets familiarized me with the intricacies of grinder operations and POS systems. This experience allowed me to master the art of using a commercial coffee grinder to produce a variety of grind sizes.

As a library assistant at Harold Washington Library Center, I constantly interacted with a diverse clientele, honing my interpersonal and communication skills. This role enhanced my ability to manage customer needs efficiently, skills I’m confident translate seamlessly into a barista role at Dunkin’.

I look forward to using this self-acquired knowledge and skills to elevate the coffee experience for Dunkin’s customers in Chicago. Thank you for your time, and I hope to connect with you soon.

Akio Tanaka

• While you lack professional experience in this field, refer to instances where you effectively applied transferable skills like communication, customer services, interpersonal, POS systems, and coffee equipment. Subtle casualness is excusable here.

Starbucks Barista Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Starbucks barista cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Denton, TX 75001 (123) 456-7890

Mia Davis Starbucks 123 Fictional Lane Denton, TX 75001

Dear Ms. Davis,

Starbucks’ humble beginnings at Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market in 1971, selling fresh-roasted coffee beans and aromatic spices, have inspired my journey in the field. As an experienced barista with deep-seated skills in Espresso preparation and dialing-In, and milk steaming, I’m incredibly excited to further your mission of providing the authentic Starbucks’ experience from your Denton, TX store.

As a senior barista at Denton’s passion-driven local fave, Duino Coffeehouse, I was responsible for consistently rendering quality beverages and ensuring our guests receive an unmatched coffee experience. I was diligent in dialing-in our espresso machine, resulting in a 43% decrease in beverage preparation time. Moreover, I introduced innovative textured milk steaming techniques, contributing to a 37% improvement in customer satisfaction.

My stint at Jupiter House allowed me to fully understand the importance of latte art in elevating the coffee experience. I creatively enhanced our latte presentations, increasing our Instagram followers by 49% over a period of 9 months and significantly boosting in-store visits.

But it’s not just about serving coffee. At Café Brazil, I channeled the Starbucks spirit of nurturing humanity through a community project. By hosting charity events with loads of fun latte art competitions, we raised $6487 for local charities, and our customer engagement shot up by 32%.

I look forward to bringing my skill set, innovative mind, and commitment to exceptional customer service to Starbucks. As a passionate advocate for coffee culture, I’m eager to contribute to Starbucks’ commitment to quality and community engagement. Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my experiences in greater detail.

Youssef Abidi

• Attention to detail in brewing beverages, ability to multitask (taking orders, engaging customers, and making coffee), and customer skills are key to solidifying your candidacy. A subtly casual, friendly tone is welcome.

Related cover letter examples

• Customer Service
• Entry Level

How to Brew Your Perfect Barista Cover Letter

Just as you make each drink to order, your cover letter should match the “flavor” of each company you apply to! Pay attention to how the job description and company site are written and reflect any standout keywords like “unmatched coffee experience” or “Point of Sales.”

It’s worthwhile to do a bit of homework and investigate any social media accounts to learn more about the coffee shop you’re interested in. See what their values are, so you can show how you already jive with them!

Writing a memorable greeting and intro

Your greeting is like the “handshake” of your barista cover letter, so it should address a person directly. Again, it’s worth the added homework to find a name! Who, exactly, is hiring?

Your opening paragraph should also slip in a couple of your qualifications for why you fit their open job role to hook the reader: They should want to see what else you can pull off with those brewing skills!

What you don’t want is to come across as unenthusiastic with no clear qualifications, like in this opener:

Looking . . . not good:

Hi to whoever’s hiring, I’m stoked to work at your cafe; I really like coffee. I make it a lot too so I’d be great at this.

This next opener is way better at demonstrating an eagerness to learn and work as part of a specific company’s team. It also lays out why the applicant would be great at the role!

This one’s a winner!

I dedicate my free time to learning and exploring various brewing methods and the specifics of Point of Sales (POS) systems. This self-educational pursuit stems from a profound admiration for the transformative power of a well-brewed coffee experience. With this passion and knowledge, I’m thrilled to apply for the entry-level barista role at Dunkin’, a grand I’ve grown to admire and respect.

Writing awesome body paragraphs

Your cover letter is for telling a story about how your professional journey has led you through successful milestones that make you the ideal hire today. Remember when your attention to detail and efficiency as a barista made a big difference.

Work some credentials in there too, if you have them. Something like a Food Safety Manager Certification will make your letter way more compelling! But one of the most important details that will transform your stories of rush hours and seasonal menus is metrics .

When you use metrics like employee ratings, customer satisfaction percentages, and budget savings, your body paragraphs say way more about the difference you’ve made at work.

Example of a well-rounded body paragraph

Pull a body paragraph from one of the cover letters above (doesn’t have to be the same cover letter that you got the opener from)

Closing and signing your barista cover letter

Your closing paragraph is for all your finishing touches. Much like the whipped cream on top of a blended drink, things just wouldn’t be the same without it! Start off by giving one last, super-quick overview of your skills, sort of like you did in your intro.

Use the closing paragraph to present a call to action by asking the reader to contact you for more details. You can also take this opportunity to thank them for the time they spent reading your letter.

If not, say thank-you as your professional signoff. If you chose to say so in the closing paragraph instead, use a different formal signoff.

Don’t be vague, informal, or disorganized in your closer:

Thanks I hope I can work with you soon. I’ve been making coffee forever so I can start soon.

This closing paragraph addresses the company and its values, and describes alignment with them before expressing enthusiasm for the role that invites further contact:

That’s better!

With my robust coffee-making experience, in-depth knowledge of espresso extraction, and proven track record in team development, I’m confident in my ability to contribute to the success of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as a skilled Barista. I look forward to discussing how my passion and expertise can enhance each customer’s coffee experience and contribute to the enriching atmosphere of your establishment.

You can add a little line that reads “Enclosures:” and then list whatever you include! This could be your barista resume , professional letters of recommendation, original application sheet, or copies of additional certificates.

This is another job for the job description ! Check it over again and really try to match that tone. Are they an upscale establishment? Are they an artsy local coffee shop with open mic events?

Do some investigation and see what the company posts about, what they believe in, and what defines them. Look for ideas, values, or pieces of inspiration that you resonate with and use them to lead into what makes you a unique, good fit.