Barista Cover Letter Example

Behind most successful people is a skilled barista who knows their coffee like the back of their hand, and with an estimated 70% of Irish adults drinking more than one cup of coffee per day, working as a barista can be a great way to earn money, improve your skills and kickstart your career.

In this cover letter guide, we'll show you how to write an engaging barista cover letter that gets you noticed and hired faster.

Sections of a barista cover letter

Creating a compelling barista cover letter is a bit like brewing coffee; gather the right elements, mix them well, and serve it up nicely to make a great impression. Before you get started, it’s important to note that your barista cover letter should include the following sections: 

1. Header: Kickstart your barista cover letter by including the date and essential contact details at the top of the page, including your name, email, and phone number.
2. Greeting: Give employers a warm and polite greeting, and use their name when known.
3. Introduction: Start your cover letter with an engaging introduction that outlines your passion for the barista position you're applying for. Use this section to briefly mention relevant professional experience and skills.
4. Body Paragraphs: In the body paragraphs section, you'll want to showcase your best barista skills, achievements, and professional experiences. Here, you can elaborate on your expertise and why you're the ideal candidate for the role.
5. Conclusion: End your cover letter by summarising your key barista skills and achievements, and end with a compelling call-to-action statement.
6. Signature: Conclude with a polite farewell and sign off with your full name for a professional touch.

To effectively highlight your qualifications and skills for the barista position, it's best to limit your cover letter to one page. By keeping your barista cover letter concise, you can provide a clear and focused overview of your barista experience without burdening the reader with any unnecessary details.

You can also review our guide on how to write an effective cover letter for more handy suggestions and cover letter tips. 

Introduction of a barista cover letter

The introduction of your barista cover letter is important, as it sets the tone for the rest of your job application. A captivating and impactful introduction should grab the interest of potential coffee shops, cafes, and employers. 

It's vital that your introduction showcases your professional persona and highlights your specific barista skills and qualifications. You can briefly mention any hard skills or special skills you have that are relevant to the role. 

A strong introduction also helps to establish a connection with the reader. Before you begin writing your introduction, be sure to read the job description thoroughly to identify what employers are looking for. 

The language used in your cover letter should also be formal and professional, so be sure to steer clear of using slang, poor grammar, and overly informal phrasing.

Barista cover letter body

In the body paragraphs of your barista cover letter, we recommend focusing on the following: 

• Highlight any relevant experience in hospitality or customer service roles
• Showcase skills in making coffee, espresso, and other beverages
• Demonstrate ability to provide excellent customer service
• Express enthusiasm for creating delicious beverages and providing exceptional service to customers

First body paragraph: Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)

The body paragraphs of your cover letter are the perfect place to share engaging stories of your professional accomplishments and experiences. 

Here are some helpful tips to help get you started: 

1. Showcase your barista education: Whether you’ve completed formal barista training or acquired hands-on experience through workshops, use your body paragraphs to demonstrate the barista skills you have already developed in your career. 
    
2. Illustrate your creativity and attention to detail: Expand upon any interpersonal skills you may have, including communication skills, leadership skills, and customer service skills. 
    
3. Mention any relevant technical skills: If you consider yourself a master at latte art, flavour profiling, or experimenting with alternative brewing equipment, be sure to describe how your expertise and skills, such as coffee preparation techniques, or familiarity with specialty brewing methods, can set you apart from other potential candidates.

Second body paragraph(s): Alignment with the organisation 

It’s important to thoroughly research the coffee shop or cafe to gain insight into their brand, target customer base, and preferences, elaborating on how your barista skills align seamlessly with the coffee shop's core values, goals, and vision. 

For example, Starbucks Ireland’s values and goals include:  

• Ethically sourcing coffee
• Sustainable practices and taking care of the environment
• Engaging with customers and communities responsibly

If you were applying for a barista position with Starbucks, you could outline your passion for environmentally sustainable practices, or share examples of any community projects you participated in that demonstrate your commitment to service and community engagement. 

No matter where you are applying, highlight the elements of the coffee shop's culture that resonate with you the most. Be sure to tailor your language in the cover letter to showcase how your strong barista background and expertise directly support and enhance their mission and values.

Call to action & conclusion: A flavourful ending

As you conclude your barista cover letter, your final task is to motivate employers to reach out for an interview. 

Express your interest in the barista position and your eagerness to connect soon. Conclude your cover letter with a warm, polite sign-off like "Yours sincerely," or "Best regards," depending on your relationship with the coffee shop or cafe. 

Check out the conclusion example below for additional inspiration.

How to write a barista cover letter with no experience

Barista positions often make great part-time work for students and first-time job seekers. However, today’s openings are becoming increasingly competitive. As a candidate with no direct experience in the position, you’ll need to work a little harder to make sure your application stands out. Luckily, your cover letter is your secret weapon. Here are our top tips: 

• Discuss your relevant soft skills. Baristas often rely on soft skills, such as communication skills, attention to detail, and organisation skills, to create customer satisfaction and a positive atmosphere. 
   
• Mention your desire to learn new skills. Managers know many coffee-making duties can be learned in a matter of weeks, so choosing candidates with the right attitude and willingness to learn is key.
   
• Discuss other relevant volunteer positions or jobs. Mention any previous positions that have allowed you to cultivate similar skills to the ones needed as a barista – things like work ethic, attention to detail, timeliness, communication skills, and flexibility.

Key takeaways

Before you begin crafting your barista cover letter, don’t forget that tailoring your cover letter to show interest in the specific coffee shop or cafe can enhance your chances of securing a barista role.

It’s also important to use a structured approach to cover letter writing, and when applying for a barista position without prior experience, focus on showcasing transferable skills and relevant experiences.

Lastly, pay attention to cover letter formatting as it plays a vital role in presenting a professional image. 

CVapp.ie can help you land your dream barista role with a customisable cover letter. Check out our cover letter builder and kickstart your job search today!